TriadCareers.com

Recently GTCC announced that it will expand its popular Quick Jobs program in an effort to help get more unemployed Triad residents back to work fast. We asked Bob Plain, the school’s Business and Industry Services  program coordinator, to explain what Quick Jobs is all about.

What is the Quick Jobs with a Future program?

In 2003 several organizations came together to explore ways to link displaced workers in our county with assessment, counseling and specialized training to get them back to work within 90 days. Since then the program has attracted more than 3,500 people to information sessions, developed curriculums around 34 occupations, and has served over 2,300 students in 250 classes.

How long does it take to complete most courses?

Quick Jobs courses are designed to be completed in 90 days or less. Classes meet three or four times a week for three to six hours per day.

Is it a certification program?

Successful completion of a Quick Jobs course results in a Certificate of Successful Completion documenting the skills of the particular occupation in which the student has attained proficiency. This certificate is issued by GTCC. The courses are typically 100 hours or more, and there are defined rules for attendance and competency. All Quick Jobs courses also offer the opportunity for students to gain a Career Readiness Certificate.

How has the program evolved since its inception?

The employment market has changed dramatically in the past five years. On average, workers change jobs every two to three years, and change careers three to five times in their lifetime. They need to continually keep up their current skills to compete for other jobs in their field, and acquire new skill sets to successfully launch second careers.

Due to the current economic climate, there are a number of industries laying off workers and downsizing their operations in Guilford County. Workers are struggling to quickly acquire the job-specific skills for new careers, while employers in growth industries such as health care, supply chain, and new-technology manufacturing are demanding trained candidates ready to contribute from the get-go. These current conditions call for a cooperative effort to reintroduce the Quick Jobs program to the public. Our new goal is to double our current enrollment.

What jobs does the program prepare people to do?

Programs are built around occupations that have current openings and offer future growth potential. A few examples of these occupations are credit/collections specialist, medical receptionist, nursing assistant, legal administrative assistant and automotive maintenance technician.

Is it a set curriculum, or is it tailored to different job types?

The courses focus on the occupation’s specific skills, but all courses include employability skills training in communication, accountability, responsibility, technology, information gathering and problem solving.

What is the cost?

The registration cost and fees are typically $68 to $98 a course. Books and supplies run $100 to $200. Some Quick Jobs courses can be paid for through the Workforce Investment Act, funding from local JobLink centers or other local agencies. Quick Jobs courses do not qualify for typical student financial aid.

GTCC’s Quick Jobs with a Future program offers training in several occupations, such as medical receptionist (pictured), that takes less than 90 days to complete. The school announced recently that it will upgrade and expand the program’s courses.