Wednesday, March 18, 2009

EDC, OCTC create Workforce Re-training Partnership


The EDC and three other agencies have teamed to create Training HQ, a program to quickly retrain laid-off workers for other jobs that are still in high demand.  Most dislocated workers will qualify for free training using federal stimulus funds, the agencies said Tuesday during a news conference at the Greater Owensboro Commerce Center.

Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owens-boro Economic Development Corp., said the partnership allows the community to "offer training quickly to workers looking for new or better jobs."  How the community reacts to the current recession and its rising unemployment rate will determine how well it succeeds in the future, Brake said.  

Cindy Fiorella, vice president of workforce development for Owensboro Community & Technical College, said Training HQ will offer "short term training for quick jobs."  Programs offered include advanced manufacturing skills, electrical and mechanical maintenance, welding, emerging team leader, medical coding specialist, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, certified nursing assistant and National Career Readiness Certificate.  The college is offerring a free seminar about the program is scheduled for 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Advanced Technology Center on OCTC's main campus.




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