WCC Initiates N.C. Back-to-Work Program - Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC

WCC Initiates N.C. Back-to-Work Program

Wayne Community College has received a grant for technical job training.

The State Board of Community Colleges provided the $92,045 grant to the college’s Continuing Education Division to implement the N.C. Back-to-Work program.

The program was established by the N.C. General Assembly, which earmarked $5.9 million for community colleges to provide training for entry-level technical jobs for unemployed and underemployed North Carolinians over the next year.

The N.C. Back-to-Work initiative at Wayne Community College will provide Certified Production Technician (CPT) training that addresses the core technical competencies of higher skilled production workers in all sectors of manufacturing.

Completion of the short-term CPT training program will provide participants a nationally-recognized, portable credential, as well as employability skills.

The program consists of three components: orientation, Certified Production Technician training, and job search training. The first three-course set will be offered 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 6-March 27 and another will be held 5-9 p.m., Feb. 3-June 25.

“The goal of the CPT certification program is to raise the level of performance of production workers both to assist the individuals in finding higher-wage jobs and to help employers ensure their workforce increases the company’s productivity and competitiveness,” said WCC’s NC Back-to-Work Project Coordinator Thaddeus B. Washington.

The college has partnered with several local manufacturers who have agreed to interview participants who complete the program with credentials. Some of those manufacturing partners are Mt. Olive Pickle, General Industries Inc., AAR Mobility Systems, AAR Cargo Systems, and Franklin Baking Company.

The program targets the unemployed, underemployed, military veterans, transitioning military personnel and NC National Guard/Reserve members. Wayne County’s unemployment rate, currently at 8.4 percent, is higher than the 8 percent state average.

All applicants must have either a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma to be eligible for the program.

The grant covers tuition, fees and materials for eligible students, as well as provides individualized career plan assistance.

For more information, contact Washington at (919) 739-6948 or tbwashington@waynecc.edu or visit www.waynecc.edu/continuing-ed/nc-back-to-work-program.

Wayne Community College is a public, two-year college with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, it serves 15,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 100 college credit programs.

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