Monday, March 15, 2010

CPCC receives additional stimulus funding to serve more displaced workers

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) announced today that it has
received $85,000 in new federal stimulus money from Governor Perdue's
JobsNOW program, an initiative that strives to provide workers with
job training skills in six months or less. As a result, CPCC will
create nine new fast-track job training courses which will help more
than 150 additional displaced workers complete job training faster.
Classes will be available to the public now through the end of the
year, and will focus on such in-demand fields as healthcare, transport
technology, motorsports and office administration.

In August 2009, CPCC received $500,000 in federal stimulus funding
from the Governor's JobsNOW program, the funding is supported by the
Federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the N.C.
Department of Commerce, the Division of Workforce Development and the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (WDB). These funds
helped the College develop close to 15 fast-track programs that have
succeeded in preparing students for careers in welding, sustainable
manufacturing, autobody painting and refinishing, and others.

"Our fast-track classes have been a tremendous asset to the local
community and workforce," said Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of CPCC.
"Since last summer, more than 750 individuals have completed our fast-
track programs, gaining invaluable job skills and the competitive
advantage needed to succeed in today's workforce. The new state
funding will allow us to serve even more local residents and produce
trained professionals who are ready to enter the labor force."

CPCC's fast-track classes are open to any individual paying tuition.
Persons who qualify for Workforce

Investment Act (WIA) funding as a displaced worker or meet the WIA
Adult Services Program requirements may take these classes free-of-
charge. To apply for WIA assistance, individuals must meet certain
criteria and complete the "Eight Steps to WIA Funding" being offered
through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (WDB).
Interested individuals can visit www.cpcc.edu/changingcareers for
information on the steps to funding.

To view a complete list of available fast-track programs, visit www.cpcc.edu/changingcareers
or call 704.330.2722 for more information.

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in
North Carolina, offering close to 300 degree and certification
programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing

education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically,
financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of
Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named
CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the
workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers
through innovative educational and training strategies.

Funding for the JobsNOW 12-in-6 program is supported by the Federal
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the N.C. Department of
Commerce, the Division of Workforce Development and the Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (WDB).