Greenville Technical College’s Quick Jobs with a Future program celebrates its 15-year anniversary November 10 with a special open house at the Buck Mickel Center. Offered through the Economic Development and Corporate Training division, Quick Jobs allows working adults, or those in occupational transition, to quickly obtain skills matching the needs of local business and industry.
Several Quick Jobs graduates will share their success stories and representatives from local vocational and community service agencies will present information on available resources for course funding and social support. The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. with a tour of the training facility.
Begun in 2001, the short-term job training program was created as a community response to numerous workers being laid off from their often long-time positions in the Upstate’s textile industry and other manufacturing plants.
“’Adults need a way to get back on their feet and find jobs quickly’ was the charge from then-GTC president Dr. Tom Barton,” said Steve Hand, Quick Jobs Director, who has served in this capacity from the beginning. “To date, over 34,000 individuals have benefitted from our program and are now successful completers. This program has remained a vital tool for community and personal economic development.”
Today, the program has grown to more than 40 different short-term training and certification courses. All are skills specific and job preparatory and many last only three months or less. Programs are available in health care, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, environmental health and occupational safety, computers, business, and creative careers.
With a 91% course completion rate, educational training barriers have been reduced by offering small classes that simulate the real world, taught by compassionate, seasoned instructors. Classes are held at convenient times and locations, and at prices that are affordable. Typically, courses are offered in three-hour day or night intervals to help adults keep up with their busy lifestyles.
Thanks to strong community partners and the Greenville Tech Foundation, Quick Jobs students are able to receive sponsorships and scholarships as these continuing education programs are not eligible for federal and state financial aid. Some employers even provide tuition reimbursement for training. Childcare and transportation funding are available through programs including SHARE, United Way and even smaller community programs such as the new Foothills Family Resources in Slater/Marietta.
Hand encourages adults in occupational transition to contact him or come to a monthly open house at the Buck Mickel Center to learn more about these short-term job training programs. He is often able to help students with scholarships. It is his personal mission to help people realize they can change their lives through education and career training.
“When you’re under the stress of unemployment, or you haven’t worked in 17 years because you were at home raising your children or you were laid off from a longtime job, and the bills are coming in, there is the fear of the unknown. We see that all of the time. I understand it; it’s normal,” said Hand. “We have many, many times helped students overcome that fear. They take some skills-specific training in a three-month or six-month period of time that matches the needs of business and industry and they find success, and that helps. They have hope. Some have even gone on to earn a college degree.”
To reserve your seat at the open house and to learn more about the college’s Quick Jobs program, visit www.gvltec.edu/quick-jobs.