TCC partners with Goodwill Industries – Big Bend to bring training to residents
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Tallahassee Community College is expanding its partnership with Goodwill to include the College’s Be Essential initiative. TCC2WORK Be Essential focuses on connecting people unemployed and impacted by the COVID-19 crisis gain training in an “essential” area of the workforce that is in demand.
“We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with Goodwill,” said TCC President Jim Murdaugh. “We are certainly all experiencing tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, the College will be able to better serve the needs of our community by providing them valuable training to reenter the workforce.”
As part of the agreement, Goodwill will make 50 scholarships available that are tied to their Google partnership. The scholarships are associated with two programs, Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the Google Python Certificate. The Google courses are among many programs being offered through the TCC2WORK Be Essential initiative that provide cutting-edge virtual courses, hands-on labs and much more. The wages associated with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate start around $20 per hour and $28 for the Python Programmer Certificate. Interested individuals must meet specific requirements which include but are not limited to the following:
Being18 years or older upon enrollment
Negatively impacted by COVID
Have sufficient computer skills to complete the course, measured by a digital literacy assessment.
At least 9th grade English and math skills
Have a high school diploma or be enrolled in a program that will result in a diploma or GED before completing the Google IT course
Not have a four-year or higher college degree
Be able to commit to 3-5 months for 8-10 hours per week
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Additionally, the Google Python Programmer Certificate requires:
Being 18 years or older upon enrollment
At least 50 percent of participants must live in a household under 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines
At least 9th grade English and math skills
High school diploma or be enrolled in a program that will result in a diploma or GED before completing the Google IT course
At time of enrollment, education must not exceed high school diploma or equivalent
Recommended to have completed an entry-level tech support, such as the Google IT course, A-plus Certification, or similar
Able to commit to 2-3 months for 25 hours per week
Final determinations regarding program eligibility will be determined by Goodwill.
“Goodwill Industries – Big Bend is proud to serve as a key stakeholder for TCC’s “Be Essential” Community Reemployment Plan. Together, we are able to combine resources and quickly meet the needs of those who have lost jobs because of COVID-19,” said Fred G. Shelfer, Jr. CEO/President of Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc. “Providing critical job training and placement has always been the focus of Goodwill’s mission and TCC continues to be a community leader that we can count on to help reach more people in changing lives through the power of work.”
Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc. (GIBB) has served individuals with any type of disability or life barrier by providing education, training, work experience and job placement services for more than 50 years. GIBB spends 85 percent of its budget on programs and services.
“Partnerships have been and will continue to be important to TCC and how we deliver services in the community,” said Kimberly A. Moore, Vice President for Workforce Innovation and TCC2WORK/Be Essential. “There are no limits to what can be accomplished when you unite around the common goal of supporting our community, our partnership with Goodwill Industries – Big Bend is just one example.”
For more information on the partnership, contact 1-833-TCC-JOBS or workforce@tcc.fl.edu. Individuals may also apply directly for the scholarships by completing the TCC2WORK Be Essential Survey at tcc2work.com/beessential and enter the word “Google” as the training area of interest.
