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QCC’s Free Course Offerings Fast Track Students to In-Demand Careers
Contact: Karen Hutner
Office of Institutional Communications
khutner [at] qcc.mass.edu
Release Date:
10/28/2021
WORCESTER, MA—October 28, 2021 —Quinsigamond Community College will begin offering close to two dozen free entry-level career training programs in the coming months. This innovative programming format is being offered through a new Fast Track Skills Academy, from QCC’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.
The Fast Track Skills Academy is designed for individuals who have been displaced from the workforce, or had their jobs affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will focus on trainings that are designed to get people back into the workforce in three months or less, and provide upskilling and/or reskilling for incumbent workers whose jobs have changed or been eliminated due to COVID 19.
“People from low-income households, recipients of public assistance and those lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fast Track Skills Academy is an investment in our community and an opportunity to remove barriers keeping individuals from bettering their lives,” said Kathleen Manning, dean of the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education. “Programming in the Academy will focus on meeting individual student needs, by providing a variety of educational programming for all types of learners that is designed to equip individuals with skills that will allow entry into and progression along a career pathway. I encourage those who are interested to reach out soon as limited seats are available and classes are filling fast.”
The following programs are enrolling now with many starting soon:
MS Office Certificate: Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
Personal Care Assistant (PCA) (Offered in English): Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
Ophthalmic Assistant Program: Classes will run in Worcester.
Veterinary Assistant Certificate: Classes will run in Worcester.
Personal Care Assistant PCA (Offered in Spanish): Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
- Medical Administrative Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Medical Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Software Developer: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Nurse Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Front End Software Developer: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Real Estate Sales Person: Classes will run in Worcester.
“Supporting individuals in today’s new world means delivering them workforce readiness skills, technical skills, and competencies that are necessary for them to build a more desirable future for themselves and their families,” said QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D.
Recognizing that students come to QCC at a different educational levels and career stages, the Fast Track Skills Academy is designed to meet individuals where they are on the education and career continuum. Certain programs will be delivered in Spanish and all career prep programing will include the BOUNCE program, a wrap-around soft skills workforce readiness training program, intensive planned coursework, training, and/or work experience that leads to attainment of industry-recognized skills, credentials and job placement. Courses are primarily offered in-person, with several offered in either a hybrid or online format.
In the coming months additional free programming opportunities will be available that focus on high priority, in-demand jobs in the industries of Healthcare/Social Services, Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology.
Individuals interested in enrolling in one of the fast track programs must attend a mandatory virtual information session. Check the information session box on www.QCC.edu/fasttrack or call 508.751.7900 for information session dates and registration.
For more information on upcoming free courses such as:
- Basic Manufacturing Technician
- Google IT Help Desk Technician
- Registered Behavior Technician
Visit www.QCC.edu/fasttrack or call 508.751.7900.
For more information about QCC, contact Karen Hutner, Publications/Press Manager at 508.854.2842 or khutner [at] qcc.mass.edu
Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.