Free program offers skills
Published 10:12 pm Thursday, June 16, 2011
WCCS’ free “Ready-To-Work” program is every Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until noon inside the school’s former bookstore. It provides job skills and training in such areas as basic computer skills, interview, resume and cover letter writing. -- Desiree Taylor
Are you looking to revamp your resume, tighten your interview and computer skills or gain valuable job training? Then Wallace Community College-Selma’s “Ready-To-Work” job skills and training session may just be the very thing to help get your foot in the door.
Held inside WCCS old bookstore building, the free training sessions take place every Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until noon.
Shandra Smith, project director for the program, said with last year’s 88 percent success rate, the program has become even more appealing to the public.
“Our numbers have doubled in the past six months, and people realize they need to sharpen their skills to gain better employment,” Smith said. “The program remedies the tough time in employment and people feel like if they can get a leg up either by going to school or getting a certification, they’ll do it.”
Smith also said the program has seen more men in recent months than usual.
“We’re not just seeing people recently out of high school but more mature people with excellent work history,” Smith said. “We’re seeing some who are looking to return to school or who are considering retirement in a couple of years but want to work instead.”
The program will award training certification in Alabama Certified Worker, Career Readiness Credential and WIRED Advanced Manufacturing Production. Students can receive training in such areas as basic computer skills, interviewing, resume and cover letter writing, time management, problem solving and decision making, basic blueprint reading and conflict resolution.
The program’s equipment and materials, Smith said, is made possible through federal funding, designed to encourage students to be successful on any job.
“We can assist students with the right kind of support for a job and serve as a reference to equip people with what they need,” Smith said. “In addition, we teach students how to interview and present themselves successfully. ”
To register for the Ready-To-Work program, call 876-9377 or come to WCCS’ former bookstore to pick up an application.
