(Source: The Day)
By Lee Howard, The Day, New London, Conn.
April 07--A new partnership between the state Department of Labor and the region's work force-development agency will allow scores of local residents -- and as many as 1,000 statewide -- to take a wide range of online courses at no charge.
Labor Commissioner Glenn Marshall said Wednesday that his department and the Franklin-based Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board have collaborated in offering 90-day access to online courses for residents currently using CTWorks Career Centers, including those in New London, Norwich, Danielson and Willimantic.
About 5,000 job seekers identified as most in need of online training will receive e-mails and get access to a learning portal with more than 5,000 courses from which to choose.
"Getting our residents back to work is a priority for this state, and by providing education and skills-based learning, our goal is to help job seekers increase their marketability to potential employers," Marshall said in a statement.
John Beauregard, executive director of the local work force board, said the pilot program will help those who have been looking for work unsuccessfully over a long period.
"It's an innovative and cost-effective project partnership ... to help the unemployed who may be facing skills-gap issues as they seek to move off unemployment," Beauregard said in a statement.
Metrix Learning is making the courses available to job seekers in English, Spanish and Chinese. The courses, which teach such popular programs as Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, as well as areas of interest such as information technology, business and health care education, are being provided by Skillsoft and Medcom Trainex.
The online training allows those taking courses to proceed at their own pace. In some cases, courses can lead to certifications or college credits.
The Labor Department said participants should have a valid e-mail address and computer access, though they can also use machines at local CTWorks centers or at libraries.
Questions about the free courses, and messages from people seeking to get on the program's waiting list, should be sent by email to Metrix@etiworks.com. The online training will be available to invited job seekers on a first-come, first-served basis.
l.howard@theday.com
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