EPCC’s
Workforce Development serves El Paso’s needs by training unemployed
displaced workers and under-employed people for jobs. The Workforce
Education Course is aimed at providing specialized training and services
to meet the needs of businesses and industries in the El Paso region.
The purpose of the Workforce Education Course is to improve the economic
well-being of the community at public two-year colleges. The department
does research to find out the needs of each community and provides
classes to meet these needs, emphasizing on providing students with
education and occupation.
“We focus on training them and getting them jobs” said
Yolanda Chavez, A.V.P. workforce development and lifelong learning.
Yolanda
Chavez A.V.P. workforce development and lifelong
learning, is dedicated to finding employment opportunities for students.
Photo by Pan Chudabala
Customized
Training is one of the programs offered by the workforce training
program. It has a flexible schedule to provide for the specific demands
of businesses in El Paso. Classes are customized to meet the needs
of the companies, employers and organizations in the area. Some of
the courses offered are: electronics, warehousing, computer skills
and language skills.
New classes are created each month. Courses can be redesigned to provide
maximum benefit to the community.
“Since there’s no big degree plan, we can be very flexible,”
said Chavez.
Community sponsors plan to invest in the program by providing funding
to the construction courses. In this process, students will construct
buildings then take them to the contracted sites to be installed.
Once the building is sold, the contractor receives the invested money
back.
“This is a win-win situation for everybody,” says Chavez.
Students receive hands-on training as well as opportunities preparing
them for a professional career. Students obtain a certificate of completion
and after graduation, job placement is available.
The Continuing Education Department (CED) offers a variety of other
non-credit courses, for all ages, to continue a student’s learning
experience. Students who participate in and complete courses that
award CEUs receive a certificate documenting that may be necessary
for promotion, certification or licensure.
“I would like to encourage students to look into what our department
has to offer,” said Sandy Walker, Admission and Registrar.
For more information go to www.epcc.edu/workforce.
