CVCC to add job training programs with stimulus money

If you've wanted to get into the certified nursing assistant program at Catawba Valley Community College but the program was full, you may have a chance this summer.

CVCC recently received $102,000 in additional federal stimulus money through North Carolina's JobsNOW program.

It received $350,000 for the program last year.

JobsNOW is designed for students to get trained for a new career at community colleges in six months or less. It is aimed toward people who have lost their jobs due to recent layoffs or plant closures.
When CVCC began the program last year, it offered just two tracks: maintenance technician and manufacturing training, said Mark Norris, program coordinator. However, when Fiserv announced it was opening a customer care center in the area, CVCC added a customer service-training component to it in December.

"We were contacted by the state earlier this year to see if any community college needed additional money, and we said yes," Norris said. "Money was collected from community colleges that didn't use all of theirs, and was redistributed to colleges that requested it. In mid-February, the state said we would get more money."

He said that community colleges in areas with higher unemployment, like Catawba County, received a larger amount of money.

When CVCC learned it would receive more money, it selected five additional JobsNOW programs: certified nursing assistant I, automotive technician (introduction), refrigeration certification, plant (horticulture) technician certification and pesticide application preparation.

"We talked with the workforce development group, which provides data for who's hiring," Norris said. "We also talked with department heads at the school, to see where the jobs are that are avail-able, like CNAs. We also looked to see what neighboring community colleges are offering, to see that jobs are available in those tracts, and to see if those students are being hired."

Although CVCC received stimulus money, students still have to pay for tuition for the classes.

"The stimulus money pays for the salary and the support," said Wes Bunch, vice president of business affairs at CVCC.

All students' tuition goes back to the state, which comes back to the community colleges when they receive their budgets from the state.

CVCC received five new positions when it received its initial stimulus money, said Norris, including his position.

With the five additional programs, there will be no new full-time faculty, but some part-time faculty that will be hired, said John Enamait, associate dean for the school of business, industry and technology at CVCC.

He said part of the stimulus money regulations stated the community colleges could not use the money to help pay for students' tuition.

However, those who apply for the program can apply for financial assistance.

Norris said even though students must pay for the classes, they can still reap the benefits.

"The benefit to this program is that classes are accelerated for some of the programs," Norris said. "Students will also have an extra certificate in their portfolio."

The certificate Norris is referring to is the career readiness training all the students in the JobsNOW program are required to take. An extra class, it teaches students how to locate and retrieve information, as well as use applied mathematics, Norris said.

"It teaches people how to succeed and survive in today's market," he said. "The certificate's earned on three levels: gold, silver and bronze, for three different levels of job skills. They have to take a test on it and pass on the job skills."

Anyone interested in the program can come to CVCC on April 28. They can apply and complete the registration process from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a four-hour open house.

For more information on the open house or how to receive financial assistance, you can contact Norris, at 327-7000, ext. 4590, or mnorris@cvcc.edu.