October 9, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC Announces 'JobsNOW' Schedule for Spring
Certificate Programs Designed to Retrain Workers Quickly

             SALISBURY, N.C. — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will offer a spring schedule of "JobsNOW" certificate programs in a number of career fields starting in January 2010. As part of the statewide "JobsNOW 12-in-6" initiative, RCCC's programs will provide unemployed adults the opportunity to be trained in a new career in no more than six months.

              JobsNOW is an initiative requested by the Gov. Beverly Perdue, developed by North Carolina community colleges and funded by federal stimulus dollars through the Division of Workforce Development in the N.C. Department of Commerce. The objective of JobsNOW is to quickly train workers to re-enter the job market in fields that are in demand locally and across the state.

              In addition to receiving the training needed to start a new career, those completing a JobsNOW program will receive Career Readiness Certification (CRC). The CRC is a national program that helps job applicants show proof of their basic skills to employers. The certificate is a portable credential, allowing job searchers to use it anywhere in the United States to demonstrate their competence in key foundational skills.

              RCCC has received $350,000 in federal money to develop JobsNOW training programs and pay instructors to teach the courses. Students are currently enrolled in RCCC JobsNOW programs that began in September and October. The college will offer five more programs during its 2010 spring semester.

              Normal North Carolina community college tuition rates apply. However, some JobsNOW education and training funds are available for unemployed persons through local Workforce Development Boards.

              RCCC's spring semester JobsNOW certificate programs are:

• Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration - classes begin in March and May;
• Office Systems Technology/Administration - classes start in January;
• Tax Preparation/Accounting - classes start in January;
• Welding Technology - classes begin in March; and
• Wiring and National Electric Code (NEC) - classes begin in February.

             Any person who wants to enroll in a JobsNOW program at RCCC must attend a JobsNOW workshop, conducted free-of-charge by the college's R3 Center. The center will offer numerous workshops in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.

              For more information about RCCC's JobsNOW programs and to register for a JobsNOW workshop, call the R3 Center at 704-216-7201. The R3 Center is located at 164 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., in Kannapolis. See also information on the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu/jobsNOW/.

              "RCCC is proud to offer JobsNOW programs," said Ann Morris, RCCC JobsNOW project director and dean of corporate education. "These time-condensed and highly intensive certificate programs will give local individuals a great opportunity to learn new skills and move into a career field in which jobs are currently available.

              "Anyone who has an interest should contact RCCC's R3 Center as soon as possible, and attend a JobsNOW workshop," Morris added.

               RCCC is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. RCCC is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System.

                RCCC offers fully-accredited associate-degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, and engineering technologies. RCCC also offers accredited diploma and certificate programs focused on career training, continuing education and basic skills education. RCCC provides a strong foundation and transferable credits for students moving on to four-year colleges and universities and helps adults get the additional training they need to start new careers.

               RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an overall enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.