Wilkes Community College is pleased to announce that we have been approved to participate in the 2019-2020 Bridge to Career Cohort Pilot program through the SECU Foundation.
“SECU members understand the importance and impact that continuing education has made for so many North Carolinians – it’s an important part of the Foundation’s ‘People Helping People®’ scholarship program,” says Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation Executive Director. “We’re very excited about enhancements that have been made in the transition to the SECU Bridge to Career Program, further helping our state and its citizens as they work to build a better economic future for themselves and their families.”
Wilkes Community College will receive funding for thirty $500 scholarships as well as up to $3,000 in funding for a designated college staff member to navigate scholarship recipients through the educational process, from choosing a defined career pathway to class registration and job placement. Our approved training programs include HVAC, Certified Production Technician and our Healthcare Academy.
“We are excited to partner with the SECU Foundation to provide students the opportunity to train or retrain for new careers in areas where we know there are jobs available. Since these pathways are available through WCC’s Workforce Development division, the $500 scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition for students, as well as help them pay for supplies and external certifications. It is a tremendous opportunity for students to gain in-demand skills that lead to well-paying jobs and a brighter future,” stated Chris Robinson, WCC vice president of Workforce Development and Community Education (WDCE) and the Ashe Campus.
Established in 2018, the program was designed to remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state regulated or industry recognized credentials that will lead to a sustainable wage career within their local communities.
“I am so thrilled that the SECU Foundation recognizes the terrific opportunity our short-term training programs offer to people who want to improve their skill set to earn a higher wage in the new economy. We have dozens of great opportunities where students can invest a relatively small amount of time and money to see a significant increase in their earning potential,” stated Dr. Jeff Cox, WCC president.
Recipients must be enrolled in a short-term training program of 96 hours or more that leads to a state-regulated or industry-recognized credential, must be a U.S. citizen and North Carolina resident, and be a part of one of the following target groups — unemployed, underemployed, member of the NC National Guard, military veteran or spouse or underserved populations in a specific workforce sector or area.
For more information about the Healthcare Academy, contact Misty Marshburn at 336-838-6214; HVAC program, Curt Miller at 336-838-6230; or Certified Production Technician, Chris Bare at 336-838-6405.
About SECU and the SECU Foundation: A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 81 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves over 2.3 million members through 265 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of more than $154 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.