The City
of San Antonio has awarded a $217,000 grant to the San Antonio College
Women's Center to continue the Connections Training and Employment
Program, which provides free training in administrative and medical
assistant fields to qualified, low-income individuals to help them
achieve economic self-sufficiency. Those interested should contact
the SAC Women's Center office at 210-785-6409 to see if they qualify
for training sessions that will begin in January.
"This grant provides a wonderful opportunity for us to help
more people in our community get the skills they need to be successful
in the workforce and at the same time earn college credit that can
be applied toward a future degree," said Dr. Helen Vera, Women's
Center Coordinator. She also said more people will qualify this
year than ever before due to the expansion of income eligibility
criteria.
In 2003, the Alamo Workforce Development Board recognized the Connections
Program with the "Excellence Through Innovation Award."
Since its inception in 2000, the program has trained more than 250
women, who have had a 95 percent completion rate and an 83 percent
employment rate.
The six-week Administrative Office Assistant Certificate program
will be offered Jan. 10-Feb. 18 and again Feb. 28-April 15. Students
who successfully complete this course will earn six hours of college
credit.
The eleven-week Medical Office Assistant Certificate program will
be offered Feb. 7-April 29, and will earn students 13 hours of college
credit.
Both tracks offer Life and Employability Skills training and job
search assistance to help ensure the successful employment and retention
of every student. Textbooks, supplies and transportation assistance
are among the many support services that will also be offered.
To qualify for the program, students must have a high school diploma
or Graduate Equivalency Degree (G.E.D.), type 20 words-per-minute,
meet income eligibility criteria, and successfully complete an assessment
administered by the Women's Center.
For more information on this free program, call 210-733-2299.
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