Ozarks Technical Community College will receive an additional $231,730 in SkillUP Missouri funds to provide free job training and employment opportunities to individuals who receive Food Stamp benefits.
SkillUP Missouri is a program piloted by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division and University of Missouri Extension. The program is a component of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Family Nutrition Services (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Earlier this year, OTC received $272,270 in SkillUP Missouri funds with the initial goal of enrolling 60 individuals in free college training and certificate courses. Due to high program interest and enrollment, the college is set to quickly eclipse its initial goal of 60 students. With the added $231,730 in funding, OTC plans to recruit an additional 50 students for the program by Sept. 31, 2017.
Individuals who receive Food Stamp benefits may inquire about the SkillUP Missouri program at any OTC location or Missouri Job Center locations in Springfield and Branson. Those who qualify for the program will have the opportunity to enroll for free in certificate courses offered through OTC’s Center for Workforce Development. Students can chose from a variety of healthcare, administrative or technical training programs to prepare for jobs that include medical assistants, office assistants, manufacturing technicians or framing and finishing technicians.
College advisors will guide participants through the process of choosing an educational program of study, and Missouri Job Center staff will be available to help participants secure transportation or childcare assistance if needed. Once participants complete the SkillUP Missouri program, the Missouri Job Center will help these individuals find gainful employment.
“We are thrilled with the program’s initial success, and we look forward to providing more Missourians with opportunities to better their futures through free job training at OTC,” said Jim Abramovitz, executive director of OTC’s Center for Workforce Development. “Many of our initial SkillUP Missouri participants are close to completing their programs of study, and we look forward to helping them find rewarding careers in lucrative fields like healthcare and advanced manufacturing.”
To inquire about the SkillUP Missouri program, call OTC’s Center for Workforce Development Continuing Education office at 417-447-8888. Individuals may also inquire at Missouri Job Center locations in Springfield at 417-887-4343 and Branson at 417-334-4156.
