AWC offering programs, assistance to connect dislocated workers to jobs
April 25, 2023Yuma, AZ (April 25, 2023) – Individuals whose employment has been negatively impacted by the pandemic now have access to skills training, career pathways, and job opportunities through the Arizona QUEST Program.
As part of the Arizona Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) initiative, Arizona Western College is delivering on the needs of its communities through workforce development and partnerships.
Starting this spring, the Arizona QUEST program is focusing on preparing dislocated workers for jobs in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and Information Technology (IT). AWC programs offered in partnership with ARIZONA@WORK and industry include:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT),
- Carpentry,
- Professional IT Support,
- Electrical for Manufacturing,
- Broadband Fiber Optics,
- Phlebotomy Technician,
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Basic Machining
- And more!
In the fall of 2022, the Department of Labor awarded a $15 million grant to Arizona QUEST, a statewide coalition that includes the Arizona Commerce Authority, six community colleges, and Arizona@Work. The collaborative initiative is serving six local workforce development areas including the counties of Cochise, Maricopa, Mohave/La Paz, Pima, Yavapai, and Yuma. Funding from the Arizona QUEST Dislocated Worker Grant can be used for tuition, fees, and other educational costs associated with these fast-track certification programs.
“The Arizona QUEST grant will provide our college and local communities with the resources to offer more high-demand certifications, allowing students of all backgrounds to gain valuable skills and job opportunities,” said Reetika Dhawan, Arizona Western College Vice President for Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education.
The program will serve individuals who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes individuals, 18+, who were employed prior to COVID but became unemployed, underemployed, or lost employment for failing to report to work due to caring for oneself or a family member as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional services supported by this initiative include job search and placement assistance; apprenticeships; support services and referrals; and job fairs and recruitment events.
AWC and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, which is housed at the Arizona Commerce Authority, were central participants in securing the grant. Reetika Dhawan and Nidia Herrera, Yuma Private Industry Council Executive Director, are the Co-Principal Investigators for this grant.
For more information about enrolling in these programs, email azquest@ypic.com, call 928-317-6187, or text 928-503-6552. Program courses can be found by selecting “AZ Quest” from the Course Type drop down menu in the Catalog Advanced Search in Self-Service.
Contact:
Reetika Dhawan
Vice President for Workforce Development and Career & Technical Education
Arizona Western College
Reetika.Dhawan@azwestern.edu
928-344-7567
Contact:
Elaine Groggett
Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Scheduling
Arizona Western College
Elaine.Groggett@azwestern.edu
928-317-6043