ACC and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Partner for Virtual Work Readiness Program

Arapahoe Community College and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! are partnering to offer the Virtual Work Readiness Program for displaced workers who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are seeking workforce opportunities.

This digital upskilling program, which is made possible by federal CARES Act funding, offers two levels of skills in a hybrid setting through ACC for individuals to upgrade their technological competencies and thrive in a virtual workforce. Participants will receive a laptop for their permanent use so they can seamlessly switch from remote work to on-site work.

While unemployment has ballooned in the past five months, there are still growing sectors in the south metro Denver area that are seeking regional talent.

“Many workers who have been displaced are disproportionately lower-income and may not possess recent post-secondary credentials or be equipped with the technological skill set to immediately switch to a more remote, or digitally advanced, environment,” said Dr. Eric Dunker, Associate Vice President and Dean of Business, Technology and Workforce Partnerships at ACC. “This new program will help create more equity and provide pathways to employment for individuals who need to compete in the more digitally advanced workforce environment.”

Virtual Work Readiness Program technology skills:

  • computer hardware essentials
  • computer software essentials
  • MS Windows basics
  • networking and the Internet
  • organizing information
  • creating an online account
  • researching on the Internet
  • getting started with MS Outlook
  • email communication
  • MS Word and MS Excel basics
  • (Soft) essential workplace skills
  • job searching and working virtually

“Helping displaced workers learn new skills is always important, but it’s especially crucial in the wake of the COVID crisis,” said Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy N. Sharpe. “By retraining these workers and providing them with a laptop that enables them to work from home or at a job site as needed, we’re making these people more marketable during a difficult period in their work lives.”

The Virtual Work Readiness Program, which will serve 200 displaced workers by December 2020, is now open. Applicants, or a member of their family, must have experienced job separation due to COVID-19, and be a resident of Arapahoe County, to be eligible for this program.

For more information, or to apply, please contact Arapahoe/Douglas Works! at info [at] adworks [dot] org or 303.636.1160.

Archive