Bunker Hill Community College Offers Free Career Training
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) announced today the TRAIN program, sponsored by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, which will provide free career training to 36 long-term unemployed Massachusetts residents.
Participants will enroll in one of three health professional training programs at BHCC: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program, or the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program. Each of the three credit-bearing programs offers industry-recognized credentials and prepares students for certification and employment in their respective fields. A $181,006 grant from the Department of Higher Education Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Program supports the training program. “Unemployment is a challenge that affects many students,” says BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “This program provides a life-changing opportunity for students to start a new career without having to worry about how to pay for their education.”
The TRAIN program includes a workforce readiness course and an internship program at Boston-area industry partners CVS (Pharmacy Technician); Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. (EMT); and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (CNA). Students will receive hands-on experience in actual work settings and will be well-connected for employment in the workforce upon completion of their certifications.
In addition to the training received in and outside of the classroom, students enrolled in the TRAIN program will receive a $200/month stipend to cover transportation and other expenses.
Participants must have been unemployed for 26 or more continuous weeks, and must have a high school diploma or GED and a clean CORI to qualify for the program. Applicants must also possess a Green Card if they are not U.S. citizens.
The Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Grant Program, overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, was created in response to the reported 34.6 percent long-term unemployment rate from the Current Population Survey in 2014. Grants are issued to community colleges in Massachusetts for the purpose of implementing training programs for the long-term unemployed.
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About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. The College offers associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific training programs. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).