Funding & Development
Wake Tech Receives Support to Assist Displaced Workers
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 21, 2012) - Former tobacco industry employees now have an added incentive to train for new careers: scholarships to pay for retraining. The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has presented Wake Tech Community College with $10,000 for Project Skill-Up, a vital program that assists those who have been hurt by the decline of the tobacco industry. The program covers the costs of tuition, fees, and books up to $500 per student for displaced tobacco workers as they learn new skills and uncover new career opportunities.
The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund scholarships will go to Wake Tech students in both credit and non-credit programs of study, including Auto Detailing, HVAC, and Start Hospitality. To be eligible, students in non-credit programs must also earn a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) demonstrating math, reading, and information-gathering skills. Students in for-credit (curriculum) programs are encouraged, but not required, to obtain a CRC, and must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or above.
“Wake Tech is committed to addressing the needs of displaced tobacco workers,” says President Dr. Stephen Scott, “and this financial support is critical to those efforts. We want to provide the quality training they need to re-enter the workforce - and the support they deserve.”
Wake Tech works closely with regional employers to stay in tune with industry needs and design and tailor training programs to meet those needs. Wake Tech has a long history of offering workforce training and re-training to the Wake County community.
The $10,000 gift has already made it possible for Wake Tech to provide scholarships for nine students. Scholarships will be awarded through November.
