Those out of a job will now be able to train for a new one in six months or less.

That is what officials at Richmond Community College say is possible with the new JobsNOW “12 in 6” Project.

RCC Vice President for Continuing Education Richard Garrett said this is one of the the direct impacts of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package for residents of Scotland County.

“The primary goal of this program is to provide people the opportunity to gain skills in six months and to find work," Garrett said. "Our department has worked closely with the Scotland County ESC JobLink. Career Center and the Lumber River Workforce Development Board to select courses that best meet the needs of our community."

The programs will range from phlebotomy to electrical wiring.

Because our Continuing Education Department can quickly respond to projects like

this and provide a high quality of instruction, we’re ready to begin our

first course, Masonry I, on Aug. 3rd,” Garrett said.

A total of 14 courses are being offered in Scotland County. They are: Nursing Assistant I & II, Phlebotomy, Healthcare Billing/Coding, Medical Assisting, Industrial Systems Technology, Early Childhood Education, Masonry, Plumbing, Carpentry,

Welding, Electrical Wiring, Landscapingt/Horticulture, and Food Service/Hospitality.

Burnest Graham, manager of the Employment Security Commission office in Laurinburg, said he supports the intense, short-term training. He said he is especially fond of those that incorporate computer literacy.

“Bringing people into the modern age of technology is important," Graham said. "Once they have completed these classes, they are no longer hindered by not having a skill and have reached a milestone that qualifies them for other jobs.”

In looking to the future, Graham sites the upcoming infrastructure projects which will come as part of the president’s economic stimulus package. The expansion of Fort Bragg puts many jobs within commuting distance of Scotland County residents. He said his agency will prescreen all of its interested clients to determine whether they may be eligible for assistance in paying tuition.

Garrett said RCC’s program is unique in that it adds employability skills courses that assist participants with resume writing and with job seeking and job keeping skills. Participants are also required to take the WorkKeys exam to earn a Career Readiness Certificate, which is rapidly becoming a requirement for many jobs being advertised today. Wherever applicable, green technology is being

incorporated into classroom instruction.

“We’re taking the program a step further by adding an entrepreneurship component where interested participants can go through the steps necessary to successfully start and run their own businesses. It’s easy to see how someone completing the Food Service and Hospitality course could start a catering business,” he said.

Another perk of the appropriation funds is the establishment of new programs at RCC that will remain viable long after the funds run out. The funds pay for the start-up costs of purchasing equipment, the most expensive element in creating a new program.

“It’s a win-win situation that will benefit our service area for years to come,” Garrett said.

To preregister for the Masonry course, call 276-3331 or 410-1700. Information is available at www.richmondcc.edu.