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Colleges Pilot Free Online Reskilling Program

Nine colleges across the United States are piloting a technology-focused career training initiative that aims to prepare 500,000 learners for jobs of the future by 2030. The Verizon Reskilling Program is being led by workforce and education nonprofit JFF, in collaboration with Generation USA, a nonprofit that provides free career training, placement and support, with funding from Verizon. The effort will target people from underrepresented populations and those who do not have a four-year degree.

The colleges will tap into Generation USA's training curricula to offer free programs in web development, IT support, cloud computing and more — all focused on the skills students need for in-demand technology careers. The programs' track record boasts an 80 percent completion rate and 75 percent employment rate for graduates, according to a news announcement.

JFF will work to scale best practices across the colleges, providing staff coaching, evaluating impact and managing a peer learning network.

Currently, the participating institutions are Dallas College, University of the District of Columbia, College of Southern Nevada, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Miami Dade College, Delgado Community College, South Seattle College, Spartanburg Methodist College and Florida Memorial University. JFF plans to expand the initiative to 15 colleges by 2022.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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