HCC's Rapid Credentialing Grant Helps Unemployed Train For New Careers

TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough Community College has been awarded the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Fund by the Florida Department of Education.

This grant will go toward the Rapid Credentialing Scholarship Program to help rebuild Florida’s economy from the impact of the coronavirus.

“HCC is uniquely positioned to rapidly train and prepare individuals who were grievously affected by COVID-related job loss,” Ken Atwater, HCC president, said. “Our robust offering of workforce programs allows individuals to choose from an array of in-demand careers and return to employment quickly in this dynamic work environment.”

The Rapid Credentialing Scholarship Program provides 100 percent scholarships that include tuition, fees and books in 30 approved areas of study.

The goal is for participants to gain certifications in high-demand fields, ideally positioning them for higher wages. Based on the 2020-21 regional demand occupations list, individuals who completed the rapid credentialing programs and courses are expected to earn an annual average salary of about $37,600 and contribute more than $8 million in salary to the economic development of the Tampa Bay area.

With Hillsborough County’s unemployment rate at 15 percent, residents can seek training and employment in a variety of business sectors such as automotive, healthcare, manufacturing and engineering, business, information technology and public safety. HCC is prepared to help with financing and facilitate training.

To qualify, individuals must be unemployed, underemployed (defined as employed less than full time or at a job inadequate based on training and educational attainment) or furloughed (or expect to be furloughed in the next six months). Participants must also be a resident of Hillsborough County, a U.S. citizen or resident alien and at least 18 years of age.

Scholarship information can be found here. Students cannnot be approved for a scholarship on more than one program/course, and HCC cannot guarantee employment as a result of the training.

For the full list of approved programs, review program descriptions and applications, click here. For more information, contact Gaby Delismé at gdelisme@hccfl.edu.

This press release was produced by the Hillsborough Community College. The views expressed are the author's own.