The end of the Spring 2013 semester is bitter-sweet for Lifelong Learning. The Department of Labor MATRIX Grant, which has assisted over one thousand students complete training in entry-level health occupations for four years, is coming to an end.
The good news is that Lifelong Learning completed the grant successfully, having met all of its goals as set forth by the Department of Labor. Yea, team! The bad news is that for now, we will not have any grant funds available for in-coming students who want to take healthcare courses for the next few semesters.
This means big changes – a whole new direction – for our healthcare program offerings. We will be revising, re-imagining, and revamping our programs over the Summer 2013 semester, focusing on the skills employers are seeking and deficiencies in our current curriculum. We will still offer programs in the Summer: Certified Nurse Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, CPR, Medication Aide Refresher, and the CPT Exam Prep. However, big changes in programs like Medical Office and Clinical Medical Assistant are under-way.
MATRIX Grant recipients will still be eligible for grant monies in skill development: computer classes, CPR, Spanish for Healthcare, and Supervisory Skills. Also, credit students who received the MATRIX Grant for childcare will be able to apply for continued assistance through a foundational scholarship at NCTC.
Finally, the last months of the MATRIX Grant program is devoted to employment follow-up. This is a big component of the grant… to make sure that our students were hired in relevant jobs after completing training. Our Intake Advisors will be contacting former students to check on their progress. Or, if you are a former student who needs to submit the employment follow-up, contact Dave Bryan at 940-498-6276, Rose Smith at 972-899-8423 or Jennifer Dougherty at 940-668-4305.
MATRIX Grant students are eligible for job placement assistance through Summer 2013. Contact Susan Abu at sabu@nctc.edu to set up an appointment.
NCTC Lifelong Learning 