WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Midlands Tech job realignment program gaining popularity

Midlands Tech job realignment program gaining popularity

By Taylor Kearns - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - As more people find themselves unemployed, more are going back to school. At Midlands Tech, a program designed to get the jobless back to work quickly is getting more popular.

On a Thursday night a year ago, Kathy Silva would have been working a full-time retail job. But Thursday night at Midlands Tech, she traded fabric for phlebotomy.

"I didn't really know about the quickjobs program, I was just looking at options," said Silva.
    
Silva found quickjobs, a program designed to take the unemployed and get them back to work quickly. 44 classes are offered, ranging from medical transcriptionist to auto mechanics.

"Across the state in the entire tech college system we're looking at double digit increases," said Midlands Tech spokesperson Barrie Kirk.

Kirk says the recession has driven thousands back to school. Enrollment there is up 25% from the same time last year.

"There are a lot of people looking for new skills to get a different job or to get a job," said Kirk.
     
Kirk says the majority of quickjobs' new students are victims of the economy. In Silva's case, it was a matter of making ends meet.

"Everyone got cut to part time, everyone not in management was cut to part time," said Silva.
     
So Kathy is training to ultimately become a nurse, hopefully before the economy bleeds her dry.      

Kirk says the classes in quickjobs are tailored for the Midlands. Each class teaches a skill that is in demand locally. In some cases, classes may be paid for through government assistance.

For more information, call 732-0432 or click here.

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