The Wyoming Education Attainment Council Executive Committee recently announced the launch of the Wyoming Works program. The primary purpose of Wyoming Works is to provide programs and resources for adult students to learn a skill that leads to secure employment.

Northwest College and the six other community colleges across the state are participating in the partnership to offer new opportunities for students.

Wyoming Works was signed into law following the legislative session in March. The Legislature allocated $5 million to support the program with $3 million used for individual student grants. The balance will support program development. The allocation will be shared by all seven community colleges.

“I am excited about the launch of this program,” said NWC President Stefani Hicswa, the executive committee co-chair. “We are not only advancing our post-secondary attainment goals but also ensuring Wyoming citizens have high-quality credentials to be competitive in the workforce.”

Programs that qualify under Wyoming Works are those that meet labor and economic development needs, and may be for-credit or non-credit. Many existing programs will qualify and new programs will be developed.

Eligible credit and non-credit programs at NWC include a variety of fields including trades, agriculture, business, technology and nursing.

“Businesses across the state are eager to demonstrate their workforce needs to community colleges to ensure the Wyoming Works program is a success for the newly trained employees, the schools that train them, and the businesses that hire them,” said Katie Legerski, executive director of the Wyoming Contractors Association. “This is especially true in the construction industry where private partners who have spent years working on workforce development issues are already engaged in the effort.”

Length of the programs will vary, from a two-week Certified Nursing Assistant certificate to a two-year welding degree.

“This is the type of bold leadership that demonstrates the strength of the partnership among education, industry and policy-makers. Employers are sharing with us their needs and our community colleges are ready to respond,” said Sandy Caldwell, executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission.

The WCCC will manage the rules, guidelines and funds for the program.

Visit www.nwc.edu/wyomingworks to learn more or call the NWC Financial Aid Office at 307-754-6158 to get started.