Austin, TX—Skillpoint Alliance—a Central Texas 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to underserved and under-accessed populations— has partnered with RE:WorkNOW to offer Skillpoint Alliance program participants a $200 weekly cash stipend. Program participants enrolled in the organization’s four-to-six-week rapid training classes can earn between $800-$1,200 for their participation. Skillpoint offers three pre-apprenticeship training programs – electrical, plumbing and HVAC– as well as an advanced manufacturing program.
“By partnering with RE:WorkNOW, our students will have the opportunity to earn while they learn, which will take away some of the financial stress and worry students can have when they become students full-time, even in four-to-six-week courses,” Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “The additional financial support will greatly help our students, many of whom live below the average poverty level.”
RE:WorkNOW is a rapid response workforce development program administered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, a local workforce development organization. To qualify for the cash stipend, Skillpoint Alliance applicants must be successfully enrolled in one of the organization’s four workforce development programs– pre-apprentice electrical, pre-apprentice plumbing, HVAC technician, or Certified Production Technician (CPT)- and attend all five classes each week.
Additionally, program participants have access to a broad range of supportive services including subsidized child care, weekly cash stipends while attending training, and technology assistance in the form of laptop computers and mobile hotspots.
Upon graduation, Skillpoint Alliance students who provide employment verification will also qualify for a $400 sign on bonus through the Re:WorkNOW partnership.
RE:WorkNOW Phase I was launched during the Fall 2020 in response to the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic, thanks to a $3.1M joint Phase I investment from the City of Austin and Travis County through CARES Act funding. Phase I aimed to provide short-term, safe, no cost job training to City of Austin-Travis County residents economically impacted by COVID. With additional ARPA funds, Workforce Solutions expects to scale and expand the scope of programmatic offerings under RE:WorkNOW, with a goal to serve 1,000 residents over the next two years.
RE:WorkNOW continues its mission of connecting local residents to quality training and placement in high demand jobs such as certified production technician, medical assistant, CDL truck driver, software developer, HVAC technician, phlebotomist, bookkeeper/accountant, and more.
For more information about the skilled trades and manufacturing training and new career opportunities, please visit skillpointalliance.org.
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About Skillpoint Alliance
Skillpoint Alliance is a 501(c)3 workforce development organization that provides in-demand workforce training to vulnerable members of the Central Texas community. The organization partners with local industry to offer unique professional training and educational opportunities at no cost to participants. Skillpoint Alliance was founded in 1994 and has since become the premier provider of rapid workforce training in the nine-county area in and around Austin. Skillpoint Alliance has been named one of the top ten job training programs in the country by Jobs for the Future and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Skillpoint Alliance works continuously to build strong partnerships with local businesses, foundations, community-based organizations, and government agencies in order to grow and support its mission of connecting low-income individuals with career pathways in growing local industries. In 2018, Skillpoint Alliance launched a redesigned and customized Pre-Apprentice Electrical class, followed by a Pre-Apprentice Plumbing program in 2019—and concurrently offers HVAC Technician training, Certified Production Technician, and various other short-term and customizable training options.