Press Release

PITTSBURGH—In response to the economic downturn, the Community College of Allegheny County is introducing its own stimulus package for Western Pennsylvania, offering tuition waivers for laid-off workers and transition programs for employers forced to downsize.

The Career Transition Center for Dislocated Workers will extend a waiver of tuition and fees to unemployed Allegheny County residents when they present a letter from their employers verifying that the unemployment was due to company layoffs and not employee choice or fault. Dislocated workers can then receive up to 36 credits in one of five high-priority, high-demand certificate and degree programs within the first two years after becoming unemployed.

Five programs will participate in the tuition waiver this spring, with special courses opening at a later start date in March and continuing through May. Credit programs include Information Technology Support at Boyce campus, Basic Electronics at North campus and Phlebotomy at South campus.

Non-credit certificate programs include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training at Allegheny campus and Certified Nurse Aide training, which is currently offered at the Downtown center. Other programs may participate in the future.

The special start date in March will enable participants to complete the spring term and, in the longer programs, continue with regularly scheduled courses during summer sessions. CCAC’s regular spring term begins Jan. 12.

“We want to remain responsive to the needs of the community,” said Dr. Alex Johnson, CCAC president. “Combined with our other short-term retraining, assistance and partnership programs, the Career Transition Center will help us to continue to support the economy of our region by providing affordable education for dislocated workers.”

Interested individuals must apply for financial aid; the Dislocated Worker Tuition Waiver will cover tuition and fees beyond what is paid by other grants. Additional financial aid, such as GAP scholarships, may be able to assist with textbooks and other expenses.

The costs of the tuition waivers and establishing the Center will be absorbed by CCAC, noted Tom Santone, chair of the college’s board of trustees. “CCAC has a rich history of participating in the early response to regional economic crisis,” he said. “This program is intended to continue to demonstrate the great commitment of CCAC to our region. The program will make our incredible training resources available to help the members of our community that need help in this difficult economic time.”

The Career Transition Center will offer processes for individuals and employers. Dislocated workers can directly contact CCAC to find out what types of short-term options they can choose. Alternately, employers facing layoffs, downsizing or restructuring that will affect 50 or more employees can begin to plan transition strategies with the aid of Allegheny County Economic Development and CCAC through the CCAC–Allegheny County Workforce Alliance.

“In difficult economic times, it’s imperative that we act quickly to provide support and services to our residents and businesses,” said Dan Onorato, Allegheny County executive. “Allegheny County and CCAC are proud to offer this critical program, which will provide dislocated workers with free training and help them to retool for high-demand jobs. We’re fortunate to have a great institution like CCAC that is responsive to the changing needs and circumstances of our community.”

For more information about the Career Transition Center for Dislocated Workers, please call 412.788.7351.

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About CCAC
The Community College of Allegheny County is the largest institution of postsecondary higher education in Pennsylvania. The college serves 30,000 credit students through 170 degree and certificate programs and offers thousands of lifelong learning non-credit and workforce development courses to 35,000 students annually. Incorporating a learning-centered environment committed to the future of the region, CCAC continues to expand its reach through innovative programming and accessible instruction offered via convenient day, evening, weekend and online courses. With four campuses and six centers serving Allegheny County and surrounding communities, CCAC endeavors to fulfill its mission to provide affordable access to quality education and offer a dynamic, diverse and supportive learning environment that prepares the region’s residents for academic, professional and personal success in our changing global society.