MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii residents who want to quickly gain specialized education and increase their employability are invited to attend one of several informational events Hawaii Community College (Hawaii CC) will host in October.

The events will highlight Hawaii CC’s new online, accelerated certificate programs designed to increase students’ skills while accommodating their schedules and locations. The classes are conducted using an online format or a mix of online classes with hands-on fieldwork.

The new certificate programs being offered include business certificates in Business Foundations, Business Essentials, Retail Foundations, Entrepreneurship, and Virtual Office Assistant.

Sustainable construction certificates are being offered in Sustainable Construction Technologies as well as Sustainable Lot Design, Preparation & Development.

Students will also receive support services that include tutoring, academic counseling, internships and job development, and transcript evaluation/Prior Learning Assessment (which allows adults to earn credit for work knowledge and experience).

Hawaii CC will host open house events around the island to present the new certificate programs, answer questions and help with enrollment. Events are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

· W.M. Keck Observatory, Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 5 – 6:45 p.m. (65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela)

· Kohala High School cafeteria, Thursday, Oct. 16 at from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (54-3611 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau)

· North Hawaii Education and Research Center (NHERC), Tuesday, Oct. 21 at from 5-7 p.m. (Honoka‘a)

· West Hawaii Civic Center Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5-7 p.m., (74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Bldg A)

· Hawaii Community College cafeteria, Oct. 23, from 5 – 7 p.m. (200 West Kawili St., Hilo)

· Ainaloa Community Center, Oct. 24 from 5-7pm at (16-303 Ainaloa Blvd, Pāhoa)

The open houses are on Hawaii Island, but residents on other islands may also enroll.

For more information, visit www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/rh or call (808) 934-2800 or email myfuture@hawaii.edu

Hawaii CC was one of four University of Hawaii campuses to receive a Department of Labor grant to develop the classes.

The grant aims to align academic programs with industry needs and increase the number of adults who attain certificates, degrees and other industry-recognized certificates; and to expand and improve education and training programs that can be completed in two years or less and that lead to high wage and high skill employment.