Free summer training classes are now available for sign up through University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges’ Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative. These training programs offer individuals the chance to upskill and attain industry certifications, opening doors to employment opportunities, paid internships, and apprenticeship pathways. Registration is now open for a variety of online and in-person classes with varying durations though goodjobshawaii.org.
Trainings that will be offered starting in May 2024 include:
- Creative Industry jobs: Intro to esports careers and digital art fundamentals
- Technology jobs: Help desk technician prep, CompTIA A+, AI in the workplace and AWS cloud certifications
- Clean Energy and Skilled Trade jobs: Carpenter pre-apprenticeship, renewable energy and commercial driver’s license
- Healthcare jobs: Certified personal trainer, certified nurse aide and medical assisting
- City & County of Honolulu jobs: Police Academy prep, certification in court interpreter training,
- Microsoft Office and plant propagation for nursery workers
Since the launch of Good Jobs Hawaiʻi in 2023, more than 4,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in free training offered through the program.
“The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative is focused on ensuring our state’s economic future has a skilled and local workforce ready to meet the demands of our high-growth industries,” said Erika Lacro, vice president for UH Community Colleges. “These free training classes being offered to Hawaiʻi residents provide an invaluable opportunity to upskill, paving the way for a successful future filled with promising career prospects.”
Free for most participants
More than $3 million in funding is available from various funding sources for tuition. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs such as industry certification exam fees. The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi program is free for most eligible participants, since many of the trainings provide a 100% tuition subsidy to cover all costs.
In addition to the free tuition, each participant is also supported by a Good Jobs Hawaiʻi navigator, who provides one-on-one support to ensure a student’s success. Their services include offering college and career advising, referring to community partners for support services, facilitating connections to employers, and providing various forms of financial assistance.
To apply online for current training or to learn more visit Good Jobs Hawaiʻi.
Esports, digital creative industries
In the creative industries sector, an exciting esports experiential learning pathway is set to start in fall of 2024 for students from all UH campuses.
“We encourage interested applicants to apply now as seats are limited. The training will provide an unprecedented experience of academic instruction, industry mentorship, and esports internships in Hawaiʻi. The UH Esports program is a three-time nominated collegiate program of the year and winner of the 2022 national award,” said Nyle Sky Kauweloa, director of UH Esports.
The new online digital art fundamentals course prepares students for jobs in the rapidly evolving creative industries sector.
“This course offers a blend of introductory theory and practical skills essential for a digital media landscape that affects everything from education to digital marketing, telehealth to e-commerce, social media to esports,” said Associate Professor Adam Moura, coordinator for the New Media Arts Program at Kapiʻolani Community College.
Healthcare sector training
In the healthcare sector, a new personal trainer program hosted online for statewide participants by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in collaboration with UH Maui College offers the opportunity to attain the industry recognized ACE (American Council of Exercise) Industry Certification.
“The training provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills required to pursue an actual personal trainer certification from an accredited organization. It equips them with the educational groundwork needed to design safe and effective exercise programs, increasing their credibility and marketability in Hawaiʻi‘s vibrant fitness industry,” said Ozan Atalağ, department chair in kinesiology and exercise sciences at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
Technology fields
In the technology sector, a new help desk technician prep course leading to an internship with local managed service providers (MSPs) for Oʻahu residents will begin in May.
“The value of this training isn’t just about fixing computers, it’s about building the confidence to tackle any problem that may come your way,” said Branden Baker of InTech, one of the MSPs offering paid internships.
Financial support provided by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and City and County of Honolulu. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation support the UH Community Colleges’ coordination with industry partners in targeted sectors identified as recession-resilient in Hawaiʻi’s Talent Roadmap to Recovery, issued by the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative.
