UpSkill connecting businesses with skilled workers

By Heaven Lee

UpSkill Waco’s goal is to increase the collective impact of our partners by ensuring businesses have the skilled workers they need and individuals can earn family-sustaining wages.

Currently, we are in our sixth cohort. Our first stipend course, Mechatronics, will end July 28. Following this, the medical office certification course will end Aug. 4. We are working with local businesses to gain more opportunities following participant’s training.

Lizz Crowson teaches the Medical Office course July 12 at the Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center.

We are prepared and ready to continue advancing the skills of individuals in McLennan County.

A vast part of my work is recruiting. If you have ever recruited for anything, you know there are challenges and learning experiences. I have learned about outreach, social media analytics, and the importance of tangible items. I’m thankful for our local partners who help make UpSkill successful and continuously share about the work we are doing.

The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities in our community for everyone to upskill or re-skill and enter or make a change in the workforce. We have partnered with Heart of Texas Goodwill’s Accelerate program so all individuals have a “success coach” who can assist them and hold them accountable. The Accelerate program also helps with job placement support.

A skilled workforce is beneficial not only for participants but also for the community. As always, we are actively recruiting, accepting applications, and enrolling for all courses. Anyone interested in applying or learning more about UpSkill Waco training can visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram.

Heaven Lee is workforce initiatives coordinator with Prosper Waco and the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce.