By: Gabby Fisher, Senior Producer
Let’s jump straight to the numbers…
Yes, you read that right.
More than half of freelancers do not take skill training trainings or courses they want or need because they cannot afford it.
Also…though freelancers largely attribute positive value to their college education, freelancers find skill-related training more useful to the work they do now when asked to compare the two.
The HVCC Career Launchpad is right on the mark with what freelancers are looking for…flexible, affordable, non-degree education options. The goal: to enhance skills, learn new ones, and to increase earning power and marketability.
How the Program Started
Penny Hill, HVCC’s Dean of Economic Development and Workforce Initiatives and her team have been offering professional development and training for people, businesses and organizations throughout the Cap Region for a long time.
When the pandemic hit, they jumped into action to develop the HVCC Career Launchpad.
Flexibility
Penny said one of the main priorities of the program was flexibility. A lot is uncertain at the moment. People don’t necessarily want to commit to or pay for college degrees. The Launchpad offers credit and non-credit courses, a first for the college.
HVCC knew this program had to allow all required work to be done digitally and on the individual’s own time, within one year max.
They understood that many of the individual’s would have other responsibilities – jobs, kids, etc. so all of the flexible program attributes were important in its development.
Affordability
Affordability was also a main priority for Penny and her team. The program was intended to be an option for those unemployed due to COVID-19. The idea was to get them trained and/or industry-certified and back out into the job market quickly.
If you’re a freelancer like me, chances are you relate to some of these circumstances and like most freelancers, value professional development.
Get in Touch with HVCC today!
Opportunities for tuition funding may be available. Invest in yourself. Invest in marketplace stability. Let’s launch!
