Funds still available to assist displaced workers through University of Hawaii community colleges

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Vaughn Baker, (808) 956-5145
UH Community Colleges
Posted: Aug 14, 2008

The Rapid Response Fund, a fund created last year by the Legislature to meet workforce related high-demand training needs is being used by the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges in cooperation with the State of Hawaiʻi Workforce Investment Board to assist recently displaced workers by setting aside approximately $70,000 for a special education and training fund.

The fund provides a one-time only, 50 percent discount on the cost of tuition, up to a maximum of $500 per eligible laid-off employee. The funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until exhausted or until the tuition discount expires on June 30, 2009.

"This is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to begin or resume a college education or those who wish to obtain new job skills," said Vaughn Baker, Director of Workforce Development for the UH Community Colleges. "The funds are available for both credit and non-credit classes and it is our hope that many displaced workers will use this program to open new doors for them during these challenging economic times."

Currently, program participants must be laid-off former employees of Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines, Molokai Properties Limited (Molokai Ranch), NCL America, the Weyerhaeuser Corporation or Maui Land and Pineapple Company. All participants must be certified as eligible by the Workforce Investment Board‘s One-Stop Center in the county where the UH Community Colleges deliver courses.


The UH Community Colleges are comprised of seven campuses—four on Oʻahu (Kapiʻolani CC, Honolulu CC, Leeward CC and Windward CC), and one campus each on Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. Applications may be obtained at any community college admissions and records office or at any One-Stop Center.

Questions about the program should be directed to Vaughn Baker at (808) 956-5145 or via email at bakerl@hawaii.edu.