November 9, 2009
For immediate use

(DURHAM, N.C.) – Durham Technical Community College recently received a $50,000 Project Skill-Up grant to provide free short-term training to those whose income has been adversely affected by decreased tobacco production and other changes in the tobacco industry. The grant was awarded through the N.C. Community College System from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. Training from Project Skill-Up includes Keyboarding and Microsoft Office; Biotechnology; Medical Office Procedures, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, and Esthetician. Training will also be offered in Construction, HVAC and Welding; Commercial Driver’s License Permit preparation, Employability Skills and Entrepreneurship training for those who want to start their own business.

Applicants to Project Skill-Up must be 18 and older and a resident of Durham or Orange Counties. They must provide information about how the changes in tobacco production have affected their income or their family. Call Durham Tech’s Corporate and Continuing Education Division at 919-536-7222, ext. 4011, or email mcleank@durhamtech.edu to make an appointment.