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 The State Farm Companies Foundation Board approved a
two-year grant totaling $383,000 to be applied to Heartland programs
that provide tools and training to meet the employment needs of the
community.
“For years, State Farm has proudly maintained strong relationships
with our local educational institutions, including Heartland
Community College,” said State Farm Vice-President of Human
Resources, Annette Martinez. “This is our latest effort to help
support the professional and educational needs of our community and
make a sustained, positive difference in the lives of our neighbors
in the Bloomington-Normal area.”
The grant dollars will help Heartland increase the number of
participants earning short-term certificates, boost career coaching
resources for students and advance the development of curriculum
focused on the area’s emerging business needs. The programs assist
students as they consider, train for, and enter the workforce.
“The support State Farm is providing will benefit individuals,
employers and the economy across District 540,” said Heartland
Community College President Rob Widmer. “This grant is targeted to
Heartland programs that directly connect learners with valuable
resources needed to foster a successful career.”
Three Heartland programs are targeted with the grant dollars: Career
Training, Career Coaching and Program Development. All three
programs are geared toward preparing students with skills that meet
the labor demands of the community.
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· Career Training: Intense student learning to boost quick
employment and increase the number of participants earning short-term
certificates. Examples of these programs include: Phlebotomy, Certified Nursing
Assistant, Truck Driver Training, and Pharmacy Technician Certification.
· Career Coaching: Resources focused on students’ success
in the workplace including tools for time management, task management, and
financial stability during and following their educational experiences.
· Program Development: Focused research, accreditation, and syllabus
creation for emerging markets in the business community.
“The programs supported by these grant dollars are all about moving students
into the workforce,” said Chris Downing, Executive Director of the Heartland
Foundation. “State Farm’s commitment to Heartland is an investment in not only
Heartland Community College, but also in the most valuable resource any employer
needs: skilled people.”
The grant will begin to be applied at the start of the Fall 2018 semester.
[Steve Fast
Associate Director of Public Information
Heartland Community College]
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