CORRECTED LINK: More than 2,000 free courses provided through O‘ahu Back to Work
VIDEO NEWS RELEASE
University of HawaiʻiCORRECTED Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/q13nCwXPse
WHAT: The University of Hawai‘i will exceed its goal of delivering 2,000 free courses to unemployed residents through the O‘ahu Back to Work program.
WHEN: By the end of December 2020
WHO: Thousands of Oʻahu adults whose employment was disrupted by COVID-19 impacts such as reduced hours, furloughs or job loss. Including:
-
Sara Shimada, 32, furloughed from retail job, took computer course.
-
Brian Lee, 43, self-employed with no income from tourism dependent business, took two computer courses.
-
Alejandra “Alex” Borunda, 31, work hours drastically reduced by visitor dependent employer, taking pharmacy technician course.
HOW: Through O‘ahu Back to Work, a short-term employment training program funded by CARES Act funds from the City and County of Honolulu that started in early October with more than 70 courses offered through seven UH Community Colleges and UH Mānoa Outreach College.
WHY: O‘ahu Back to Work is an effort to fill the growing employment gap. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent emergency orders have resulted in negative impacts on the state’s economy and displaced many workers.
More information about available UHCC scholarships: http://uhcc.hawaii.edu/kulia/
VIDEO:
BROLL:
O‘ahu Back to Work logo
File video pre-COVID UHCC programs and training
Still of Sara Shimada
2 Stills of Brian Lee
2 Stills of Alejandra Borunda
SOUND:
Sara Shimada, Oʻahu Back to Work computer student (:17)
“O‘ahu Back to Work was kind of like a light of hope in the darkness because like I said for me I am a workaholic so even being out of work for a little while was unnerving.”
Brian Lee, Oʻahu Back to Work computer student (:07)
“If there’s no income then you have to get some education. You just can’t sit there.”
Alejandra Borunda, Oʻahu Back to Work pharmacy technology student (:20)
“This is an extremely like awesome opportunity. Just honestly, it couldn’t have come at a best time at the moment it felt like especially a lot of us are out of work and not receiving much income.”