December 12, 2022 (Denver, CO) – To respond to workforce demands, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) has launched the Rapid IT Training and Employment Initiative (RITEI), a program that provides free information technology (IT) training and success coaching for people in the Denver metro area. CCCS is one of five national sites of RITEI, which is led by Jobs for the Future and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

“CCCS is excited to partner with Jobs for the Future and launch our own RITEI program in Colorado,” said Michael Macklin, CCCS associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce development. “The mentorship and learning—coupled with a dedicated student success specialist and college-level supports—provides robust opportunities for individuals to earn an IT credential and increase competitiveness for landing a living-wage job.”  

RITEI is geared toward under- or unemployed Coloradans who want to launch their career in IT—one of the fastest growing industries in Colorado. Students can earn a CompTIA A+ or Google IT certificate, which may lead to high-wage, high-growth jobs, such as computer user support specialists or computer network support specialists.  

RITEI participants train at their own pace for about 10 to 15 hours each week and can earn a certificate within four to five months. In addition to instruction, the program provides one-on-one coaching, opportunities to connect with real-world, work-based learning experiences, and the ability to earn college credit at five CCCS colleges: Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College. 

 

“The mentorship and learning—coupled with a dedicated student success specialist and college-level supports—provides robust opportunities for individuals to earn an IT credential and increase competitiveness for landing a living-wage job.”  – Mike Macklin, CCCS associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce development

 

RITEI is available for anyone 17 and older who lives in metro area counties, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Weld. To ensure the program is a good fit, prospective students should fill out an interest form on the CCCS website. 

For more information, visit the RITEI website: https://cccs.edu/ritei   

 

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About the Colorado Community College System 

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, delivering more than 1,000 programs to over 113,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 38 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy, and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college. Learn more at www.cccs.edu 

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