A large percentage of college graduates are either unemployed or underemployed five years after graduation, earning the same income they would have earned had they not gone to college.

The National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET), in collaboration with its premier sustaining partner, Growth Development Associates (GDA), will make available two tuition-free online Workforce Development courses for up to one million students, alumni and professionals from colleges and schools across the U.S.  Their goal is to help students and alumni, as well as professionals in the workforce, develop skills to immediately qualify for open jobs or enhance their performance and qualifications in their current position.

There are two courses being offered for up to one million individuals where tuition will be waived. There is a registration fee of ten dollars ($10) per course. One course focuses on internal workplace communications. The other on consultative selling, which can enhance or open the opportunity for a high-level sales position in any corporation.

• Course One – Workplace Communication – $599 tuition waived

The most direct impact on job performance is an employee’s skill in interacting and working with others in the workplace.  The course builds and integrates six skills necessary for effective workplace communication.  Participants will gain expertise to establish a connection, gain engagement, understand perspective, propose solutions, resolve issues, and gain agreement.

• Course Two – Consultative Selling – $599 tuition waived

The highest number of job ads in any category, within any city in the country, are jobs for professional salespeople.  Participants will build and hone the fundamental skills necessary for effective sales and customer support conversations.  They will also learn to build relationships, gain interest, understand needs, present solutions (not pitches), close for true commitment, and handle genuine customer objections.

These courses are also an excellent resource for veterans, those looking for advancement in their current employment situations, or developing new career opportunities. Anyone with the drive and desire to advance themselves should take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It is time for industry and academic leaders to work together to build a bridge to successful employment,” states Al McCambry, President. “NCCET is doing their part by offering two courses focused on the workforce development skills needed to enhance employee engagement and improve individual productivity through our partnership with GDA.”

McCambry hopes that by offering these courses, tuition-free for a limited time, graduates and alumni can gain the mainstream, high-paying employment they deserve. Employers will reap the benefits of highly qualified new and existing employees.

“Anyone doing a local search in the community for open job positions, will find that one in four jobs are sales based,” states Eric Richardson, CEO, GDA. “Working with NCCET, we saw the need for individuals to be better trained. Acknowledging not everyone, especially students and the underemployed, would have the resources to gain access to these types of training, we felt a need and a responsibility to give people a hand up.”

The $599 course tuition is waived for anyone who enrolls between Monday, August 13, 2018, and Friday, September 28, 2018. Participants only need pay a $10 per course registration fee. Consultative Selling requires about 34 hours of training. The participant will be qualified for open sales positions (one in four jobs in the marketplace are sales positions.) Essentials of Workplace Communications takes approximately 26 hours to complete. Effective communication drives success and sustainability in any workplace environment. Participants may take the courses at any time until December 31, 2018.

Participants can enroll at www.growthdevelopment.com/labor-day

About NCCET and GDA

National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET) provides member institutions and continuing education professionals with proven best practices that help with the implementation and execution of effective and profitable programs.

As an affiliate council of the AACC, NCCET advocates for prioritizing continuing education and training issues among policymakers and community college leaders to ensure the important work our members do is recognized, valued and supported.

Growth Development Associates (GDA) is a dedicated training company with an experienced and committed team that has been serving clients for the last 29 years.

Though GDA’s customized consulting approach GDA helps organizations to improve their bottom line and achieve long-lasting results.  They employ a nationally certified curriculum in Workplace Communication, Consultative Selling, Account Management, and Leadership. GDA assists individuals at all levels of the organization to improve their skills, as well as, assists students and alumni who are looking for a job.