In an effort to serve those who serve the country, Austin Community College (ACC) is rolling out a new digital badge to give a leg up to military spouses. The college recently announced a pilot program designed to provide them with digital skills essential for today's job market. Set to start this June, the Military Spouse Microcredential Pilot Program offers several mini-courses free of charge, specifically targeting the spouses of active duty and veteran members of the armed forces.
The initiative, launched by ACC’s Digital Fluency & Innovation team in partnership with the Military Families Center, encompasses a range of subjects from basic computer skills to web design. Despite the courses being online, a "Digital Navigator" will be available to support participants through their 20 to 26-hour learning journey. However, to apply for the program, interested spouses have to act fast. ACC is providing in-person application assistance at the Military Families Center only on two dates, June 4 and June 6, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as per the news release on their website.
Cohort members who manage to navigate through the program will receive certificates in four areas, including 'Fundamentals of Computer Skills for Job Readiness' and 'Web Presence Fundamentals.' As reported by ACC's Newsroom, the program not only imparts digital knowledge but also aims to sharpen professional skills such as critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
ACC is casting a wide net for partnerships to support the endeavor, seeking collaboration from organizations that can offer assistance throughout the program, including aiding in job searches for the cohort members. Those interested in participating as partners or learning more about the military spouses’ program can fill out an interest form provided by the college, which seeks to capitalize on the shared goal of uplifting the community of those linked to the nation’s defense services.
