In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging workforce need, the California State University's Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) launched COVID-19 Courses for Causes. Select courses will be offered at no cost to support first responders, health care workers, working adults and community members.
Continuing education will be needed more than ever in this rapidly changing workforce environment."
Courses are available for those who want to update their skills or advance their careers. Taking a course is also a way for working professionals to test out a new industry in various sectors, including business and finance, health care management, engineering and technology.
“With record-high unemployment due to the pandemic, there are many workers who will need training to transition to something new," says Sheila Thomas, Ed.D., assistant vice chancellor and PaCE dean. “These courses are also a flexible way to study new and emerging topics. Continuing education will be needed more than ever in this rapidly changing workforce environment."
Courses for Causes are fully online and cover a wide range of topics, such as basic life support, Spanish for first responders, chemical dependency, human resources, nonprofit management, contract management and crisis leadership. In addition, select CSU campuses are offering a free or reduced fee for a regular university course without university admission.
The CSU is the leading producer of California's skilled workforce and is committed to helping the state rebuild its economy amid the coronavirus outbreak. Every year, the CSU provides more than 100,000 job-ready graduates to populate hundreds of job fields across California.
More than 75 free courses are available across 14 campuses for summer and fall 2020. New courses are still being added and it is advised to visit the website regularly for the most up-to-date listing. Course availability will be based on local need and demand. Visit the COVID-19 Courses for Causes website to apply or learn more.
“With all that is happening in the world right now, we wanted to give back to those who give so much unselfishly," says Jennifer Patino, PaCE director at CSU Bakersfield. “The men and women that are on the frontlines working to help keep us safe and healthy deserve our thanks."
About PaCE
The CSU's Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) program brings the resources of the CSU to the local community, as well as to regional, national and international audiences. PaCE helps advance students along the lifelong learning continuum, from academic preparation and English-language-learner programs to professional training and leisure learning.