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Press Release
Media Contact: Rio Salado College
480-628-1301 (c) michelle.reese@riosalado.edu
Media Contact: Tempe Chamber
480-967-7891 (o) paulette@tempechamber.org
Release: 5/3/23
Rio Salado College, Tempe Chamber Create Tempe Workforce Skills Accelerator
Media invited to join signing event May 5, 2023
Rio Salado College and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce will host an event Friday, May 5, to unveil a new partnership designed to address workforce skills gaps in Tempe.
The partnership will establish the Tempe Workforce Skills Accelerator program, which will offer three microcredentials to Tempe Businesses to upskill their workforce. Through the Tempe Chamber & Tempe Chamber Foundation there will also be 20 scholarships available to underwrite the costs for those employers that would experience a financial hardship from enrolling their employees.
The available programs are:
- Certificate of Completion in Small Business Management,
- Certificate of Completion in Data Analytics, and
- Certificate of Completion in Quality Customer Service.
All three programs will be delivered entirely online and can be completed in 6-12 months.
The agreement aligns with the City of Tempe's educational achievement goal that aims to have 65% of Tempe residents aged 25 or older attain a degree or certificate by the year 2030.
Rio Salado College President Kate Smith and Tempe Chamber President/CEO Colin Diaz will be on hand to share news about the program and sign the partnership agreement. Maricopa Community College District Governing Board President Marie Sullivan and Tempe City Council Member Berdetta Hodge will also be in attendance.
When: May 5, 12 p.m. lunch and 12:30 p.m. signing ceremony
Where: Rio Salado College Conference Center, 2323 W 14th St, Tempe, AZ 85281
Media can contact the Rio Salado Communications Manager Michelle Reese to RSVP for the event. Please call 480-628-1301. Lunch will be provided.
More about the Tempe Workforce Skills Accelerator
The selected programs offer training in some of the most desired skills sought by Tempe Chamber employers based on a 2022 survey by the Chamber and Rio Salado. In a survey, nearly two-thirds of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce member respondents expressed an interest in offering microcredentials to their employees.
“We are honored to partner with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce to address critical workforce skills gaps, provide socio economic mobility pathways for the community, and empower an innovative, educated, and inspired workforce,” said Rio Salado President Kate Smith.
“We are proud to be locking arms with Rio Salado College and to be partnering on such a timely and impactful program,” said Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM, Tempe Chamber President/CEO. “Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about building skills that empower individuals to shape their own future. It can truly become the catalyst for unlocking the full potential of employees, paving the way for businesses to grow and prosper, while allowing the employees to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.”
The programs selected for the launch of the Accelerator fall in line with the needs expressed by employers in the Tempe Chamber. Employers noted in the 2022 report that the highest needs are in areas of sales and marketing operations, front line staff management, customer service, and information technology.
Under the partnership agreement, the Tempe Chamber will provide an investment of $20,000 to help scholarship 20 program participants. Rio Salado will work hand-in-hand with the Tempe Chamber to enroll the participants and provide the education and student support services needed to guide them to successful completion.
The program's microcredentials are accredited, transferable and stackable to higher-level degrees, giving students the opportunity to further their education and in-demand workforce skills. Microcredentials provide evidence students have demonstrated specific skills and competencies endorsed by the issuing institution.
About Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College is one of ten Maricopa Community Colleges and one of the largest online public community colleges in the nation, serving more than 35,000 students annually with more than 18,000 online in 50 states. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado College offers nearly 600 online classes, 135+ degree and certificate programs and general education courses. The college also provides support for dual enrollment, military and incarcerated students, and serves as the largest provider of adult education in Arizona.
About the Tempe Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce has built an environment that enhances the economic vitality of its membership and the business community as a whole. Representing more than 550 businesses, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce strengthens the local economy through network development, advocacy, professional development and business education. It regularly advocates for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement and provides ongoing representation in government at local, state and federal levels. For more information on the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480-967-7891.