CWC, sister colleges awarded grant

Central Wyoming College is one of three Wyoming community colleges sharing a $2.7 million Department of Labor grant to develop new and effective learning strategies for adult workers and business leaders.

CWC is partnering with Northern Wyoming Community College District and Western Wyoming Community College to address the unique needs of adult learners in 11 of Wyoming’s 23 counties. CWC is using its share of the grant to develop an entrepreneurship program as well as an Innovation Institute that will assist businesses with the need or desire to grow and expand.

Dean for CWC Workforce and Community Education Lynne McAuliffe said the grant will also assist the consortium to preparing supervisors, mangers and entrepreneurs today for tomorrow’s economy.

Through the Innovation Institute, McAuliffe said businesses that need to develop new ideas, make improvements or significant change to their business model are provided opportunities to work directly with experts and consultants in a variety of ways.

The entrepreneurship program targets self-employed or those employed by others who wish to initiate or finance new enterprise or business.

“The models developed and implemented in this project will have a large impact on the state of Wyoming and how education is delivered to adult students,” said Dr. Paul Young, president of NWCCD, the lead college in the grant.

The three colleges will share best practices specifically in the area of learning for adult students, coordinate on curriculum for certificate and degree programs and target short term certificates for adult learners to become successful entrepreneurs, secure employment or earn promotions with Wyoming employers.