Working to meet the needs of today’s global workforce, IREX is proud to join with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State [10] to implement the Community College Initiative (CCI) [11] program. This program recruits and selects underserved participants from 12 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Africa, East Asia, and Western Hemisphere regions for training in the fields of Information Technology, Business Administration, and Agriculture at U.S. community colleges.
IREX recognizes that providing technical skills alone cannot address the needs of today’s workforce. People also need professional experience in their field and employability skills such as professionalism, teamwork, and flexibility. Ensuring CCI participants possess not only technical expertise but are workforce ready, this program includes robust training investment in employability skills; a focused internship that builds their professional experience in their field; leadership training; and meaningful engagement in U.S. society and culture. Secretary Kerry recently noted [12] in a June 26, 2013 address that people, “share the same basic aspirations. They want an education. They want opportunity. They want a job, and they want to know that a better future is within their reach.” Combining U.S.-based education and training to develop technical expertise with workforce ready skills, the CCI program prepares participants to secure employment and create a better future for themselves and for their country.