College of Southern Nevada (CSN) has been working with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (GOWINN) to provide grant-funded certification through Project SANDI to jumpstart the careers of those adversely impacted by the pandemic and to provide support to growing businesses across the Silver State.
Twenty-four SANDI recipients are from CSN’s Dialysis Program, including Melissa Preciado, a young mother of two who was laid off in 2014 and has only been able to work part-time jobs ever since.
“The opportunities the Project SANDI grant has provided my family and I have been a complete blessing,” said Preciado. “The grant not only covered the cost of the Dialysis course but my shoes and books too. The SANDI grant allowed me to enroll in the Dialysis program, which I have been striving to do for years, changing my life for the better.”
Because childcare was a big challenge for Preciado, she was able to take courses at CSN in the evenings, leading to certification in Dialysis and eventually a position with DaVita Las Vegas Dialysis Center.
The Dialysis Program at CSN is the first SANDI’s partner offering some coursework through virtual reality (VR) Pico Neo headsets, also referred to as “goggles.”. Through these goggles, students can navigate and “see into” the world of work through VR simulations.
“The VR goggles have completely transformed the course experiences we offer here at CSN,” said Tracey Hatter, Senior Specialist Navigator at CSN. “Students are able to utilize the goggles for a more immersive and hands-on experience, proving SANDI offers first-of-its-kind materials and opportunities that we are incredibly proud of.”
A variety of SANDI-funded programs at CSN are open for applications include Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Welding, Front End and Back End Software Developer, Data Analyst I & II, Python Developer I & II and Commercial Driving Programs.
“CSN is proud to support the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation efforts to develop solutions to address critical labor shortages in Health Care high demand occupations, such as Dialysis Technicians,” said Dr. Federico Zaragoza, President of CSN. “This Fall, the GOWINN- SANDI grant allowed 24 CSN students to enroll in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) Program. The program prepared students for the National Accreditation for Nephrology Technician (NANT) Certification required to operate equipment needed for Dialysis treatments. The program attained a 75% graduation rate and a 95% graduate placement rate. This is an excellent example of how workforce partnership programs can create opportunities for students to connect to employers in dire need of skilled technicians. This is a win-win model.”
“There is still plenty of SANDI funding available for those interested in earning credentials to expand their career horizons across the STEM pipeline,” said Lisa Levine, Executive Director for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation. “We urge any Nevadan who is interested in receiving funding from SANDI to reach out to us and see how they can begin a new journey in career success.”
To learn more about programs being funded through Project SANDI at Southern Nevada College or to find out if you are eligible for SANDI funding, email Tracey Hatter at DWED@csn.edu.
To see where SANDI funding is being offered near you, visit nevadajobconnect.com/Page/Education_and_Training.
About Project “SANDI”
Nevada is one of eight states to be awarded this competitive U.S. Department of Education workforce training grant. The Supporting and Advancing Nevada’s Dislocated
Individuals (SANDI) project is investing in
expanding short-term education and training opportunities that will increase Nevadans’ access to career pathways in priority sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, information technology (IT) and skilled trades to meet the needs of students, employers, and the local community. Project SANDI has supported more than 500 Nevadans from across the State in partnership with Great Basin College, College of Southern Nevada, Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College and other training providers.
About Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation
GOWINN helps drive a skilled, diverse, and aligned workforce in the State of Nevada by promoting cooperation and collaboration among all entities focused on workforce development. Its chief objectives are to prepare all K-12 students for college and career success, increase the number of Nevadans with postsecondary credentials and increase labor force participation.
GRANT FUNDING DISCLOSURES
The Stevens Amendment is a federal regulation that requires U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education grant recipients to reveal the percent of the costs financed with federal funds, the federal dollar amount, and the percentage and dollar amount financed by nongovernmental funds. The regulation was created with the intent to inform taxpayers of how much money comes from Federal sources in any program, project, or grant activity.
For Supporting and Advancing Nevada’s Dislocated Individuals (SANDI), the Project SANDI grant totaling $13,818,298.92, awarded by the U.S. Department Education pays for all program costs.
