Welcome to Richland Community College’s EnRich Program

Addressing the Community’s Critical Issue

The critical issue is not only unemployment, but the perception of what educational institutions are designed to do and populations they have historically served.  While there is a lot of discussion about partnerships and serving the community, there are a limited number of programs at the college-level designed to meet the needs of a population who may be perceived as the less-desirable, who need additional skills in addition to basic reading and math.  The critical issue is empowering people.

The EnRich training program provides opportunities for adults with multiple barriers to employment to earn at least 30% higher than the average living wage. (Although, most EnRich graduates earn three times that amount.) Through EnRich, students receive Technical Skills and Essential Skills Training – satisfying the need to build a skilled workforce in the region’s manufacturing and healthcare industries.

In July of 2018, Richland received workforce training funding to address both skills gaps and employability skills. The EnRich program, an intense 10-week, 400-hour training includes both Technical Skills and Essential Skills training, utilizes a point system for continued participation and provides a $12 an hour stipend for participants. This program has focused efforts on Minority and Underserved populations.

Areas of Training

Enrich paraprofessionals

EnRich provides sessions that address the following topics:

  • Effective communication skills
  • Teamwork
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability
  • Conflict resolution
  • Flexibility
  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Research
  • Creativity
  • Work ethic
  • Financial literacy and integrity

Richland Community College’s Essential Skills Training presents participants with a more holistic view of the tools necessary to be given a chance to be open to receive the idea that the transition from unemployment and possibility incarceration into a community of people and organizations that will create the opportunity to change their life.  To date, our goal has been to change lives by meeting what we come to know their needs to be.

Key Facts

  • In Decatur Macon County, the unemployment rate for African Americans has been around 22%, three times that of white residents.
  • EnRich has serviced over 230 Participants, 16 of which were high school students receiving dual-credit.
  • 89% of participants remain employed.
  • 100% of CDL graduates are employed.
  • 89% of participants represent underrepresented/ underserved Communities.
  • 55% of participants have a criminal record.
  • According to a survey of local major employers, the following are the top five soft skills lacking and needed for new employees: Dependability, Teamwork, Verbal Communication, Integrity, and Initiative.

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