NCW Tech launches New Skills website

NCW Tech Alliance received grant funding from Microsoft Philanthropies to rebrand our successful UpSkill program and to lead communities across the country in launching their own skilling program.

 The rebrand is called Community Skills Initiative and aims to help job seekers and professionals gain new skills for in-demand roles in the digital economy. The Community Skills Initiative website puts resources in digital skills and foundational skills together in one easy-to-navigate platform. 80+ courses are available in English and Spanish for free. Additionally, learning pathways offer the chance to take a series of courses that prepare learners for in-demand careers or a pathway to entrepreneurship. All courses on the Community Skills Initiative website can be completed online via smartphone, tablet, desktop, or laptop. “The Community Skills Initiative rebrand streamlines our program offering, allowing more community members to access free on-demand skills training,” said Jenny Rojanasthien, Executive Director.

“As a non-profit committed to bringing resources in technology, entrepreneurship, and STEM education to the region, we're especially excited about the opportunities available on the Community Skills website. We are asking individuals to help us spread the word about this free resource and for employers to share it with their employees.”

Explore Course Offerings such as Entrepreneurship; discover what skills you'll need as a small business owner. Administrative Professional: learn what it takes to succeed as an administrative professional. Or Project Manager; discover how to manage projects effectively, from simple to complex.

NCW Tech Alliance kicked off our 3rd Annual UpSkill-A-Thon competition with $10,000 in cash prizes on the table this year.

The UpSkill-A-Thon is a free, online competition designed to engage community members in using the suite of free courses available on the Community Skills Initiative website. 

Participants in the UpSkill-A-Thon competition can compete individually or in teams of two to four people. Each course completed before November 16 will earn points in the competition. The more you learn, the more points you earn! The top winners in each of the three categories will win cash prizes.

Our local UpSkill-A-Thon competition runs from November 16 and is open for anyone living in Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Ferry, and Okanogan counties.

UpSkill-A-Thon Competition Categories & Cash Prizes are as follows. 16-24 years old; ‍$1,500 first place, $1,000 second place, and $500 third place. ‍25 years and older; ‍$1,500 first place, $1,000 second place, and $500 third place. Teams of 2-4 people; ‍$2,000 first place, $1,500 second place, and $500 third place.