Manchester Community College and Penn Foster Partner to Expand MCC’s Career and Certificate Offerings

Penn Foster, a leader in career-focused online and hybrid education designed to address the skills gap in America, and Manchester Community College (MCC), a leading community college in Manchester, New Hampshire, have announced a partnership that will expand the career offerings through MCC’s Workforce Development Center.  The programs, which include administrative assistant, occupational therapy aid, physical therapy aid and computer support technician courses, were chosen by the college based on the needs of local employers and the labor force, and they will help the Workforce Development Center to continue fulfilling its mission of providing quality, learner-centered growth opportunities for the community through professional development and training.  

“As the middle skills gap continues to affect the American workforce, this partnership with Manchester Community College is a way to give students the affordable, flexible training they need to fill local positions in demand in their community,” said Frank F. Britt, CEO of Penn Foster. “Our partnership with Manchester Community College and our recent move to Boston is reflective of Penn Foster’s commitment to the New England area, and we hope to set an example for other institutions seeking to adopt programs that benefit the workforce and the community.”

Like Penn Foster, Manchester Community College is dedicated to preparing students to continue a lifetime of learning by giving them skills they need to be successful in their chosen careers. Through the partnership, students will have the opportunity to register for online education courses they can take on their own time, at their own pace while balancing life and work commitments.

“As valuable as this partnership is for Penn Foster and MCC, we believe the students and the local community will benefit the most from this new model of career technical training,” said Kathy DesRoches, director of MCC’s Workforce Development Center. “Penn Foster’s vast experience in online and hybrid interactive education will help prepare MCC students to fill local jobs in demand by providing them with a flexible and affordable option to get the training and education they need.”