City of Modesto Funds Scholarships to Modesto Residents
City of Modesto Funds Scholarships to VOLT Institute for Modestans Impacted by COVID-19
The City of Modesto agreed on Tuesday, September 22 to help 20 city residents adversely impacted by COVID-19 recover from economic devastation by providing full scholarships to VOLT Institute. The training provided is in the area of Maintenance Mechanics, an area of coursework created as a response to high employer demand in Stanislaus County.
Classes begin in the fall on October 20 with additional enrollment starting again in January. The 360-hour training includes 27 hours of soft skills and instruction on LEAN principles as well as hands-on learning in the areas of mechanical drives, pumps, basic electrical, PLC, pneumatics, production assembly, machine tools, welding, rigging, and print reading. Afternoon and evening classes are available. Instructors with industry experience ensure mastery of all sections and provide rigorous safety training.
Jessica Narayan, a Community Development Manager for the City of Modesto, expressed enthusiasm around the venture. “The City of Modesto is excited to partner with Opportunity Stanislaus through the VOLT program to provide scholarships to mitigate the negative impact by the virus on people's livelihood and will help stabilize the local economy as well as give hope and economic strength to many local Modesto families.”
David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus, a leading partner with fiduciary responsibility for VOLT, agreed. “This is a win-win for employers who are trying to fill critical positions, for people who unfortunately lost their jobs and for the community at large,” said White, who then noted that the current student placement rate for VOLT Institute is 96%. “We are confident that we can help program participants get on the path to a rewarding career upon completion of our program. The average salary for someone with a few years of experience and training as a Maintenance Mechanic is $28.14 so this could be transformative.” The other leading partner, the Stanislaus County Office of Education, houses VOLT Institute at their Tom Changnon Education Center at 1310 I Street and provides the educational credentials and support for VOLT.
Eligibility criteria requires that all applicants be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Modesto with a valid high school diploma or GED as well as qualify as being beneath the determined income threshold. Additionally, basic math and workplace skills are verified through WorkKeys testing. Scholarship recipients will be required to secure the investment in their education with applications to Valley First Credit Union for the total sum of their training costs. In the event recipients fail to complete the training the balance of the loan will be due. The program is first-come, first-served for applicants.
20 Scholarships Available For Modesto Residents
How to apply:
20 Modesto residents adversely impacted by COVID-19 may receive full scholarships to VOLT Institute to help recover from economic devastation.
The training provided is in the area of Maintenance Mechanics, an area of coursework created as a response to high employer demand in Stanislaus County.
Applicants must attend this informational orientation to determine eligibility and apply for the VOLT, CDBG scholarship program. Register for eligibility orientation at the link below.
Scholarship applications will be made available at the time of orientation.
To determine your eligibility for the CDBG scholarship program you must meet the requirements below. The information you provided by you will be verified. Information provided by you should be true and correct to the best of your knowledge. You will be asked to provide information pertaining, but not limited to employment status, COVID-19 impact status about your former or current employment, household income eligibility, ethnicity,
veteran status, and race.
To determine your eligibility you must:
• Be 18+ years of age at the time of enrollment.
• Be a resident of Modesto, Ca.
• Supply a copy of your valid driver’s license or state ID
• Supply a copy of your High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Complete City of Modesto CDBG data form.
Provide verification that you have lost your job or have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and to determine household income eligibility as required by CDBG in one or more of the following ways:
1. Unemployment benefits letter/verification from program participant, if any
a. If no unemployment benefits verification is available, collect notarized zero-income
certification
b. Or secure a letter from their previous employer denoting that they have either been laid
off, furloughed or had their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19.
2. Household income verification: collecting the following income information for all
household members over the age of 18:
a. Most recent tax returns
b. Combine annual income of all household members; combined household income must
not exceed 80% of the AMI for Stanislaus County/Modesto MSA.
c. Show 2-3 pay stubs from the previous employer that laid off or furloughed the
employee.
• Complete the WorkKeys Assessment with a minimum score of 4 in Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents, and Applied Math.
• Complete all VOLT Institute enrollment application forms.
After your application is submitted you will be asked to make an appointment to submit copies
of above documents, discuss tuition options and enrollment contracts.
Classes begin in the fall on October 20 with additional enrollment starting again in January.
Students will be admitted as space is available.
The 360-hour training includes 27 hours of soft skills and instruction on LEAN principles as well as hands-on learning in the areas of mechanical drives, pumps, basic electrical, PLC, pneumatics, production assembly, machine tools, welding, rigging, and print reading. Afternoon and evening classes are available. Instructors with industry experience ensure mastery of all sections and provide rigorous safety training.
This self-paced program can be completed in 6 to 8 months.
Combine annual income of all household members.
Combined household income must not exceed 80% of the AMI for Stanislaus County/Modesto MSA.