With Unemployment Numbers Rising, CSM Invites Community to Attend a Virtual Open House for Continuing Education/Workforce Development

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will host a Virtual Open House July 29 at 5 p.m. for the community to learn about the numerous programs in place that make instruction and certifications affordable, accessible and pertinent to today’s ever-changing workforce.

“Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that first-time applications for unemployment benefits topped 1.3 million last week, and 10,568 of those claims were filed by Marylanders,” shared CSM Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Ellen Flowers-Fields. “We know our communities are hurting and need help retooling for their current careers, or need help getting started in a new career.”

Fields is leading CSM’s partnership with the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) in a new regional workforce development collaboration set to immediately respond to the economic catastrophe caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TCCSMD’s Workforce Development Division and CSM’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development Division have partnered to launch the Getting Southern Maryland Back to Work initiative – a joint effort that creates a transparent, accessible and coordinated pathway to skills upgrade training and re-employment for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the crisis.

“The Getting Southern Maryland Back to Work initiative has one objective: To provide skill development and assist in the re-employment of our citizens,” said CSM Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Ellen Flowers-Fields. “Our communities have suffered and are facing further economic risk. We are compelled to act now before people relocate to seek work thus making it harder for local industries to rebound.  We plan to deliver real solutions that keep our neighbors working, keep our businesses open and create an employment ecosystem for new businesses to begin. 

Join CSM’s Virtual Open House July 29 and learn how to start a new career or advance in your current one; live a happier, healthier life; or broaden the horizons of you and your family with personal enrichment courses and programs like Simple Spanish and Kids’ and Teen College. Let us help you navigate your personal learning journey to suit your interests and goals. Hear directly from CSM’s instructors and learn about the programs from the comfort of your own home.