
UpSkill Tulare County promotes training and advancement practices to help businesses and workers stay competitive. The UpSkill training initiative helps businesses increase the skills of entry level workers while promoting advancement in the workplace.
How does it work:
-
UpSkill provides funds to cover the cost of the training courses, instructors, and materials.
-
UpSkill works with businesses to identify desired skill sets that will make employees more competitive.
-
UpSkill partners with local trainers to provide technical and soft skills training courses.
-
Businesses can send current employees through any of the 9 approved training courses.

11
Business served
229
Incumbent Workers Trained
13
Cohorts Completed
Why Participate in UpSkill?
“The reasons vary, but frequently employers tell us they are looking to equip their workers with the emerging skills they need in the workplace so both the workers and the business can succeed.” (Jaime Fall, Upskill America)
Electric Motor Shop and Supply sent 7 employees to the Essential Workplace Skills training and 3 additional employees to the Front-Line Supervisor training. “This training provides an opportunity for growth for my current and upcoming Supervisors, met a need of the company for internal improvement, and satisfies my desire to promote from within.” (Rodney Wilson)
JoAnn West Coast Distribution Center was having a difficult time finding training due to budgetary constraints. “We know we have team members who have potential, but they need training to polish their skills. We are not able to provide that training internally. We are always looking for ways to engage our employees. This is a good way to build team strength and increase morale.” (Bruce Nicotero, General Manager)
Upcoming Training Dates
2020 Dates TBD
2020 Dates TBD
Approved Trainings
Frequently Asked Questions
How are training providers chosen?
All Upskill Tulare County training providers are selected though a formal request for proposal process. When a training is identified the Workforce Investment Board sends out a request for proposal to all know local training providers. Providers then submit proposals which are reviewed and rated by local Industry Partners. Based on the recommendations of the Industry Partners, the Workforce Investment Board adds the training provider to a list of approved providers.
- Who decides which trainings will be offered?
The WIB Business Services Team collects information from local employer partners to determine which skills trainings are currently needed. This information is then shared with advisory boards and collaborative organizations to find out if the training is relevant.
- What is the cost of the training to the employer?
- Are trainees required to complete out of class assignments?
Most Upskill Tulare County trainings require no out of class assignments. There are a few trainings that have an online element to the trainings. The online portion of the training is completed by the employee on their own time. Online training elements are denoted in the training hours and description of each Upskill training.
- What information is required from the employee to participate in an Upskill training?
In order to fund the training classes employers must provide the Workforce Investment Board with employee full name, social security number, and wages. This information is collected for State reporting purposes to verify that the trainings are being provided to eligible workers.
- Can the training schedule be customized?
- Can the training schedule be customized?
- Where are the trainings held?
- Where are the trainings held?
Trainings can be held at employer sites, or partner sites like Fresno Pacific University, College of the Sequoias (Visalia or Tulare campus) or Fresno State University Visalia Campus.
- What is the minimum size of a training cohort?
The minimum number of participants in a cohort is 17.
- Does a single company have to fill the entire cohort?
No. Cohorts may be filled by a single employer with 17+ participants or it may be filled by multiple employers each sending a number of employees.
How can I find out if my company qualifies for UpSkill Tulare County
Any business that would like more information about the UpSkill Tulare County program and its qualification requirements should contact Nicola Wissler at 559-713-5208.
Which employees are ideal candidates for UpSkill training?
While any employee may participate in an UpSkill Tulare County training cohort, ideal candidates are working in entry level or low wage jobs ($21.00 or less an hour), show potential for growth within the company, and have been employed for 6+ months with their current employer.
We encourage businesses to look at the entire company talent pool when selecting individuals to participate in UpSkill Tulare County.
Example job titles that fit the “Ideal” UpSkill Tulare County participants include:
Health Care:
- Pharmacy Aids
- Physical Therapist Aids
- Psychiatric Aids
- Orderlies
- Recreational Therapists
- Phlebotomists
- Massage Therapists
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Home Health Aides
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Nursing Assistants
- Medical Assistants
- Clinic Representatives
- Patient Access Specialists
- Medical Business Office Specialists
- Laundry Staff
- Food Staff
- Secretary
- Patient Accounts Clerk
- Financial Counselor
- Accounting Technician
Industrial:
- Labor & Freight Movers
- Stock and Material Movers
- Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Drivers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Packaging & Filling Machines Operators
- Food Batchmakers
- Light Truck Drivers
- Delivery Services Drivers
- Assemblers
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters
- Welders
- Electrical Assemblers
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers
- Machinists
- Machine Setters
- Material Collectors
- Machine Operators
- Food Processing Workers
- Conveyor Operators