Photo By Rick Emert | FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Jared Wickert with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th...... read more read more
By Norm Shifflett
Garrison Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Army Credentialing Assistance Program was launched at Fort Carson Oct. 1, 2019.
This program allows Soldiers to use up to $4,000 of credentialing assistance toward approved credentialing programs per year. There are over 1,500 credentials available through the program.
Since its launch, 103 Soldiers have requested information, 68 Soldiers have attended briefings and five Soldiers have submitted packets for funding approval.
The education center has seen a steady flow of Soldiers who are interested in the program.
Kathryne Jones, Army guidance counselor apprentice, said the staff can sit down with Soldiers and discover what their goals are and the possibilities of how to get there. The credentialing program offers another option. Credentials are certifications and licensing that show that an individual has met a certain standard pertaining to a specific occupation.
“When I am counseling (Soldiers) it’s basically another exciting opportunity that I can present to them,” said Jones.
For instance, a nurse practitioner or welder would need to show they have completed specific training to qualify for a position.
Sgt. Jordan Paitsel, with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attended a briefing on the program and said she is looking to get credentials in plumbing to help fill the void in that high-demand field.
“Kids these days don’t want to do manual labor such as plumbing, carpeting or drywalling, and those who know how to do it are getting older or are no longer around,” said Paitsel.
Soldiers who are interested in the program are encouraged to attend a briefing.
“It is highly recommended that Soldiers attend a briefing so they can find out what the credentialing assistance program is all about, what the funding limitations are and how the program works,” said Rebecca Schlecht, Fort Carson education services officer.
Briefings on the credentialing assistance program are offered through the education center. They are held in building 1012 every Wednesday at 2 p.m. Soldiers must sign in at the front desk 15 minutes prior to the briefing. After the briefing the Soldier will be emailed the required application packet.
The packet must be submitted correctly for a smooth process. If an error is found or a document is missing, the packet will be rejected and the submission process will start over. Therefore, the education center staff suggests that when Soldiers are ready to submit their packets, they sit down with a counselor to look over the packet and ensure it is complete and error free.
Soldiers can find more information at https://www.cool.army.mil/ or go to the front desk of the education center and speak to a counselor about the credentialing program.
The Army Credentialing Assistance Program offers Soldiers an alternative to traditional education to help them reach their educational goals for military or future civilian careers.
| Date Taken: | 11.13.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2019 13:43 |
| Story ID: | 356240 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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