University of Hawaii Maui College student Damien Tabon-Timbol enrolled in the Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship program.

KAHULUI — Starting this summer, there will be additional free summer job training courses available for Maui residents through the Good Jobs Hawaii initiative.

These free short-term trainings will provide opportunities for people to upskill and earn industry credentials in the healthcare, skilled trades and technology industries. Applications are now available through the Good Jobs Hawaii website.

“I became a certified Pharmacy Technician after completing a training at UH Maui College,” said Good Jobs student Ethan Kunioka. “My instructor, Dr. Valerie Matsunaga, provided a lot of support to her students, and the class was a good way to start a career in pharmacy.”

A variety of online and in-person trainings of different durations are being offered from May through August and include: Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, and Registered Behavior Technician in the healthcare sector; Information Technology courses, including CyberSecurity, Amazon Web Services certifications, and Database System and SQL; and courses such as Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship, Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing, and Introduction to Automotive Technology in the skilled trades — with all trainings leading to employment, paid internships and apprenticeship pathways.

“I enrolled in the Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship training to support my education and career goals,” said student Damien Tabon-Timbol. “I would definitely recommend the program to others because it helped me start my path to becoming a carpenter with pre-apprenticeship training and an internship at Viking Construction.”

“These summer trainings are excellent opportunities for graduating high school seniors to try a college-level course at no cost while gaining valuable skills in high-demand industries that can lead to immediate employment,” said Dan Doerger, director of Workforce Innovation at UH Community Colleges.

“Students interested in pursuing a degree or additional credentials after completing a summer training can also apply for additional funding to help them advance in their chosen college and career pathway.”

More than $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education is available for tuition this year. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs, such as books and industry certification exam fees.

The program is free for most eligible participants, since many of the trainings provide a 100 percent tuition subsidy to cover all costs.

Wrap-around services are also offered to students, including college and career advising, referrals to community partners with supportive services, and other financial assistance.

Visit the Good Jobs Hawaii website to learn more and apply online for current trainings.