Grambling State University has entered a new partnership with a company that will help it offer continuing education to students, military members and their families, and the GSU community at large! Get more information from the GSU release below.

Grambling State University’s Office of Continuing Education and Service-Learning has partnered with ProTrain, a leader in continuing education to bring quality training to GSU students and the community that meets national, regional, and local requirements leading to careers in high demand fields. Served industries include: healthcare; information technology; business and leadership; and industrial and skilled trades. Course offerings are ideal for both career entry and career advancement opportunities.

Left to right: Dr. Rory Bedford, Michelle Hopwood and Miloni Perera (Credit: Grambling State University)

The partnership offers various programs for individuals, corporate, and government including Military Tuition Assistance (TA), Military Spouses Scholarship (MyCAA), Wounded Warriors, Veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation, and those that are Unemployed or Underemployed (WIOA).  While all persons who desire to retool or enhance their current educational skills can take advantage of the resources available through the Office of Continuing Education and Service-Learning, the ProTrain agreement provides special opportunities and financial assistance for the military community.

“ProTrain is proud to serve our military and their families in helping them achieve their educational goals,” said ProTrain Chief Operating Officer Kevin M. Smith, a retired U.S. Army colonel.

The partnership also provides an affordable solution for students seeking in-demand careers.

“When we began working on this agreement, we wanted to make sure that we could meet the needs of both the community and the student body as it relates to career readiness,” said Dr. Rory Bedford, director of Continuing Education and Service-Learning. “We are excited that our partnership with ProTrain expands our course offerings towards our goal.”

He said that participants will be able to retool and gain important training to enhance and further their careers in an online format. In addition, students can earn a degree and add certifications that place them in a position to be more marketable than those who do not have certifications.

“When we approached Dr. Connie Walton, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, she worked in concert with us to make sure that the courses and agreement met guidelines provided by the University of Louisiana System,” Bedford said. “President Rick Gallot and the University of Louisiana System recognized the value of the partnership and approved the agreement.”

ProTrain Chief Executive Officer Betty L. Gardner said that education is the key to our future.

“It is the one gift that we can give ourselves that neither the economy nor other forces can take from us,” she said. “Our communities and society continue to benefit from the quality education with which we reward ourselves. ProTrain provides the real-world employer with relevant, highly sought after, training for real people. Education is the bridge to your future.”

Over the past month, Bedford, Miloni Perera, Michelle Hopwood, and others have been meeting with representatives from ProTrain to receive training to launch the program. It officially launched on the GSU website on October 1, 2021.  Access to course information and payment methods are available at https://gram.theknowledgebase.org/  or email hopwoodm@gram.edu or pereram@gram.edu.