photo by: Nick Krug

Peaslee Tech, located at 2920 Haskell Ave., opened in August of 2015.

Douglas County residents who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic will have the opportunity to learn skills for a new profession at no cost.

Kevin Kelley, CEO of the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, said on Thursday the tech center launched a new program for county residents called Raise Income Security and Equity, or RISE. The program allows residents who lost their jobs because of the economic downturn associated with the pandemic to enroll in the tech center’s on-campus courses for free. The program will also accept students who qualify as residents of low-income households in Douglas County.

“We’re trying to give them an opportunity to be retrained into livable-wage jobs,” Kelley said. “For many, it could be a great opportunity to move into something to do for the rest of their lives as a new career.”

Peaslee Tech’s on-campus offerings include many different courses, such as training for auto-body repair, carpentry, plumbing and welding, among many others.

Kelley said the new program currently has about $200,000 of funding, which the tech center estimates will provide no-cost tuition to about 70 people. So far nine people have already been enrolled. Kelley noted the program could expand if more funding is identified and the tech center is accepting donations.

Peaslee Tech is at 2920 Haskell Ave., Suite 100. Those interested in applying or donating to the program can contact the tech center at 785-856-1801 or info@peasleetech.org.