Gap and Atlanta Technical College Launch Job Skills Training Course for Students

/PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) announced today (February 17) the start of Gap for Community Colleges, a partnership between Atlanta Technical College (ATC) and Gap Inc. as part of White House Initiative 'Skills for America's Future.' The program will provide community college students with the skills and knowledge to be successful and competitive in the workforce.

"For more than 40 years, Gap Inc. has been committed to improving education in the communities where we live and work. We are proud to participate in this White House initiative and expand our job training programs to more cities to support efforts to improve the economy. Our hope is that Gap for Community Colleges can be part of the solution to improve workforce competitiveness here in the U.S.," said Eva Sage-Gavin, Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources & Corporate Affairs.

Starting today, students at ATC will have access to the same comprehensive training curriculum given to Gap store managers. This is the first time Gap will offer this program outside of its own organization. The in-house developed Gap for Community Colleges program is designed to help students get ahead in the career of their choice. The workshop material covers job search preparation materials such as interview skills and resume writing, practical workplace skills such as managing people and setting priorities and how to effectively communicate in the workplace. Students also receive on-the-job experience with an opportunity to job shadow a Gap manager in a store.

"We believe that by sharing Gap's proven training curriculum, community college students will gain valuable skills and experiences that will help them be better prepared for their career goals. This is exactly what is needed to develop a strong talent pool for our stores and the communities where we operate," said Sherrica Hill, General Manager Gap Atlanta.

"Gap is one of the largest employers in the United States. We hope that by providing our students with access to the same curriculum given to Gap store managers, our students will be better prepared to join the workforce," said Alvetta Peterman Thomas, president of ATC.

In addition to providing tailored workshops, Gap Inc. is offering scholarship assistance and job placement opportunities. Students will be eligible for sixty-five $1,000 scholarships. (Scholarship eligibility is based on each community college's guidelines.) Gap will invite students to apply for a job and expects to hire up to 1,200 students from community colleges in 2011.

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