Purpose and Goals
The FutureTech Accelerator at GRCC is a new professional development course being built within Canvas for all FutureTech participants. Its goal is to prepare participants for success in the workplace through training in essential “power skills.”
Power skills are often referred to as “soft skills,” but they are anything but soft: employers consistently cite them as key to employee effectiveness, team dynamics, and retention. These include communication, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and workplace behavior.
The FutureTech Accelerator is designed to strengthen these competencies before participants enter or re-enter the workforce, helping employers gain talent that is not only trained, but workplace-ready.
Focus Areas
The course (in development) will feature modules on:
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Interview preparation and professional dress
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Communication in the workplace
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Navigating interpersonal situations
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Time management and goal setting
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Emotional regulation and self-awareness
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Financial literacy and life logistics
Modules may include interactive, gamified elements that simulate real-world social and professional scenarios: helping learners practice and reflect in digitized, low-stakes environments.
Program Priorities
Workplace Readiness: Equip learners with skills that help them show up prepared, communicate clearly, and adapt to professional settings.
Consistency: Ensure that all FutureTech participants receive a shared foundation in professional behavior and expectations.
Self-Paced Flexibility: Allow participants to complete the experience independently through Canvas, with proposed oversight from an instructional team.
Practical Impact: Reduce onboarding friction and improve workplace success for new hires.
Consortium and Partnerships
While the FutureTech Accelerator is being designed by instructional experts, input from local employers, career advisors, and staff will inform content design.
Anticipated engagement areas include:
Sustainable Systems Change
The Accelerator reflects a broader institutional goal: integrating career readiness and professional development into the heart of technical education. Over time, FutureTech intends to:
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Maintain the Accelerator as a reusable resource for future students
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Expand its use into other programs
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House it within GRCC’s Career & Student Employment Services for continued support
Together, these systems help FutureTech and GRCC ensure that graduates enter the workforce not just with technical training—but with the professionalism and confidence needed to succeed in today's workspace.