A new report from the (UHERO) emphasizes the crucial role of the UH Community Colleges’ Good Jobs �鶹��ý (GJH) program in successfully placing residents into high-demand, higher-paying careers. The preliminary analysis by Rachel Inafuku provides more evidence that these targeted training programs are helping families combat �鶹��ý’s persistent, high cost of living.

“Consistent with the , average real quarterly wages for [Good Jobs �鶹��ý] completers were more than $2,000 higher two quarters after program completion than two quarters prior,” the report said. This increase demonstrates how these short-term programs are creating essential earning power.

Higher healthcare earnings

The most dramatic gains were found among those who transitioned into a new field after training. In healthcare, the largest GJH pathway, participants who switched from non-healthcare industries—such as retail or food services—saw their average quarterly earnings rise by more than $5,500 two quarters after completion. This amounts to an annualized earnings increase of $22,000 for workers entering a sector with sustained high demand due to �鶹��ý’s aging population.

Significant gains for skilled trades

Similarly, skilled trades completers realized significant wage gains, earning roughly $2,600 more per quarter post-program. Employment patterns for this group also shifted away from lower-wage sectors and toward construction, manufacturing and public administration, aligning with the state’s thriving construction industry and its well-above-average wages.

Smaller increases for tech

Outcomes varied by sector. Technology students—many of whom were mid-career workers with pre-program earnings higher than the average GJH student—experienced smaller wage increases and more modest changes in industry placement.

Read more UH News Good Jobs �鶹��ý stories

Overall, these findings highlight how post-training earnings trajectories reflect both the specific skills acquired and the broader structure of �鶹��ý’s labor market.

Inafuku said, “As �鶹��ý continues to face a high demand for workers in critical sectors alongside persistent cost-of-living pressures, workforce programs that align training with industry needs can address both challenges—placing workers in more stable, higher-paying jobs while helping employers meet demand.”

UHERO is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

�鶹��ý residents are invited to hone high-demand creative industry skills with two production courses set for spring 2026, offered through the University of �鶹��ý Community Colleges’ initiative, in collaboration with the �鶹��ý Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division.

On-set safety, support for productions

Participants in foundational safety will learn specialized protocols, proficiencies and on-set practices for working with scaffolding, aerial lifts, forklifts and more—all key to supporting production needs and obtaining related unionized jobs in the industry. Space is limited, and for Level 1 training beginning January 12, 2026, at . Level 2 training will follow, after necessary Level 1 conditions are met.

Level 1 training will consist of five courses with 72 hours of instruction including scaffolding erection, fall protection, aerial lifts, OSHA 10 and CRP/First Aid/AED certifications. Once the first course bundle is successfully completed, an interview with a local entertainment industry partner will be scheduled.

If the participant is hired, union membership in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees commences after 30 days of employment and the employed individual will be funded to progress to Level 2 training, including scaffolding use and telehandler certification. Instruction is offered across a variety of days and times to maximize community accessibility to the courses. Fully trained and employed unionized workers can expect to earn between $50–150 per hour.

“Good Jobs �鶹��ý is expanding real opportunities for residents to enter well-paying, in-demand careers, and these courses show how the UH Community Colleges can quickly respond to the evolving needs of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s creative sector,” said Della Teraoka, interim vice president for the UH Community Colleges. “By offering accessible training that leads to industry-recognized certifications and union eligibility, we’re helping local talent build long-term careers and supporting a stronger, more resilient economy for �鶹��ý.”

Course dates for foundation safety Level 1 run January 12–February 7, 2026, with a tuition cost of $1,610. Level 2 tuition is $465. Eligible students can qualify to receive 100% tuition support. To apply and learn more, visit the or email questions to goodjobs@hawaii.edu.

More on Good Jobs �鶹��ý

A variety of free and low-cost training classes are also available to explore across fields such as education, technology, skilled trades and healthcare, that can help open doors to jobs, paid internships and apprenticeships. More than 6,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in specialized training classes since the Good Jobs �鶹��ý program launched in 2023. Learn more at the .

Free training classes for spring 2026 are now open for registration through the University of �鶹��ý Community Colleges’ initiative, offering residents a direct pathway to higher-paying careers. These training programs provide individuals the chance to upskill and earn industry certifications in high-demand sectors, including technology, healthcare, skilled trades and education, leading to good jobs, paid internships and apprenticeship pathways.

To ensure accessibility, more than $1 million in funding is available. The program is free for most eligible participants, providing a 100% tuition subsidy to cover course costs and associated training expenses, such as industry certification exam fees. Every participant also receives support from a Good Jobs �鶹��ý Navigator, who offers one-on-one assistance, career advising, connections to employers, and referrals to community partners.

The program has already demonstrated significant financial benefits for participants. Since its launch in 2023, more than 6,000 residents statewide have enrolled. A preliminary analysis by the UH Economic Research Organization found that program completers saw notable increases in earnings and moved into higher-paying industries within six months of finishing the training. On average, completers earned $1,800 more per quarter—about $7,200 more per year—compared to non-completers.

“Good Jobs �鶹��ý has already made a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of residents,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “Participants are not only gaining new skills, but they are moving into higher-paying jobs, earning significantly more, and accessing greater career opportunities. These outcomes translate directly into improved quality of life for individuals, families and communities across our state.”

For those interested in high-growth fields, trainings starting in January 2026 include network technician, security analyst, electrician, optometry assistant and landscape technician.

To apply online for current trainings or to learn more visit

A ‘game changer’

“Good Jobs �鶹��ý has been a game changer for our local IT workforce,” said Vanessa Rogers, vice president of workforce development at the Chamber of Commerce �鶹��ý. “Programs like the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ pathways give residents stackable credentials that not only help them secure their first IT job but also position them for advancement into cybersecurity and network administration roles. Whether you’re just starting out or already working in the IT field, we encourage anyone interested in IT to take advantage of these free trainings and continue to upskill.”

“Good Jobs �鶹��ý is helping residents upskill and secure living wage work,” said Amy Asselbaye, executive director of the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization. “Through programs like this, we’re strengthening our workforce and creating pathways for every person to prosper.”

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel provided an update on the most recent federal policy changes that include Pell Grants. She discussed next steps to address the strategic plan and highlighted several bright spots across the UH campuses, at the July 17 Board of Regents monthly meeting held at UH ����ԴDz�.

Hensel also honored Willard Wilson Award winner Professor Robert Toonen. Read more about his valued contributions to UH and the community.

• Update on federal developments ()
• Financial reserves consolidated ()
• 18-month action plan ()
• New tool for wildfire drought and climate summaries ()
• Response and ongoing advocacy ()
• UH ����ԴDz� QS ranking ()
• Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for UH Maui College ()
• New jobs and salary gains through Good Jobs �鶹��ý ()
• Willard Wilson awardee Rob Toonen ()

Limited job opportunities are in store for about 30% of the nearly 170,000 youth who are projected to enter �鶹��ý’s workforce over the next decade, according to a new report pressing for urgent action.

The University of �鶹��ý is joining forces with statewide partners to address �鶹��ý’s complex workforce challenges, spotlighted in the report by the �鶹��ý Workforce Funders Collaborative (HWFC).

During a July 11 presentation to the UH Workforce Learning Community, HWFC Executive Director Matt Stevens emphasized the importance of statewide stakeholder collaboration to reshape education and job pathways.

“There aren’t going to be enough good jobs, and the education pathways we have aren’t necessarily leading to jobs that pay enough to survive,” Stevens said. “If we don’t create bold, strategic actions together as a system, we really do risk losing the next generation of workers before their careers even begin.”

Stackable credentials, curricula alignment, more

The report makes recommendations for a wide range of stakeholders. Its higher education recommendations include enhancing career counseling, building stackable credentials (a series of smaller credentials, such as certificates, that can be combined to build toward a degree), expanding microcredential programs, and aligning curricula with high-growth sectors such as healthcare, clean energy and technology.

“There’s a big collaborative effort to align our initiatives and adopt best practices in our state to see if we can actually make some measurable progress on workforce development goals,” said Christine Beaule, UH director of workforce development. “UH is a key collaborator to strengthen workforce opportunities with partners in the �鶹��ý Department of Education, industry, other state agencies, and the philanthropic sector.”

Additional strategies call for using real-time data to inform program design, strengthening employer partnerships and redesigning on-campus jobs to include mentorship and skill-building. There are both short-term and long-term recommendations for other stakeholder groups such as government, K–12 education, and business and industry.

“This is not just about education reform,” Stevens said. “It’s about ensuring every resident has a chance at a future-ready, family-sustaining career—one that lets them stay and thrive in �鶹��ý.”

The report envisions 100% of working-age residents having access to quality, locally rooted career opportunities by 2035.

Participants who completed the (GJH) program—a tuition-free, non-credit training program offered through the —experienced notable increases in earnings and transitions into higher-paying industries six months after completion, according to a preliminary analysis from the (UHERO).

UHERO said that participants who completed GJH training experienced an average increase of $1,800 in real quarterly wages—equivalent to about $7,200 on an annualized basis—compared to $780 for non-completers.

“These early findings offer encouraging signals,” stated Tim Halliday and Rachel Inafuku in the blog post. “The observed patterns suggest that Good Jobs �鶹��ý may be associated with increased wages and shifts into higher-paying sectors—factors that align with broader goals of economic mobility. While the current analysis is preliminary, continued investment in data infrastructure will be critical for assessing the program’s long-term influence and understanding which components are most effective.”

Big gains for skilled trades, clean energy, healthcare

Wage gains were particularly significant in the skilled trades and clean energy sectors, where completers earned 35% more than non-completers. In healthcare, completers earned 19% more six months post-completion, rising to 23% more by the fourth quarter.

Geographic differences emerged, with UH Maui College participants seeing the highest post-program earnings growth at 22%.

The data also revealed shifts in employment sectors. Many completers left lower-wage industries, such as food service, and entered fields such as healthcare, construction and public administration. Participants who switched industries after completing training saw significantly higher wage gains than those who remained in the same field.

Disparities remain

While short-term gains were promising, disparities remained. Women, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants earned less than their peers. And those with a high school diploma or less saw the largest average increase—about $2,000 more per quarter than their pre-program earnings.

The authors note their analysis reflects a relatively new program with a small sample size—fewer than 2,000 individuals—and a short follow-up period of typically two quarters after completion. As a result, it does not capture longer-term earnings trends.

However, they said, “As the initiative progresses, programs like Good Jobs �鶹��ý have the potential to strengthen �鶹��ý’s economic resilience by creating pathways for residents to access higher-paying jobs.”

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UHERO is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý is playing a key role in preparing local students for careers in �鶹��ý’s growing technology sector. Through Good Jobs �鶹��ý, a statewide workforce development initiative supported by UH, students gained hands-on experience in user interface (UI), user experience (UX) and graphic design, thanks to a partnership with local creative agency Co. and Zippy’s.

With few tech firms based in the islands, many aspiring designers are forced to move to the continental U.S. to gain entry-level experience. Piʻikū Co. aims to reverse this trend by equipping kamaʻāina with practical skills tailored to the needs of local companies. Rather than outsourcing its design work, Zippy’s partnered with Piʻikū Co. to bring �鶹��ý students in-house to support its digital and signage projects, giving students real-world exposure while strengthening �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s tech pipeline.

Michelle Tran, a local graduate of Kailua High School, struggled to find tech work after returning to Oʻahu from Claremont, California. That changed when she completed an eight-week internship through Piʻikū Co. She now works as a full-time UI/UX designer on Oʻahu.

“The Piʻikū internship played a very important role in my UX journey,” said Tran. “It was my first time working directly with a client, and I learned so much about client management.”

Programs like these directly support the UH System �鶹��ý, which prioritizes workforce development and aims to reduce brain drain by keeping talent in the islands.

The University of �鶹��ý Maui College invites prospective students nationwide to register for the cutting-edge cybersecurity workforce development program �鶹��ý Immersive Workforce, funded by a $500,000 U.S. National Security Agency grant.

UH Maui College, in partnership with the University of New Haven, is offering a free, fully online, skills-based training program designed to prepare participants for careers in four critical infrastructure sectors: energy, government facilities, finance and telecommunications. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The training consists of live weekly Zoom lectures at 4:30 p.m. HST (attendance is required). Scholarships cover tuition, course materials, and certification exam vouchers. Participants may earn certificates, badges, credits toward a certificate of competence and prepare for industry-recognized certifications (CompTIA Network+ and Security+). They will also connect with faculty and industry experts in AI and cybersecurity. The cohort has a maximum of 30 students.

“This is an important upskilling opportunity for in-demand cybersecurity jobs,” said Principal Investigator Debasis Bhattacharya. “Veterans, transitioning military, military spouses and first responders are strongly encouraged to apply.”

Program Details

Participants who complete the program will earn a certificate of competence from UH Maui College after taking the following courses:

• Summer Session II (July–August 2025): ICS 101—Digital Tools for the Information World (3 credits)
• Fall Semester 2025: ICS 169—Introduction to Information Security (3 credits), mapped to Google Cybersecurity Certification
• Spring Semester 2026: ICS 184—Introduction to Networking (3 credits), mapped to CompTIA Network+ Certification
• Fall Semester 2026: ICS 171—Introduction to Computer Security (3 credits), mapped to CompTIA Security+ Certification

This initiative complements the UH Community Colleges program by offering introductory and immersive cybersecurity certificates tailored for state and local employees, small businesses and nonprofits.

Nine University of �鶹��ý Maui College Molokaʻi-based students earned certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certifications, marking a significant milestone in local healthcare workforce development. This achievement was made possible through free training provided by Good Jobs �鶹��ý, a statewide partnership of University of �鶹��ý Community Colleges, employers and organizations committed to creating quality job opportunities for �鶹��ý residents.

Good Jobs �鶹��ý supported participants by covering tuition, fees, books, online classes and exam fees. Onsite training was made possible through partnerships with Nā Puʻuwai (the Native Hawaiian Health Care System that serves the islands of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi) and Molokai General Hospital, the only hospital on the Island of Molokaʻi.

Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare—supporting physicians by preparing exam rooms, administering vaccines, collecting lab samples and more. The students also trained in EKG, phlebotomy and injections. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is among the fastest growing professions, reflecting a national increase in healthcare needs.

Clinical training

The cohort included four students who are employees of Nā Puʻuwai—Piikea Hanaoka, Misty Kahale, Tanya Kamakeaiana and Kapua Kehano—and five students who are employees of Molokai General Hospital—John Allan Arista, Alisha Gramberg, Cindy Ledesma, Teri-Lee Phifer and Mililani Rawlins.

Participants engaged in weekly online lectures led by a UH Maui College professor while completing in-person clinical training at their job sites. This dual approach provided comprehensive education tailored to address the critical need for certified medical assistants in primary care facilities on Molokaʻi.

“This partnership has significantly enhanced the quality of care at our rural health clinic,” said MGH Director of Outpatient & Business Services Punahele Alcon. “Education investments like this improve safety, efficiency and professionalism, while strengthening our community’s healthcare capacity.”

The �鶹��ý State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) on September 24, honored University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner and UH Maui College’s Nicolette van Der Lee as part of the second annual Workforce Development Hero Awards.

Lassner was honored with the lifetime achievement award and van Der Lee was tapped for her work with the UH Community Colleges to provide free training in collaboration with �鶹��ý employers and community organizations.

The Workforce Development Hero Awards honor key contributors to workforce excellence across the islands. September is Workforce Development Month.

The DLIR pointed to Lassner’s 46 years of service at UH and that under his leadership, the UH System has become a driving force in meeting �鶹��ý’s workforce needs, setting records in research, graduation rates and inclusion of underrepresented populations.

“This recognition is an honor that so many of our UH team, like Nicolette, deserves,” Lassner said. “We have made it clear that we aim to meet the workforce needs of the industries in �鶹��ý and to prepare our students for jobs that are still coming as part of our mission to educate.”

Van Der Lee, who also served as a program manager for the UH Community Colleges, was recognized for her efforts in leading important workforce development programs such as the Hana Career Pathways and , which offers free skills training in high-demand industry sectors. This program has served thousands of �鶹��ý residents and brought in millions of dollars of federal grants to promote job training classes at the UH Community Colleges.

2024 Workforce Development Hero Award Winners

• Oʻahu: Lord Ryan Lizardo, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Ariel Villanueva, ʻEwa Makai Middle School
• Maui: Nicolette van Der Lee, University of �鶹��ý, Maui Campus
• Kauaʻi: Kaina Makua, Kumanu I Ke Ala
• �鶹��ý Island: Kevin Aki, County of �鶹��ý
• Legislator of the Year: Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz
• Lifetime Achievement Award: David Lassner, President, University of �鶹��ý

The honorees will be recognized at the Future of Work 2025 Conference on September 30, 2024.