Training getting former welfare recipients into the work force

BOULDER — Although Hope Kay, 29, had worked several years doing medical insurance filing and had extensive computer experience, she didn’t know how to use the computer spreadsheet program Excel.

And nine out of 10 jobs the former welfare recipient applied for required Excel proficiency. So Kay enrolled in a Excel training class at Workforce Boulder County (a government-funded agency) offered as part of the federal government’s “welfare-to-work” push.

After learning the computer spreadsheet program, Kay now works 30 hours per week as a bookkeeper for a homeowner’s association at an area…