EMPOWERING
LEADERS

LIFE LEADERS

FAMILY LEADERS

CAREER LEADERS

FREE career training. Land a new career in just 6 Months.

Change Course Icon

Change Course

FREE TRAINING TO GET YOU ON THE PATH TO A NEW CAREER

Change Course is a career development program that provides training in highly sought-after skills along with leadership and personal development, to give people in Des Moines a way to stop living paycheck to paycheck and launch a career.

Affordable, effective, and short-term career training is almost impossible to find. Change Course has identified highly sought-after careers in our community. We offer free training and pay you to start a new career in as little as four months. Students who have completed the program in other areas of the country are earning on average more than $18 per hour in jobs with upward mobility and full benefits, including health care and paid vacation time.

Freedom Awaits

Change Course graduates complete the program with a new job skill, a livable wage career, and a strong sense of community and support. After graduation, Leaders join the Alumni Association where they will receive continued services, including financial coaching, professional development opportunities, and the opportunity to give back to future Leaders.

Change Course CEO, Joseph Johnson’s testimony

LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

Leaders apply and are accepted into a six-month-long program broken into three phases.

Icon representing personal and professional growth

GROWTH

The first 6 weeks of the program is dedicated to personal and professional growth. We don’t just want Leaders to land a job—we want them to be the best version of themself, so they can find a career that lasts!

Icon representing professional certification

CERTIFICATION

Leaders work to complete a professional certification or pre-apprenticeship course in their selected career track.

Icon representing professional landing job with their skill set

LAND THE JOB

Once Leaders complete the certification stage, they graduate the program by landing a job in their career track. We’ll work to connect them with employers and jobs that fit their skill set.

Tools for Development

  • One-on-one coaching sessions
  • 100+ hours of personal development
  • Up to 35 life and career skills taught

If you’d like more information regarding Change Course, click the button below.

CAREER PROGRAMS

A better future awaits our leaders after they complete their chosen six-month career training program. Change Course offers 35 life and career skills that can be adjusted according to the need of the Des Moines area job market. Our corporate partners keep us informed of the skills they look for in good job candidates as their needs change.

Energy Career with Change Course

Energy

Medical admistration

Medical Administration

Semi driver with CDL (Commercial drivers license)

Commercial Driver (CDL)

Information Technology (IT) Worker

Information Technology

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service

Construction Trades - Electrician working on building

Skilled Trades

Administration Assistant

Administrative Assistant

Certified nursing assistant (CNA)

Medical Healthcare

Culinary Services - Future Course

Culinary Services

Animal Care - Future Course

Animal Care

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service

Animal Care - Future Course

Animal Care

FREE career training with Change Course. Land a new career in just 6 Months.

If you’d like more information, click the button below.

So excited to be a part of the @genesisyouthfoundation Ubuntu Leadership Summit happening in June!

The Genesis Youth Foundation, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Workforce, Human and Health Services, Drake University, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Hope+Elim, Kyles AME Zion Church, Change Course, and OPX is hosting the 2023 Ubuntu Leadership Summit from June 19th through 24th. This free event is geared towards information sharing and connecting community members to resources available through state agencies and other community organizations within the Greater Des Moines area. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

There will be roundtable conversations regarding challenges facing adults/parents and all youth, including immigrant and refugee youth, black and brown youth, and at-risk youth living within Central Iowa. All community members and leaders are encouraged to attend this amazing event. In addition, it is a chance to share knowledge and inspire youths and adults through training workshops, storytelling, small group conversations, and more.

So excited to be a part of the @genesisyouthfoundation Ubuntu Leadership Summit happening in June! The Genesis Youth Foundation, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Workforce, Human and Health Services, Drake University, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Hope+Elim, Kyles AME Zion Church, Change Course, and OPX is hosting the 2023 Ubuntu Leadership Summit from June 19th through 24th. This free event is geared towards information sharing and connecting community members to resources available through state agencies and other community organizations within the Greater Des Moines area. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  There will be roundtable conversations regarding challenges facing adults/parents and all youth, including immigrant and refugee youth, black and brown youth, and at-risk youth living within Central Iowa. All community members and leaders are encouraged to attend this amazing event. In addition, it is a chance to share knowledge and inspire youths and adults through training workshops, storytelling, small group conversations, and more.

Come see us tomorrow, May 20 from 8:00 to 10:30AM at Valley Church in West Des Moines for the Garage No Sale! A community drive to provide individuals and families in need with various items to help with basic life needs. Everything is free, including a new career!! 

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Garage NO Sale is an opportunity for you to put your love for your neighbors and heart of generosity into action. Through partnerships with community agencies, we invite people in our area to come shop for whatever they may need. And everything is FREE!

https://valley.church/garage-no-sale/

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Garage NO Sale at Valley Church
4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
8:00am - 10:00am

Come see us tomorrow, May 20 from 8:00 to 10:30AM at Valley Church in West Des Moines for the Garage No Sale! A community drive to provide individuals and families in need with various items to help with basic life needs. Everything is free, including a new career!! ——- Garage NO Sale is an opportunity for you to put your love for your neighbors and heart of generosity into action. Through partnerships with community agencies, we invite people in our area to come shop for whatever they may need. And everything is FREE! https://valley.church/garage-no-sale/ ——- Garage NO Sale at Valley Church 4343 Fuller Road, West Des Moines 8:00am - 10:00am

We want to extend a very warm welcome to our two newest board members, James & Julian! They have already been so instrumental in offering new perspectives and experience that we know will continue to help guide us long into the future. We look forward to having you both on the team!

We want to extend a very warm welcome to our two newest board members, James & Julian! They have already been so instrumental in offering new perspectives and experience that we know will continue to help guide us long into the future. We look forward to having you both on the team!

Change Course graduation has commenced! We are SO proud of our graduates 🩵💙🩵💙

Change Course graduation has commenced! We are SO proud of our graduates 🩵💙🩵💙

GRADUATION IS TOMORROW!! And you’re all invited. Our Alpha Class of 2023 graduates have worked so hard to get to this place, and we can’t wait to celebrate them. Please join us! Admission is free, just RSVP at the link in our bio. 

Change Course Graduation Ceremony & Reception
2:00PM - 4:00PM
At Hope + Elim, 2500 University Ave

GRADUATION IS TOMORROW!! And you’re all invited. Our Alpha Class of 2023 graduates have worked so hard to get to this place, and we can’t wait to celebrate them. Please join us! Admission is free, just RSVP at the link in our bio. Change Course Graduation Ceremony & Reception 2:00PM - 4:00PM At Hope + Elim, 2500 University Ave

Our first cohort is graduating THIS SATURDAY! The Alpha Class of 2023 will be walking down the aisle with diplomas in their hands on Saturday, May 6 in the Hope+Elim Auditorium. Please come support them as they step into their new lives.

1:30pm - 2:00pm - Guests are seated
2:00pm-3:00pm - Graduation Ceremony*
3:00pm - 4:00pm - Reception**

LINK IN BIO to RSVP (admission is free)

*Childcare will not be provided. Please plan accordingly.
**Light refreshments will be provided at the reception

Our first cohort is graduating THIS SATURDAY! The Alpha Class of 2023 will be walking down the aisle with diplomas in their hands on Saturday, May 6 in the Hope+Elim Auditorium. Please come support them as they step into their new lives. 1:30pm - 2:00pm - Guests are seated 2:00pm-3:00pm - Graduation Ceremony* 3:00pm - 4:00pm - Reception** LINK IN BIO to RSVP (admission is free) *Childcare will not be provided. Please plan accordingly. **Light refreshments will be provided at the reception

FOUNDING SPONSORS

Foster Group - Change Course Founding Sponsor
Emerge Academy logo with bird
Foster Group - Change Course Founding Sponsor
Shindler Anderson Goplerud and Weese PC Logo
Foster Group - Change Course Founding Sponsor

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