Washington County Resident One of Several to Complete Remote Work Certification Program
Remote work presents both opportunities and challenges for individuals and organizations. NCRPC received a grant that, over the past year, has helped in developing the skills required to work remotely effectively.
The NetWorked for Change Community Solutions Grant aimed to enhance the ability of individuals to earn a higher level of income and businesses to utilize remote work as one solution to workforce issues. The project established a network for remote workers in the region by providing education to 20 individuals through the Utah State University Remote Online Initiative. A partnership with K-State Research and Extension and the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development leveraged other support materials to enhance capacity to support remote work in the future and build parts of the project that could carry on after the end of the grant.
Washington County resident Annie Yungeberg completed the remote work certification program made possible through a NetWorked for Change Community Solutions Grant this past year. (Courtesy Photo)
The grant offered scholarships for month-long online classes that offered certification as a remote work professional or remote work leader.
One of the scholarship recipients was Annie Yungeberg, a resident of Washington, Kansas, who balances her busy life with a family of four with her professional life, which includes work in a physical location and remote work. Annie and her husband both took the course.
“I signed up for the remote work training as free education seemed like a no-brainer. The future is getting more digital and remote every day. While we are very happy with our current jobs, it never hurts to be a bit more prepared for an unpredictable future,” Yungeberg said.
Annie has been working part-time remotely for 10 years. She found some new things in the course and some were a review.
“It was beneficial, especially with networking and trying out different online tools and platforms,” Yungeberg said.
Annie is a full-time preschool teacher in Washington County. She also works one day per week with an afterschool program called Infinity for students in grades 7-12. In addition, she works about two hours per day with her remote job.
“Initially, working remote was a way to have a part-time income without having to leave my house. Now, I work hours that fit better with my schedule but still manage to bring in a part-time income,” Yungeberg said. “Remote work is an exciting world, and I was encouraged by the fact that the Community Solutions grant opened that world to more people.”
Deb Ohlde, NCRPC Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, administered the grant project on behalf of the North Central Regional Planning Commission. She has worked in a remote hybrid environment for many years.
“Remote work allows individuals and families to live in our rural area, maintaining a job that they love while being actively involved in our communities,” Ohlde said. “Sometimes it’s the only way a spouse can find work in their field or that fits the schedules of busy families who may farm or ranch. For others, working from home allows them to be most productive and creative due to a quiet home office and flexibility that allow them to work during their peak hours of productivity.”
While the scholarship opportunity has ended, K-State Research and Extension continues to host Remote Work Wednesdays. These webinars are on the first Wednesday of each month at noon. Telecommunications, business leaders, or other experts address key aspects of working remotely or in a hybrid context each month.
View past webinar recordings or learn more.
For more about Annie’s story, check out the Now That’s Rural profile released by K-State Research and Extension.
This article appeared in the Quarter 2 2024 NCRPC Newsletter.
