Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Southern Union State Community College Adult Education Department recently launched a 4-week, On-line Workkeys Course designed to prepare individuals to take the Workkeys test. Nine students were oriented, pre-tested, assigned on-line lessons to complete prior to the fourth week, and then administered the Workkeys test. Students receive a Career Readiness Certificate after successfully completing the program.
The Workkeys test is a job skills assessment test that measures “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation, skilled or professional, and at any level of education. The three components of WorkKeys test to receive a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) are Locating Information, Applied Mathematics, and Reading for Information.
Dr. Linda North, Dean of Academics, had a special interest in developing a curriculum that would assist individuals who may have experienced academic challenges toward achieving a bronze level or higher on the Workkeys test. Derika Griffin, Director of Adult Education, and Annie Gamill, Student Case Manager, designed and implemented the course.
The majority of the students enrolled in the initial program were employed with East Alabama Medical Center. Several students stated they would like to use the course to enhance their academics and the CRC for promotional opportunities. The next orientation for the On-line Workkeys Course is scheduled for Dec. 6. If interested, please contact Annie Gamill at (334) 745-6437 ext. 5363 or agamill@suscc.edu.
The Adult Education Department has also developed two additional programs, the Bridge Program and Career Pathways. The Bridge Program is an enrichment program designed to assist SUSCC students who require remediation and an alternative to enrolling in developmental classes. This program is ongoing. Career Pathways is a dual enrollment program designed for students enrolled in a GED class to earn a short certificate in Child Development, Nurse Assistant, Business, Machine Shop Technology, and Truck Driving. It creates a “Ladder of Success” for GED students to enter the workforce. Career Pathway will be implemented January 2017.
For more information on the Bridge Program, contact Wendy Fields at (334) 745-6437 ext. 5408 or wfields@suscc.edu and for Career Pathways, contact June Abercrombie at (334) 745-6437 ext. 5341 or juneabercrombie@suscc.edu.