Created to help adults obtain the credentials needed to gain employment or move up in a current job, the new version of the introductory class was funded by the MoHealthWINs grant that was awarded to community colleges across the state and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Shonna Harden, 40, of St. Charles, was one of nine students who took advantage of the class. “When I heard about it, I knew I wanted to do it,” Harden said. “I wanted to be an example for other women with kids, and to go further in my career. Being a part of this class has been motivating. Everyone was very supportive.”
All nine students passed the College 101 class. Many of them recently participated in SCC's GED® hybrid class, created in 2012 also with funds from MoHealthWINs. SCC's GED® hybrid class is one of the tuition-free offerings at SCC made possible by the MoHealthWINs grant. Others participated in SCC's preparation classes.
The pilot College 101 class was taught by Tammie De Los Santos, SCC manager of workforce development initiatives. “You should be proud of yourselves,” De Los Santos said to the class on the last night. “Getting your GED was the first step, and we hope that by completing this class you will continue to move forward in pursuing a college degree or some type of post-secondary training.”
SCC's College 101 class is designed to assist students with the transition to college life, to explore careers in high needs areas such as healthcare, to help students succeed at SCC, and to gain skills for success as they move beyond college.
Students learned from experts across campus about enrolling for classes, financial aid, study skills and about the resources available to them at the community college.
As part of this class students took ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a credential that demonstrates achievement and a certain level of workplace employability skills. “It's a credential for their resumes they can earn while participating in the class,” De Los Santos said.
SCC will offer another class for students who have achieved high school equivalency in the Spring 2014 semester.
Editor's note: In January 2014, Missouri will replace the GED® test with the ETS High School Equivalency Test, called the HiSET.
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.