Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New program aimed at local workforce skills

Theres a new educational opportunity soon to be available to residents of Nevada County. The Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy - otherwise known as WAGE - is expected to be up and running by March 1.

The program will be open to anyone looking to expand knowledge in some basic areas. According to Marilyn Webb, WAGE coordinator, the majority of people who attend classes are the unemployed and underemployed. But those headed into college for the first time, headed back to school after some time off, or even a parent who simply needs to get a refresher course in order to help the kids with homework will likely find the course useful.

WAGE offers three certifications. Completion of the basic coursework entitles the student to a certificate of employability. Students can also opt an industrial or clerical certification.

The courses arent equivalent to college degrees, but students who complete the course are granted a certificate to prove competency.

The basic course covers literacy and math. Students of the clerical certification learn basic computer tasks, Excel and work processing. The industrial course covers a range of topics that can even be customized by the needs of local industries

Were trying to train a better workforce in Nevada County, said Jim Reese, director of adult education for a four-county area including Nevada County.

The classes are offered at no cost to the student. Classes will likely be held at the Prescott High School one night each week.

David Maxwell, director of support services for the Prescott School District, and Prescott Superintendent Hyacinth Deon have both said that one of the biggest problems facing educators today is the ability to motivate students to learn as much as possible in the classroom. He said many students simply want to finish school and care little if they learn at all.

Reese said some of those students find themselves out of school without the skills needed to get a good job. Some find a job, but need to hone their basic skills in order to get a raise or promotion.

WAGE can often fill that gap, according to Reese.

A student who wants to be included takes a basic assessment test to help determine the current level of competency. Webb said the next step is to develop a lesson plan aimed at completing the program.

When instructor and student determine that the time is right, the student takes a final exam. If the student fails, the results are used to formulate the next step in the lesson plan. Only the parts failed are repeated.

Webb said the student drives the plan. A student who can spend more time studying will typically progress faster and Webb said its possible to complete an entire course in a matter of weeks. The only penalty for missing class is that it takes longer to reach the goal.

Reese said one of the biggest hurdles for most people is to get past the idea that they cant learn.

To learn more about WAGE or to sign up for classes, call PHS at 887-3016.

Seeking partners

Industries and businesses in the area will be asked to sign up as official partners of the program. Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Godwin said shell be approaching employers in the area over the next few weeks in an effort to gain that support. Employers arent required to do anything. The partnership merely means that company agrees to consider employees who have completed the WAGE training. Once a student successfully completes a particular course, their certifications will be forwarded to the partner companies, providing those employers a pool of potential workers.