Bevill State Community College Department of Adult Education now provides integrated pathways and a full range of academic support to place participants on the pathway to success in the workforce.
Director of Adult Education Dr. Stephanie Maddox says, “Every Adult Education participant is now served with an integrated approach that synchronizes fundamental workforce skills with education and training preparing our students for a successful future. We have more tools and support available than ever before. Short-term certifications such as Pharmacy Tech, Welding, CNA, Phlebotomy, and HVAC Fast Track are among the options we can fund for our Adult Education students.”
Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) has replaced Ready to Work, the soft skills training program that taught entry-level skills for employment for more than a decade. ACE is a free training course designed by the Alabama Community College System with improved content and strategies to teach employability skills. ACE participants learn computer literacy, math for work, financial literacy, workplace communication, workplace etiquette, resolving problems in the workplace, healthy workplace environment, employment preparation, workplace safety, and more. Participants who complete ACE receive the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, Alabama Certified Employee Credential, one free college course (up to 4 credit hours), and articulated credit for WKO 110 (3 credits) when enrolling in one of Alabama’s community colleges.
“Business and industry have experienced great success through the use of the ACE curriculum as an onboarding platform for new employees. ACE provides critical employability skills cited by business and industry as fundamental for a quality workforce” says Dean of Workforce and Economic Development, Al Moore.
MAPS (Mobilizing Alabama Pathways) is a relatively new addition to Adult Education. These free short courses prepare students utilizing industry-specific curriculum targeting entry-level competencies in five industry sectors: Construction, Healthcare, Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Transportation & Logistics.
“Adult education programs are crucial to alleviating the education gap by helping individuals achieve economic and social mobility. Not only do these Adult Education programs benefit the participants, they can improve workforce development and drive economic growth. Learning opportunities like ACE and MAP, along with Bevill State’s other workforce training certifications, serve non-traditional students and ensure that adult learners can access the tools they require to meet Alabama’s workforce needs,” stated Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College.
“Adult Education will always be here to provide our core services. However, we are now integrating a workforce perspective to ensure that participants leave empowered with the education and credentials necessary to succeed” says Dr. Stephanie Maddox, Director of Adult Education. “We offer all of our classes and certifications at no cost to our students. From ACE and MAPs to short-term certification funding, Adult Education is ready to help every participant identify a career pathway, train for success, and begin a career.”
Adult Education participants may choose to earn a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and qualifying participants who attended school in Alabama may choose to pursue a High School Diploma Option. With renewed interest, English as a Second Language classes are returning, and adult basic literacy is always available for those who need to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
