By Liz Witbeck<\/p>\n
For adults looking to change careers or become
\nmore specialized in their field, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE)
\nBoard of Cooperative Educational Services
\n(BOCES) provides several programs.<\/p>\n
“These programs are designed to get people into
\na better spot from an employment perspective,”
\nsaid Doug Leavens, director of career and technical
\neducation at WSWHE BOCES.<\/p>\n
There are many daytime career and technical
\neducation classes to choose from. Adults may enroll
\nin programs such as cosmetology, auto body repair,
\ncriminal justice, landscaping, early childhood
\neducation, information technology, and welding.<\/p>\n
BOCES offers night and evening classes for
\nthose who have daytime obligations. Classes
\ninclude security guard certification, trade mathematics,
\nAC circuit theory, and residential wiring.<\/p>\n
For those interested in health professions,
\nBOCES offers a variety of classes. They offer
\nprograms to become an LPN and a CNA . There
\nare medical billing and administrative assistant
\nprograms, as well as phlebotomy technician
\nprograms. Online healthcare courses are offered
\nthrough Health Ed Today.<\/p>\n
Classes are offered for adults to learn basic computer
\ninstruction. Those include Microsoft Word
\nand Microsoft Excel. These are great classes for
\nadults with careers that require computer knowledge,
\nor those who want to learn for personal use.<\/p>\n
Adults who need additional preparation in basic
\nmath and reading can take classes at BOCES. Study
\nsessions are available at a BOCES classroom, as
\nwell as a home preparation course to give adults
\nthe basic literacy skills they need to be part of the
\nworkforce.<\/p>\n
BOCES continues to add new programs that
\nreflect the constantly changing economy and need
\nfor emerging skills in the region.<\/p>\n
“We target the things that people in our region
\nreally need,” said Leavens. “That way the programs
\nwe offer will be beneficial to our local economy. We
\ndon’t want to offer programs that people like, but
\naren’t really useful.”<\/p>\n
New programs include the Adult Machine Tool
\nTechnology Program, in collaboration with the
\nWorkforce Investment Board and area employers.
\nPhlebotomy and medical coding programs have been added to keep up with the new technologies
\nin the health field.<\/p>\n
For those who believe they do not have the
\nmoney to afford an education, there are several
\nforms of financial assistance available. Local One-
\nStop Centers provide funding for some students.<\/p>\n
Students with disabilities may qualify for funding
\nunder the ACCE SS-VR. The GI Bill provides financial
\nassistance to military veterans.<\/p>\n
People who are looking to change careers or
\nupgrade their skills in a current field will find what
\nthey are looking for at the Adult Education Program
\nat WSWHE BOCES.<\/p>\n
“We help bridge the gap between what local
\nemployers need and what skills people need,” said
\nLeavens. “When unemployment is higher, it might
\nbe that you need to be retrained in a different skill
\nin order to be competitive in the market. A general
\neducation is great, but industries are really looking
\nfor people who can do a certain skill. People
\nneed targeted training and skills that employers
\nare looking for.”<\/p>\n
Classes are held throughout the year, with many
\nclasses running multiple times over the course
\nof the year. Students can enroll on a full-time or
\npart-time basis. Classes can be completed in as
\nlittle as nine months.<\/p>\n
Classes are conveniently held in two locations:
\nthe F. Donald Myers Education Center, at 15 Henning
\nRoad, in Saratoga Springs; or the Southern
\nAdirondack Education Center, at 1051 Dix Ave. in
\nHudson Falls.<\/p>\n
For more information including how to enroll,
\nwww.wswheboces.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Liz Witbeck For adults looking to change careers or become more specialized in their field, the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provides several programs. “These programs are designed to get people into a better spot from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[67,86,115],"class_list":["post-15343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-50-plus","tag-education","tag-hudson-falls","tag-saratoga-springs"],"yoast_head":"\r\n