CANFIELD, Ohio – Adults in Mahoning and Columbiana counties can receive free career and educational training through the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.
The center has received the federal Aspire Adult Workforce Education Readiness Grant to provide free services to adults. MCCTC has been a site of the Aspire program for several years, but is now the financial agent for the grant.
“Aspire is a really great state initiative that helps the community,” said Mary Mihalopoulos, director of the Adult Career Center/supervisor at MCCTC. “We’ve always been very interested in having a local location. It also helps our students even before they become our students.”
Students can get support to brush up on their academic skills. It’s important to offer Aspire because it can change people’s lives, Mihalopoulos said. Earning a GED or equivalent high school diploma can be life-changing.
“Aspire provides opportunities to overcome literacy barriers and speak English – we can tailor courses to help individuals in the community,” she said. “It’s part of a holistic approach to what we want to do here.”
Many residents in the region do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, explains Maxie Wirtz, coordinator of financial aid and student services.
“We know how important this is for employment,” she said. “It strengthens the workforce here.”
It is important to ensure that people in the region receive training so that they can secure lucrative employment and support the local economy.
“Another reason is that there is a repopulation surge in our community,” Wirtz said. “So we’re going to see an influx of people from other countries whose first language may not be English. We can definitely be a support to those people.”
And for employers who want to hire these people, the institution can also offer training in “English for Speakers of Other Languages.”
The number of people in the region who need these English-language services is expected to increase, Wirtz said.
Eastern Gateway Community College, which will close this fall, was formerly the financial agent for the state grants.
“We didn’t want Aspire to go away because we know how important it is in Mahoning and Columbiana counties,” Mihalopoulos said.
Aspire offers locations in both counties to serve residents. Classes are held during the day and evenings. Locations include MCCTC, Compass Family and Community Services in Youngstown, the Excellence Training Center at Youngstown State University, Salem First Community Church, and Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana Inc. Classes are also available online.
“The goal is to meet people where they are,” said Wirtz. “That’s what we would like to do.”
Aspire courses are suitable for everyone, including those who want to improve their maths or English skills.
“This could be a YSU student who needs help,” Wirtz said. “Maybe he’s having a little trouble with math and needs some tutoring.”
Or it could be someone who wants to pursue further education and needs to pass an entrance exam. Even someone who has not finished high school and is pursuing a high school diploma or equivalent would benefit from Aspire courses.
“This could be of interest to employers who identify a need for staffing,” Wirtz said.
You can work directly with an employer to set up a helpful course.
Aspire also partners with other adult programs available through MCCTC, including WorkKeys, which allows people to earn a work certification in addition to their high school diploma.
“That’s where Aspire comes in,” Wirtz explains. “Aspire can offer WorkKeys prep courses and help students prepare for the exam so they can pass it and then move on to the adult diploma program.”
This success then entitles the person to transfer to the post-secondary study program of their choice.
“They really all work hand in hand,” Wirtz said. “We’re really fortunate to have the opportunity to work with all of these students.”
Both Wirtz and Mihalopoulos acknowledge that admitting they need help and going back to school or pursuing an equivalent high school diploma can be a big step for some people.
“More than the academic aspect, it’s the staff that supports these individuals and says, ‘You can do this,'” Wirtz said.
And the classes become families, providing another support system, Mihalopoulos added. Teachers and the program director get to know the students.
“They really do everything they can to make their students feel comfortable and welcome here,” Wirtz said.
Mihalopoulos said support could also extend to helping students access other services available in the community, such as child care, transportation or other barriers to their education.
Most locations opened earlier this month, but officials say there are plans to continue growing and adding more courses throughout the year.
The length of the programs varies. Some have a fixed start and end date, while others offer the opportunity to attend classes spontaneously.
Services include:
- Basic instruction in mathematics, reading and writing.
- Preparing for high school graduation.
- Preparing for college or technical school.
- Exam preparation.
- English language acquisition.
- Tailor-made bridging programs.
- Correctional education.
- Professional development courses for local employers.
- Labour market competence and career orientation.
To measure success, students participate in pre- and post-assessment so program leaders can see skill growth. Other metrics include a student earning a high school equivalent or entering further education or employment.
But there are other measures of Wirtz and Mihalopoulos’ success.
Mihalopoulos said Aspire is another MCCTC program that helps educate, provide opportunities and break down barriers to workers. It’s about community literacy, job training and a holistic approach to help more people, she said.
Wirtz wants people to feel comfortable, have a good experience and feel like they have gained something from the program.
“Beyond those numbers, we want people to feel like they belong and that they are able to achieve their goals,” she said.
For more information send an email (email protected) or call 330 729 4010.
Pictured above: Mary Mihalopoulos and Maxie Wirtz, Adult Center Director/Supervisor and Financial Aid and Student Services Coordinator at the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, respectively, display an Ohio Aspire poster.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
