Adult Education & Workforce Development

Adult Basic Education

The Bishop State Community College Adult Basic Education Program is a comprehensive educational program aimed at preparing adults age 16 and over for Pearson Vue’s GED Tests (General Educational Development). The GED Tests cover the academic knowledge and skills learned in four years of high school: reading, writing, social studies, science, and mathematics. The goal of the Bishop State Adult Education Program is to successfully prepare students for the GED Tests through instruction in math, language, and reading.

TABE Assessment Testing

(Free- No Cost)

To enroll in the Bishop State Adult Education Program, all individuals must take the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) Assessment Test. The TABE Assessment is given to determine a student’s grade level prior to enrolling in Adult Education Classes.

• Students must have a picture I.D. to enroll.
• This TABE Assessment Test usually takes between four (4) to five (5) hours.

Assessment Schedule

The TABE Assessment Testing will be held at the Bishop State Carver Campus, Bldg. J., 414 Stanton Street, Mobile, AL 36617.

The TABE is given on Mondays and Thursdays only with fifteen (15) openings available. No appointments are accepted; first come, first served.

• Sign-up for testing begins at 7:00 am.
• Campus Police can assist at the rear Guard Shack.
• Testing begins promptly at 7:30 am.

This testing site is open for continuous enrollment to anyone sixteen (16) years of age or older who is not currently enrolled in the regular public school program. Students ages sixteen (16) must provide a certificate of exemption from MCPSS and seventeen (17) years old must submit an exit interview form from their last high school. Both 16 and 17 year olds will need a parent permission form at the time of enrollment to take the TABE Assessment Test.

Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning

The Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning offers career readiness and professional and personal development opportunities through the following programs:

• Assessment Testing (Adult Basic Education and TABE)
• Contract Training
• Distance Learning Education
• Ready-to-Work
• WorkKeys for Education, Employers, and Economic Development.

Contract Training Programs

Your Business Partner in Workforce Training

Cost-effective, Customized and Convenient

Bishop State can design a training program that’s right for you, your business and your employees.

A recent National Workforce Development study shows that businesses are turning to community colleges for training because it is cost-effective and convenient for them and their employees. While big industry is still the largest customer of community college training programs, the study showed businesses of all sizes are discovering the advantages of Bishop State’s contract training

Bishop State is proud to be at the forefront of this national trend. We’ve been building partnerships with area businesses and industries for decades by offering training assistance that keeps our local economy growing and our local citizens working.

Training to Keep Your Employees on the Cutting Edge of Technology

Training is an essential tool for success in any business. In today’s globally competitive marketplace, workers must have the opportunity to upgrade their skills on an ongoing basis. The current work environment demands that workers be lifelong learners to keep abreast of today’s technological changes, update current job skills, and prepare for the skills of tomorrow. Bishop State has developed customized contract training programs that really work for businesses and meet the workforce training needs of all types of industry. Our programs are specifically designed to meet the requirements of your business operation.

Here are some of the benefits of Bishop State’s contract training programs, which are:

• Customized. We assess and identify your specific needs and develop programs to meet them. We can even design a program around your long-range business plan.
• Flexible. Training can be offered on-site at your business or on one of our convenient campuses. We can work with new employees, current employees or returning employees. Also, we can modify training for your company as your business needs change.
• Cost-effective. You’ll find effective quality training programs at affordable prices for your business.
• Many industries have found our program a great alternative to expensive in-house training programs.
• Suitable for companies of all sizes. Our contract training programs are suited for companies of all sizes: major corporations, mid-sized business operations, and small companies.

Distance Learning

Goal of Distance Learning

The goal of distance learning at Bishop State is to provide access to courses outside of the traditional classroom for our students, where applicable. With today’s busy lifestyles, students demand access to quality education 24/7. In online courses from Bishop State, you’ll find the same type of excellence with quality instructors and engaging content as on- campus courses.

Expectations

What should you expect from Bishop State Online courses? Look forward to high quality courses that allow you to learn at your own pace, within course deadlines, and instructors who provide an atmosphere open to discussion, interaction, and discovery, and eager-to-learn fellow classmates. You will need to keep up with class discussions and weekly work assignments, but the time you choose to do the work is your own.

NOTE: Online learning does not mean the classes are easier than on-campus classes. Do not think because you are seated behind your computer that you are not expected to be a part of the class and learn. Full participation is required by all online instructors.

About Online Courses from Bishop State

We have been a part of distance education for approximately three years now and have developed over 40 online courses. When it comes to an extensive number of courses available online, Bishop State is at the forefront of the state with plans to develop new online courses regularly.

For More Information on Distance Learning

To learn more about the College’s distance learning programs, visit www.bishop.edu/distance.html.

Ed2Go (Interactive, Non-Credit Course Offerings)

Bishop State offers a wide range of highly interactive, non-credit courses that you can take entirely over the internet.

All of the courses include expert instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors. These online courses are affordable, fun, fast, convenient, and geared just for you.

Course Offerings Include:

• Accounting and Finance
• Business
• College Readiness
• Computer Applications
• Design and Composition
• Health Care and Medical
• Language and Arts
• Law and Legal
• Personal Development
• Teaching and Education
• Technology
• Writing and Publishing

Visit the Ed2Go website Technology Series

The College is preparing to offer the latest in technology training and hundreds of never-before-offered courses via on-line with excellent and effective instructor access. Currently, these courses are available in the Ed2Go Program. Visit www.bishop.edu/, click on Workforce Development and then scroll down to Ed2Go. From there you’ll be linked to Ed2Go’s website.

Typical Videoconferencing Applications Include:

• Distance Education
• General Meetings
• Board Meetings
• Leadership Meetings
• Interviews
• Workshops
• Professional Development
• Depositions

Facility Information

Videoconferencing in the Business Technology Center on the Main Campus has two public-access video conferencing areas, both on the first floor in Rooms 116 and 160. The Auditorium, housed in Room 116, is the largest video conference room with document view and inactive software which allow you to record sessions. Dropped microphones allow audiences to participate. Also available are two cameras, one with a motion tracking to follow the presenter and allow access to the audience. The room’s total capacity is 120 people with two 100-inch screens. In room 160, the capacity is 20 people, depending on the use of computers or laptops. This set-up is designed for a more personal video conference and has a large 100 inch screen.

Ready-to-Work Program

Ready-to-Work (RTW) is a training program that prepares individuals to meet the demands of current and future Alabama employers. RTW graduates who pass a series of assessments after the training earn an “Alabama Certified Worker Certificate” and an “Alabama Career Readiness Certificate.” These certify that graduates possess proven work skills and abilities set by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education Division of Workforce Development in cooperation with the Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute (AIDT).

The RTW training program is available at no charge to unemployed individuals who need training in entry-level skills or those individuals who desire additional skills for employment advance. The Ready-to-Work Training Program classes begin every three months or as needed.

WorkKeys® Solutions Provider

WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that measures real-world skills, and:

• connects work skills, training, and testing for education and employers;
• makes it easier to meet the requirements of federal programs and legislation;
• supports economic and workforce development programs; and
• is the basis for the National Career Readiness Certificate.

To learn more about WorkKeys Solutions, please visit http://www.workkeys.com.

WorkKeys® for Education

The WorkKeys job skill assessment system is used in high schools and community and technical colleges across the country to measure real-world skills.

• Educators use it to help students identify career interests, current skills or additional training needed to prepare for jobs.
• Students can learn more about preparing for the WorkKeys test and how to use WorkKeys scores to determine possible job interests.
• Parents can use it as a guide to help their son or daughter with future career plans.

WorkKeys® for Employers

High Turnover? Hard to Find and Keep Qualified Employees?

Does any of this sound familiar?

• Turnover level keeps you awake at night.
• Hiring qualified workers is a constant challenge.
• Your training efforts and training dollars don’t show measureable results.
• Your staff is working overtime and double shifts to make up for staff shortages and high turnover.

WorkKeys, ACT’s workplace assessment tool - the gold standard in skills testing - is used by thousands of companies worldwide. WorkKeys uses the same scale to score tests and measure job skills for quick comparisons between a person’s skill levels and the job requirements.

WorkKeys® and Economic Development Using WorkKeys®

A growing number of states, communities, and organizations are choosing the WorkKeys® system as the foundation for career readiness initiatives that energize their economic development and workforce strategies. Many of these initiatives incorporate the principles of the National Career Readiness Certificate™ by issuing state and local credentials that align with the national system.

Credentials that utilize three WorkKeys assessments - Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Readiness for Information - share many of the benefits provided by the National Career Readiness System. State and national programs that use this framework can achieve even greater outcomes by fully adopting the National Career Readiness Certificate as part of comprehensive workforce and economic development strategies. Broad use of WorkKeys to empower state, regional and local strategies demonstrates its capabilities to address a wide range of workforce and economic development objectives.

WorkKeys® and the Career Readiness Certificate™

The Career Readiness Certificate™ (CRC), based on the WorkKeys® job skills assessment system, gives employers and career seekers a uniform measure of key workplace skills.

Certificate Levels
Individuals who score at certain levels on the three WorkKeys assessments will qualify for a certificate. The three WorkKeys assessments are as follows: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information.

Which Certificate Is Needed?

To learn the average WorkKeys scores needed by job title for more than 400 occupations, visit www.workkeys.com. Additional information is available at www.bishop.edu and www.alworkforce.dpe.edu.

There are 4 levels an individual may earn: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.

Bronze Level - Core employability skills for approximately 30% of jobs listed

Silver Level - Core employability skills for approximately 65% of jobs listed

Gold Level - Core employability skills for approximately 90% of jobs listed

Platinum Level - Core employability skills for approximately 99% of jobs listed

Employers - Demand a Skilled Workforce

When you recommend or require the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) for jobs in your workplace, you’ll tap into the most qualified labor pool in your area. When an applicant walks in with a CRC, you’ll be guaranteed that he or she possess basic foundational skills.

Use the certificate as a tool for:

• Screening - Save time by interviewing only applicants who have the skills required for your jobs.
• Hiring and promotion - A National Career Readiness Certificate can be used as a “plus” factor to help you make selection and promotion decisions.
• Targeting employee training and development - Save money by using your training budget on employees with skill gaps.

High-Stakes Testing

The ACT Center is the Central area of testing or High Stakes Testing where the College proctors for 21 boards of Certifications and oversee 154 different exams. The most common tests are ASWB, ABO, ADA, ASE, NASC, ABVM and Compass testing. NOTE: See below for test listings of acronyms.

Listing of Tests

ABO (American Board of Ophthalmology) ABPM (American Board of Pain Medicine) ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) BOC (Board of Certification)
BU (Boston University)
CSA (Codes and Standards Assessments) CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration)
CIV (COMPASS Internet Version Remote Testing) CTS (Continental Testing Services)
Comira DevSquare
FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test)
Lawson
LSENP (Liebert Services, Emerson Network Power)
McCann
NITC (National Inspection, Testing, and Certification Corporation)
NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology, Certification Board),
PAHCOM (Professional Association of Health Care Office Management),
ProExams
Rockwell Collins,
RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association),
TESC (Thomas Edison State College),
WorkKeys/Career Readiness Certification

Workforce Development

Job Seekers

Did you know there are funds available to help pay for workforce training? Training is the key to obtaining better job opportunities and higher wages. Students, if you are interested in developing the skills needed to succeed in a fulfilling career, consider Bishop State Community College. There are many programs and services offered through the College. Contact us at 251.405.7118 to begin your road to success.

Financial Assistance

Find out how we can assist you in a number of financial aid resources including: Pell Grant, Workforce Investment Act, Scholarships and Veterans Assistance. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 251.405.7015. For Veterans Assistance, call 251.405.7019.

Business and Industry

Through the Workforce Development Programs, Bishop State Community College provides a comprehensive, customer- driven process of developing highly qualified workers. This is accomplished through a seamless system of education and training. Partnerships may be developed with industry, which will increase company productivity and return on investment. Employers can locate highly qualified, dependable and competent workers by contacting Bishop State Community College at 251-405-7118