by Susan Moore
Anyone who has been on campus has noticed the large brick building that sits across the Miller Plaza. That building houses the Workforce and Community Education division.
The WCE is lead by Mary Beth Busch, vice president of the division. She oversees what some may not realize to be a large organization that offers education and training including Fast Track programs such as certified nursing assistant, dental assistant, phlebotomy technician and medical office assistant - just to name a few.
Grant funding through the Higher Education Adult Part-time Student Grant program, or HEAPS, helps citizens of the Mid-Ohio valley gain the education and skills set needed for employment at little or no cost to them.
"Over 90 percent of students in the fast track programs receive assistance through HEAPS," Busch said. "The current maximum for each student is $2000 per calendar year."
Each fast-track program is delivered in 12 weeks. Several of the courses offered are delivered in a non-credit-to-credit format which allows students to convert their skill-set certificate to a degree program.
WCE also offers technical programs as well such as Home Inspection and Introduction to Construction Technology Tom Lemon, technical program director, also works with companies such as Hino, Simonton Windows and Alcan to educate the workforce in the area of safety.
Margaret Bailey, director of outreach programs, and her staff provide community education for many area businesses. Bailey also works closely with the St. Marys correctional center and the Lakin correctional center in West Columbia, W. Va. to provide education to the men and women who are incarcerated. The goal is to provide academic programs to help these individuals succeed once they are no longer imprisoned.
Busch was proud to say that there have been several inmates graduate, with one recieving a bachelor’s degree. Ceremonies are held within the centers to honor the hard work and dedication that the inmates put into their education.
“It is very rewarding, important and not well known,” Busch said of the work Bailey and her team provide for the correctional centers.
The ACT WorkKeys division, lead by Michele Wilson, utilizes a job skills assessment system that measures “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation – skilled or professional – and at any level of education.. Many employers such as Hino, DuPont and Thermo Fisher are requiring the ACT WorkKeys job skills assessment as part of the hiring process.
Wilson’s team also administers the governor’s career readiness certificate, which is the most common certification that job seekers take. This allows individuals to earn a certificate for skill levels in applied mathematics, locating informtion and reading for information and therefore qualify for more jobs.
WCE also handles many additional community events held on the WVU Parkersburg campus with J.B.
“Many are not aware of outside sources that use the campus for activities,” Busch said.
More recently, WCE has taken over the process technology program from WVU Parkersburg and was renamed the Chemical and Polymer Technical Program. This is based out of the Polymer Alliance Zone with Brian Gray as the instructional specialist. Currently there are no students enrolled for these courses but recruitment is underway to fill the spots.
The small business development center also resides within WCE and is lead by Greg Hill. The SBDC seeks to provide the link between area small businesses and the college. The close working relationship of the SBDC, WCE, West Virginia University Industrial Extension and Applied Technology Division results in an effective exchange of resources based on need.
Busch contributes the success and achievements of her division to the dedication of her staff.
“I have a wonderful staff who are passionate about what they do,” Busch said.
Busch made special mention of Debra Lockhart, the division’s administrative assistant who also manages the high stakes testing center at WCE.
“She keeps it all together,” Busch said.
WCE plans to add personal fitness trainer courses starting in Feb. 2012. More information about Workforce & Community Education at WVU Parkersburg can be found at www.wvup.edu/wce/default.htm.
Anyone who has been on campus has noticed the large brick building that sits across the Miller Plaza. That building houses the Workforce and Community Education division.
The WCE is lead by Mary Beth Busch, vice president of the division. She oversees what some may not realize to be a large organization that offers education and training including Fast Track programs such as certified nursing assistant, dental assistant, phlebotomy technician and medical office assistant - just to name a few.
Grant funding through the Higher Education Adult Part-time Student Grant program, or HEAPS, helps citizens of the Mid-Ohio valley gain the education and skills set needed for employment at little or no cost to them.
"Over 90 percent of students in the fast track programs receive assistance through HEAPS," Busch said. "The current maximum for each student is $2000 per calendar year."
Each fast-track program is delivered in 12 weeks. Several of the courses offered are delivered in a non-credit-to-credit format which allows students to convert their skill-set certificate to a degree program.
WCE also offers technical programs as well such as Home Inspection and Introduction to Construction Technology Tom Lemon, technical program director, also works with companies such as Hino, Simonton Windows and Alcan to educate the workforce in the area of safety.
Margaret Bailey, director of outreach programs, and her staff provide community education for many area businesses. Bailey also works closely with the St. Marys correctional center and the Lakin correctional center in West Columbia, W. Va. to provide education to the men and women who are incarcerated. The goal is to provide academic programs to help these individuals succeed once they are no longer imprisoned.
Busch was proud to say that there have been several inmates graduate, with one recieving a bachelor’s degree. Ceremonies are held within the centers to honor the hard work and dedication that the inmates put into their education.
“It is very rewarding, important and not well known,” Busch said of the work Bailey and her team provide for the correctional centers.
The ACT WorkKeys division, lead by Michele Wilson, utilizes a job skills assessment system that measures “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation – skilled or professional – and at any level of education.. Many employers such as Hino, DuPont and Thermo Fisher are requiring the ACT WorkKeys job skills assessment as part of the hiring process.
Wilson’s team also administers the governor’s career readiness certificate, which is the most common certification that job seekers take. This allows individuals to earn a certificate for skill levels in applied mathematics, locating informtion and reading for information and therefore qualify for more jobs.
WCE also handles many additional community events held on the WVU Parkersburg campus with J.B.
“Many are not aware of outside sources that use the campus for activities,” Busch said.
More recently, WCE has taken over the process technology program from WVU Parkersburg and was renamed the Chemical and Polymer Technical Program. This is based out of the Polymer Alliance Zone with Brian Gray as the instructional specialist. Currently there are no students enrolled for these courses but recruitment is underway to fill the spots.
The small business development center also resides within WCE and is lead by Greg Hill. The SBDC seeks to provide the link between area small businesses and the college. The close working relationship of the SBDC, WCE, West Virginia University Industrial Extension and Applied Technology Division results in an effective exchange of resources based on need.
Busch contributes the success and achievements of her division to the dedication of her staff.
“I have a wonderful staff who are passionate about what they do,” Busch said.
Busch made special mention of Debra Lockhart, the division’s administrative assistant who also manages the high stakes testing center at WCE.
“She keeps it all together,” Busch said.
WCE plans to add personal fitness trainer courses starting in Feb. 2012. More information about Workforce & Community Education at WVU Parkersburg can be found at www.wvup.edu/wce/default.htm.