Center for Workforce Development

 

 

Academic Enrichment/GED

Doug House helps a student puzzle out a complex algebra problem. The student, Wynora, doesn’t think she knows what she needs to know to solve the problem.

House is the main math prof in Columbus State’s Academic Enrichment/GED program. The GED prep course takes 5 weeks, although there are four 10-week Math and English enrichment courses that lead up to it.

"I love it," says Angeletta, one of Doug's student. "Doug’s a great teacher.
He walks us through everything until we understand it."

Other programs are more free-form, but Columbus State’s program offers a regular schedule and trained teachers. That pays off for Wynora as House shows her she really does know the steps to finish her equation.

"You can’t just jump in and solve it like that," House says. "You’ve got to solve it one line at a time."

 

 

Orientation to Trades and Apprenticeships (OTAP)

At Columbus State, Ricardo Frazier started building a great new career. Frazier, 37, says he came to Columbus State in 2005 after he realized he needed to get his career back on track. He joined the college’s Orientation to Trades and Apprenticeships program (OTAP), which gets students ready for an apprenticeship in skilled trades such as carpentry or construction.

Apprenticeships lead to great jobs, but even if you don’t take an apprenticeship, OTAP still provides valuable work experience. The program has sections for adults and students right out of high school.

Frazier said OTAP’s instructors - led by program coordinator Carol Higgins – take a hands-on interest in each student.

"They want to see you succeed, and that makes a big difference," Frazier says.