Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning

Adult Education/GED

The Bishop State Community College Adult Education Program is a comprehensive educational program aimed at preparing adults age 16 and over for the American Council of Education's GED Tests. 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.

To enroll in the Bishop State Adult Education Program all individuals must first take the TABE Assessment Test. The TABE Assessment is given to determine a student's grade level prior to enrolling in Adult Education Classes.

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ASSESSMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

How much does the assessment test cost?
The assessment test is FREE.

What do I need?
Picture ID. 17 year olds need a notarized Student Exit Interview form from last high school. *Forms are available in the Adult Education Office or at the local high school.

What time do I need to be there?
Between 6:00 am – 6:30 am. Report to Rm. 2 in the Business Office Education Building on the Carver Campus. Sign the clipboard in Rm. 2 and remain seated. Signs will be posted to direct you to Room 2. Testing will begin at 7:30 am. (The number of students assessed will be based on current Adult Education enrollment – usually no more than 15 students per day).

What days are available for testing? How long will the test take?
Mondays and Thursdays; 3-4 hours (procedure is the same on both days.

Where are you located?
414 Stanton St., Mobile, Alabama 36617

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 showed that businesses are turning to community colleges for training because it is cost effective and offers customized training with quality instruction that is convenient for them and their employees. The study also showed that while big industry is still the largest customer of community college training programs, a growing number of other businesses – both large and small – are discovering the advantages contract training can offer.

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.

So today, when Mobile area businesses need assistance in training, they turn to Bishop State Community College's Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development. We have an extensive track record of successfully training employees to meet the workforce needs of such major Gulf Coast industries as shipbuilding, chemical and paper manufacturing, as well as many small and mid-sized businesses.

We can keep your employees on the cutting edge of technology.
Training is an essential tool for success in any business. If a business is to succeed in today's globally competitive marketplace, workers must have the opportunity to upgrade their skills on an ongoing basis. Today's work environment demands that workers be lifelong learners. As technology changes, workers must learn new skills and update old skills. Employees need to be better trained to take advantage of the latest technology and make it work for your business.

That's why Bishop State has developed contract training programs that really work for business. When it comes to workforce training, one size doesn't fit all. We realize that your business has special needs, and our programs are specifically designed to meet your needs. Here are some of the qualities that set us apart:

• 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 change with your business to continue to meet your needs.
• Cost-effective. You won't find better quality or a better deal. Many industries have found our program a great alternative to expensive in-house training programs.
• Small business friend. Our contract training programs aren't just for major industries. We are here to meet the needs of small and mid-sized companies.

Distance Learning

Goal of Distance Learning
The goal of distance learning at Bishop State is to provide all of our students access to courses outside of the traditional classroom. We know not everyone can make it to class from 9:00 to 9:50 every week, so we provide access to a quality education with no time boundaries. Our classes are equal in quality to any course we host traditionally, and our instructors provide quality content in each course they teach.

Expectations
What should you expect from Bishop State Online courses? You should expect a high quality course that allows you to learn at pretty much your own pace, and instructors who will provide an atmosphere that is open to discussion, interaction, and discovery. You will need to keep up with the class and the weekly work assignments, but the time you choose to do the work is your own.

Online does not mean easier. So do not think that because you do not have to come to class, that you are not expected to participate and learn.

About BSCC Online
We have been a part of distance education for almost three years now, and when it comes to the range and number of courses available online, Bishop State is at the forefront of the state. To date we have developed over 40 online courses, and we are developing more every semester.

More about Distance Learning at Bishop State

Ed2Go

Visit the Ed2Go website

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 final comprehensive examination earn an "Alabama Certified Worker Certificate" and an "Alabama Career Readiness Certificate" confirming that your proven work skills and abilities meet the requirements 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 free of charge to all individuals that are unemployed and want to gain entry level skills or those individuals that are underemployed and want to gain additional skills for advancement.

The Ready-to-Work Training Program classes begin every three months or more frequent, based on demands.

Bishop State will provide training at: Bishop State Community College, Business Technology Center (Room 209), 351 North Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36603

Registration and orientation for the next Ready-to-Work Training (RTW) program will be held Monday, March 8, at 9 a.m. in room 160 of the Business Technology Center on the Main Campus of Bishop State Community College located at 351 N Broad Street. For additional information or questions, call Sheria Mitchell at (251) 405-7085 or send an e-mail to: smitchell@bishop.edu.

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.

Note: These teacher-led courses are not offered at this time. For accuracy, please e-mail: cporter@bishop.edu or call (251) 405-7054.

Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing provides an effective means to conduct meetings with remote locations at a small fraction of the cost and time involved in travel. Companies, organizations, agencies and individuals can hold meetings-one-to-one (point-to-point) or involving multiple sites.

Each site participating in a videoconference is equipped with cameras, monitors and other devices that enable them to make full use of this exciting technology. It is interactive.

What is Videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing in simple terms is the transmission and reception of compressed audio and video between two or more geographically different locations using a dedicated high-speed line. With the advancements in Video Conferencing technology, people from across town, within the State, any point in the Nation and all over the world can meet in real time as if they were meeting face to face – point to point or with multiple sites. Videoconferencing is a GREAT solution to the high cost of travel.

Typical Videoconferencing Applications Include:

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

Videoconferencing Facilities
BishopBishop State Community College currently has a V-TEL ESA conferencing system located on the Southwest Campus. State-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment also is available in the Business Technology Center (Main Campus)

• Conference Start and End time (Central Standard Time)
• Expected Number of Participants
• Resources and Services Required
• Billing and Contact Information

Pricing Information
Upon request, a price quote will be sent to you via fax, e-mail or postal address.

More information regarding videoconferencing? E-mail Dr. Charles W. Porter at cporter@bishop.edu, or call (251) 405-7118.

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 prorams.
• is the basis for the National Career Readiness Certificate.

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 – help students identify career interests and their skills or skill gaps in preparation for jobs.

Students – learn more about preparing for WorkKeys and using WorkKeys scores.

Parents – helps your student prepare to enter the workforce.

WorkKeys For Employers

• Turnover level keep you awake at night.
• Hiring qualified workers is an uphill battle.
• Your training efforts and training dollas don't show measureable results.
• Your staff is working overtime and double shifts to make up for staff shortages and high turnover.

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 credientials 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 outcomesby fully adopting the National Career Readiness Certificate as part of comprehensive workforce and economic developement strategies. Broad use of WorkKeys to power state, regional and local strategies demonstrates its capabilities to address a wide range of workforce and economic development objectives.