Wanted: Literate Employees for Immediate Employment Part II

The people who need this extra help and motivation are who for some reason or other did not acquire the needed literacy skills while in school. Now that they are older and after applying for work, they realize that they lack the necessary skills. Because of shame, pride or other reason, they are unable to resolve their problem of inadequate literacy skills on their own. As a result they feel depressed and frustrated. They already possess practical world experience. But they need to develop literacy skills.

To remedy this deficiency it is proposed that a school be started for these persons perhaps called “Academy for Life Skills.” The school will cater to US residents, regardless of age or gender, but who feel the need to improve themselves. The main driving purpose will be to teach basic skills needed to economically survive.
Another feature will be the motivation of students to continue a life-long journey for self-improvement.

The study program is devised to motivate residents especially between ages of 18 and 35 ( but not exclusively) to attend a series of classes that will stress various life skills to help them in obtaining and keeping good employment. Students may be a high school graduates or a dropouts. The key element is that the individual feels the need for self-improvement to achieve a better living.

Students may be employed or unemployed while attending school since the classes will be held in the evening. Should students be employed, the school ‘II work closely with the employers to achieve a harmonious relationship and joint motivation. If students are unemployed, upon their completion of the courses, the school may assist them in obtaining a job.

Attendance will be a minimum of two evenings a week for at least 2 1/2 hours per evening. There will be a minimum fee of $15 for each manual to be used in each course which students keep at the end of the course. Ambitious students will be encouraged to do extra study. When the course is completed, Students will be tested and given a certificate of completion.

The entire course is based on a program that is being successfully utilized in Hawaii at many of the high schools. Basically it uses five modules each centering on a particular life skill such as understanding daily, banking activities, preparing for job interviews, better health and nutrition, studying our government and its functions. To many of us these studies appear simple daily functions, but for many people they are beyond their current comprehension.

Do not confuse this concept with the standard GED course, or the usual adult education courses currently offered at NMC, or the JTPA program. This “academy for life skills” is especially designed to prepare young adults for the work place. Once they graduate from the program, be ready for on-the-job-training.

There is more to this program than has been briefly delineated above, but it is a proven success in Hawaii and in other states where it has been tried. To train about 100 students per year will cost less than $75,000. Part-time instructors will be utilized. Vacant classrooms at Marianas High School can be used at no cost.

I strongly urge the Governor, Legislature, the DOLI, and other agencies along with the Chamber of Commerce to combine efforts to make this project a success. At least examine the possibilities and viability. It will be a catalyst to motivating literacy handicapped individuals to improve.

Crazy idea? No, it is the least expensive and most direct approach to solving our chronic labor problem. We have the bodies, now let us train their minds.