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Adult Education Program at Area 30 celebrates graduates
Twenty-nine Area 30 students were recognized for their achievements as they graduated from the Adult Education Program Friday afternoon.
In a simple and to-the-point ceremony held in the community room inside the Area 30 Career Center, friends and family celebrated as the graduates received their diplomas. Their plans for further training or entering the workforce were also highlighted.
In her opening remarks, Area 30 instructor and life coach Laura Elsbrock gave a brief overview of the program, which was designed to help high school dropouts obtain their high school equivalency diploma (formerly the GED). She said the Adult Education Program has gone through changes in the past six years to help students better meet demands in the workforce.
“Many businesses are looking for skilled workers, and many are looking for dedicated workers,” Elsbrock said. “Area 30 has become a training provider for nationally-accredited certification programs, such as MIG welding, CNC machining, truck driving, bus services and logistics associates.”
Elsbrock noted that the program has been able to cover costs for its students through grants awarded by WorkINdiana and Next Level Jobs Indiana, both of which focus on training in industries that are becoming more in-demand and higher paying.
None of the graduates had to pay tuition, which Elsbrock said gives them a leg-up to begin schooling or to go into the workforce.
Ultimately, Elsbrock said the occasion was for the graduates to think about where they might have been before the program, to where they were now in their careers.
“I want you to reflect on your journey to reach this very important milestone,” she said. “There were many questions you probably asked yourselves before you started. Guess what, you did it, and we all are very proud of you.”
Sixteen students were part of the celebration, Elsbrock said, while the rest were unable to attend due to starting their new jobs or beginning training for their next steps.