By Mark Meredith/TVCC Public Information
A cooperative program between Trinity Valley Community College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) and Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) called Dynamic Futures encourages at-risk young adults to see a brighter future. The program prepares students to acquire their GED or prepare for the TSI (Texas State initiative) Assessment, which is required for all non-exempt students entering college-level courses.
According to curriculum trainer Terri Tims, it’s more than just the scholastic aspect of preparation. The course teaches personal presentation, resume writing, interview skills, “just those basic soft skills to build them up so that they can be successful. The combined element is career development…we do assessment tests and we work toward finding them a career path in a field that’s a demand occupation.”
Natalie Brown, TVCC Adult Education and Literacy Transition Coordinator added, “and being on the college campus, they saw everything, they felt like students, and they see that they can really do this.”
“The outcome is a sense of accomplishment,” said workforce case manager Kristopher Parkes. “They see where they were when they came in (to the program) and their improvement, they see that they’re just like anybody else, but they have a disadvantage because of different circumstances. They see that this is a reality, that it can be possible for them to reach their goal.”
“The coolest part of the program is watching the participants come in kind of introverted, shy, timid, and to see them by the second week blossom and see who they truly are,” said TVCC AEL Program Manager Whitney Hughes, herself a former GED student and TVCC graduate. “And I really enjoy working with my partners at WSET, to help the participants take that next step.”
Chris Hicks, TVCC Director of Adult Education, said, “As a result of the wonderful working relationship with our workforce partners, students benefit from a comprehensive workforce/adult ed experience.”
For more information about Dynamic Futures, contact Terri Tims at Workforce Solutions East Texas, [email protected] or Whitney Hughes at TVCC, [email protected]. For information about Adult Education, call 903.675.6398 or email [email protected].