No one knows this more that those of the WIN Job Center and the Adult Education Center. Recently, the two agencies teamed up to provide useful information on the importance of taking the General Educational Development test, otherwise known as the GED. According to WIN Job Center Branch Director Ida Givens, employers are looking for a quality education.
"Now employers are paying more money and they expect more from their employees performance wise," said Givens. "They are looking for people that won't need as much one-on-one supervision. Also they want people that can take instructions. So they're looking for people that are more educated."
When individuals go to the WIN Job Center seeking a job without a diploma or GED they are informed about the Grenada Adult Education Center and the services it provides, said AmericaCorps Vista Volunteer Carol Hecker.
"A lot of people that come to the WIN Job Center don't have their GED and High School Diploma," said Hecker. And the employers will not hire them unless they are either in the process of getting a GED or have their GED or High School Diploma."
For those who are willing to take steps towards changing their career paths, GED class registration is available at the WIN Job Center. Every first and third Monday Hecker and other WIN staff members can be found assisting individuals in the enrollment process.
When it comes to getting a GED, some people are hesitant, Givens said.
"Some of them are ashamed, but it's not as many that are ashamed as there are people that think they don't need it. There are so many who feel that they don't need this in order to be successful, but they're beginning to find out that's not true," said Givens. "Because they're getting turned down time after time from employers that are requiring more.
We're finding a trend that more and more employers are requiring the GED equivalent. So this is an effort to try to help those, or the ones that come into our area, to meet that requirement so they will be more gainful in terms of employment."
For more information on this and other employment opportunities contact the Grenada WIN Job Center at 662-226-2911.