When Westmoreland County Community College President Steven Ender met Tim Yurcisin, president of the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., he was struck by how much the college and agency had in common.
"I saw the same values, a similar mission, complementary programming," Ender said Wednesday.
PIC offers employment, education and training programs in Westmoreland and Fayette counties.
Ender said he also is aware that some prospective WCCC students are struggling with admissions requirements.
"We clearly know with some of our students, as the result of (admissions testing) ... they are just not at that starting point," he said.
Ender and Yurcisin spoke yesterday during a meeting at WCCC's Youngwood campus to announce a partnership between the two institutions.
Starting in June, they jointly began offering free classes at WCCC to those ages 17 and older who need help with basic reading, writing and math or those who wish to prepare for the General Equivalency Degree exam.
Held at the Business and Industry Center, the classes offer instruction in basic technology, money management, workplace essential skills, GED preparation and literacy.
After Ender noticed some WCCC students required remedial classes, and the school received an increase in inquiries from people lacking a high school diploma, he and Yurcisin decided to join forces. PIC moved one of its adult basic education class and GED sites from a Mt. Pleasant church to the college campus.
The obvious benefit, Yurcisin said, is to provide an on-site location for college admissions officers to send qualifying prospective students.
"We will bring the students to the campus, orientate them to the campus, get them comfortable and show them they can go to WCCC -- and it's not always someone else who's going to college," Yurcisin said.
If the program is successful, he said, other PIC adult basic education and GED sites might move to other WCCC branches.
"This is a win-win for students and adults we work with," Ender said. "We didn't offer adult education."
While on campus, participants can start considering an academic future, he said.
"We would hope that while the students are here, they would choose to continue their education and look at the credit programs we offer," Ender said.
"I firmly believe we're all capable of learning," Ender said. "But I've been in this business long enough to know it takes some people more time to learn."
PIC also is offering its Career Gateway workshops at WCCC. The workshops are a result of a collaboration with WCCC and funding from the state Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education and the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board.
The workshops target students interested in post-secondary education but who could benefit from academic preparation. Topics include study and time-management skills and aspects of college life, including enrollment and financial aid.
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