ADULT RE-ENTRY CONFERENCE SET AT VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL

The Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School Wednesday will host an "Adult Re-Entry Conference" for persons considering additional education or training.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. until noon in Room 214 of the Vo-Tech school.

Dorothy Hardy, director of the single parent program at the school, said the conference is intended to inform and motivate adults who want to garner additional education or training.

"Many adults want to return to school for self-improvement or for more training to update their skills," she said. "But often they do not enroll because they don't know how or where to start."

Hardy said speakers at the conference will provide information on financial aid, career planning, course offerings and GED planning.

Some of the people who attended last year's conference enrolled in various vocational training programs such as computer fundamentals, typing and the GED program, she said.

"I feel this Adult Re-Entry Conference is an excellent opportunity for many individuals who have been considering further education," she said.

Hardy cited a recent article in USA Today that referred to a survey conducted by the National Alliance of Business. A total of 2,500 firms were polled on how hard it is to find job applicants with basic skills.

She said problems were cited in five areas: 70 percent of the firms said applicants lacked basic writing skills; 64 percent cited poor listening skills; 61.8 percent cited poor math skills; 59.2 percent, poor comprehension of manuals, graphs and schedules; and 58.4 percent, speaking skills.

"Increasing technological demands of the workplace require higher skills," said Hardy. "Improved competency is also a great esteem booster."

She said the conference will provide information on how to secure financial aid. One of the most difficult obstacles to continued education is financial hardship.

"We really work hard to try to locate financial aid resources for people to give them the freedom to take charge of their life," Hardy added.

Some of the speakers at the conference include Peggy Ropelle, coordinator of career connection at Mineral Area College in Flat River; Mary McBride, executive director of the Private Industry Council; and Beverly Holland, case manager for the Department of Social Services.

Others include Angie Northern of the East Missouri Action Agency; Nancy Witvoet, vocational evaluator for the Cape Girardeau Vo-Tech school assessment center; Susan Clubb, coordinator of adult basic education at the Vo-Tech school; and Orville Krauss, a counselor at Cape Girardeau Central High School.