Volume 5, No. 9
September 2013
Business Kelso Longview
Connection Chamber of Commerce
Calendar Thursday September 5 – 7:30 a.m.
In healthcare, the supply of trained workers will be 50 percent less than the number of jobs in five out of six occupations.
Ambassador Committee Meeting Canterbury Park
Tuesday September 10 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Business After Hours RE/MAX • Life Mortgage The Office 842 • Network Homes 842 Washington Way, Longview $15 advance/$20 at door www.kelsolongviewchamber.org
Wednesday September 18 – 7:30 a.m. Education Foundation Committee Meeting Monticello Hotel September 18 – Noon Lower Columbia Professionals Meeting Masthead
Thursday September 26 – 5 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Big 5 Sporting Goods Triangle Center
GED is first step for local adults seeking family-wage jobs By Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College This summer, Lower Columbia College (LCC) is reaching out to more than 600 adults who began the General Education Development (GED) Testing process at our campus Testing Center but did not complete the five-part test. About 13.5 percent of Cowlitz County adults over age 25 have less than a high school credential. On the plus side, this is an improvement of more than 3 percent in the past decade. There is a direct correlation between educational attainment and poverty levels, unemployment and wages. To benefit both community residents and local workforce needs, LCC has implemented several support systems to help more adults complete
high school studies and beyond. For adults over age 21, the GED Test is the primary vehicle for high school completion. One out of every seven Americans, including 18,000 Washington residents each year, completes high school by earning a GED. Most, 71 percent, continue their education with some level of college studies.
Deadline Looming for GED Testers
The traditional GED paper test is being replaced with a computer version and after December 31, 2013, those who have not passed
Please see GED, page 2