Cathy Jeanette is Director of the Oneonta Adult Education program, which has long been a resource for both employers and potential employees.
In an interview with Sweet RESULTS Careers, she described the program's success.
"[Potential employees] come in and their reading level is low. They need to get it up there to start. Even if they don't move toward 
their credential right away, they move it up."
"Because we are involved with businesses, we can assess the person. They can come in and we do a reading comp and a math comp test. That will tell us where someone is."
"Just because they don't hold that little piece of paper, doesn't mean they don't have the ability to do the task that's at hand. [The employer] can make criteria that 'Yes, you're hired for six months based on your sitting through the exam.' That will give the [employer] and respective employee good information."
Locally, several large companies have taken advantage of Oneonta Adult Education's ability to provide assessments.
"I don't think Astrocom has problem with me saying that we do assessments for them," Jeanette continued, "and it is attached right to their application. We've done it for many... Springbrook, too."
"We've had classes at Medical Coaches. That was the first time we ever did workplace literacy in 1983, when I was a teacher. I went in to Medical Coaches and we worked with 10 to 12 people, who all went on to get their high school diplomas."
To those whose education has been a factor in their lack of career success, Jeanette urges that they "take a chance and walk through that door. That's the hardest thing."
If you're over 21 and ready to try that door, you'll find the Oneonta Adult Education program located on the fifth floor at 189 Main Street in Oneonta.
For more information stop in or call (607) 433-3645.