More people pursuing GEDs, preparing for college entrance exams as job market changes

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Pat Dietiker, center, studies math Tuesday afternoon at the Adult Learning Center in Cape Girardeau. Dietiker worked at Thorngate before it closed, along with Misty Middleton, left, and Theresa Cochran, right. [Click to enlarge]

Pat Dietiker, 59, wants to be a medical office assistant.

Misty Middleton, 33, wants to be a respiratory therapist.

Linda Hargraves, 51, just wants to move on.

"I put 27 years in that factory," she said. "I'm ready to do something else."

The three women worked at Thorngate until it closed its sewing operations in November. Now they spend 20 hours a week reviewing math and writing at the Cape Girardeau School District's adult learning center to prepare for college entrance exams and GED tests for high school equivalency.

The women and their study companions at the center, which is at capacity, are part of a statewide trend of workers looking to extend their education in an evolving job market.

Tuesday afternoon, Hargraves filled her paper with neat rows of equations while reviewing the volume calculations for cylinders and cones. The table was covered in eraser shavings as she labored through the math she struggled with during high school.

"I never ever realized how many different ways you can deal with math," she said of the methods and equations.

She said she works at her own pace and receives the help and support she needs. The math skills, she said, are starting to stick.

Months after the factory closed, there is still camaraderie among its workers as they support each other through the next stage in their lives.

"At the time we thought it was the end of the world," said Misty Middleton, who worked at the factory for more than 13 years. Middleton said the factory closing is more of a blessing now that she has time to pursue other job opportunities that will benefit her year-old son. She is studying for a college placement exam so she can pursue an associate's degree in respiratory therapy and work with babies.

Dietiker said she worries about surviving the training and job market, her first thoughts when the factory closed.

"It was kind of scary, especially at my age," Dietiker said. "People don't like to hire you when you're older."

After passing the GED tests, she said, she wants to work with medical billing.

"I might get into something I really enjoy and not retire," said Dietiker, who worked at the factory for 33 years.

Since November, about 30 displaced workers came to prepare for college classes and GED tests, said Becky Atwood, coordinator of adult education and literacy for the Cape Girardeau School District.

"They have been members of the community for a long time," Atwood said. "Now all of a sudden they've lost their income."

She said Thorngate workers have contributed heavily to an influx of people seeking services at the center within the past few months. For the first time since any of the employees at the center can remember, she said, there is a waiting list.

"I think they are very determined to get their education because there are not going to be any job opportunities unless you have a high school diploma," Atwood said.

Across the state, GED administrators are preparing for an influx of test takers, said Bill Poteet, state GED administrator. About 12,000 Missourians take the test each year. Poteet said the state has the capacity to increase testing by 25 percent to meet higher demand.

In Jefferson City, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is doubling its test dates through May. It will hold four test dates per month to meet demand among displaced workers.

At the testing center at Southeast Missouri State University, the numbers have been steady the past few months, said Michael Berry, a testing associate. The center has about 16 test dates per year that are mostly at capacity, he said.

Poteet said he is warning test centers about the anticipated influx, including Southeast.

"I think they are poised to get them in as quickly as possible when those numbers those do begin to rise," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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