BUSINESS AND EDUCATION ALLIANCE BENEFITS US ALL

It's one thing to talk about building an alliance between business and education. It's another matter to put words into action. One local business demonstrating its commitment to education is Tri-Con.

For the past two years, the Cape Girardeau manufacturer has offered G.E.D. classes for those employees who wanted to study after work. The first six graduates recently earned G.E.D. certificates, a degree equivalent to a high school diploma. This week, the company honored those employees with all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional graduation.

The Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School coordinates the local adult basic education effort. Director Susan Clubb said this marks the first time a local industry has helped to graduate a group of students.

Hopefully, it won't be the last.

Tri-Con provides a model for area business and industry. The company paid for extra books for testing, and also picked up the teacher's salary when the class size dwindled. The Tri-Con group meets twice a week at the plant; participation is voluntary, and class size has been as high as 25.

This program also demonstrates the willingness of the Cape Vocational-Technical School to provide a flexible learning environment. The vo-tech school continues to boost local industry, with customized training and educational programs. This is just another example of the fine teamwork between the school and the community, and the willingness to go a step beyond standard fare.

These students should feel proud about their accomplishments. They have proved to themselves and others that it's never too late to learn. Tri-Con and the vo-tech school also deserve hearty praise. They paved the way for success, and lifted these adults' spirits and literacy.

As the labor pool shrinks, employers will face a training challenge. And that's where education will become a fundamental issue.

Schools must train students to become more job ready. Businesses must be willing to educate workers in the face of technological changes. Together, this alliance between business and education will benefit the entire community.