How the Greenville Literacy Association turns partnerships into powerful solutions
Struggling to find qualified candidates that meet both your workforce demands and your high standards? The solution might be simpler than you realize.
“Bottom line: Adult education and adult literacy is workforce development,” says John Jaraczewski, executive director of the Greenville Literacy Association. “And literacy can mean a lot of things based on your industry: technical skills, digital skills, soft skills.”
Programs that teach those skills can help fill in the gaps for job candidates who would otherwise be a great fit for entry-level positions — and with an estimated 50,000 adults in Greenville County who are of working age but lack a high school diploma, the potential impact for Upstate employers is exponential.
“We have the opportunity to provide on-site up-skilling at a reasonable cost,” adds Lisa Hall, director of education with the GLA. “For instance, we hear all the time: ‘If not for language skills, this person could be a manager or a section leader.’ Some of our clients’ best applicants and most dedicated employees have all the work ethic and desire to succeed but lack the communication skills to get there.”
That’s where the GLA steps in. As the only nonprofit provider of adult education in Greenville County that accepts all learning levels and receives funding through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the GLA is perfectly positioned to remove those roadblocks to success — for both employers and employees. Flexible and customizable, its programs include GED test preparation and bootcamps, English as a second language classes, basic adult education courses, digital literacy and much more.
“We celebrate the current investment in workforce development, and we’re helping the community leverage those investments,” says Jaraczewski. “There are free resources, like technical and community college, but they’re not always easy to access for our students. We help them navigate the process and maximize their value to employers.”
The far-reaching impact that the GLA has on the continued growth of Greenville’s economy is even bigger than its much-loved Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale — and the organization is looking to get the word out.
“Helping low-income, under-skilled adults increase their employability is our purpose. It’s what we’re funded for; it’s the most important thing we do,” insists Hall. “We’re tasked with preparing people to be more successful in the workforce, from career planning and seminars to continuing education; and we’re supporting the employer community by making sure our students have the specific skills they need to excel in the industries that are critical to the Upstate, from health care to manufacturing.
We even bring the classes to the job site, so students don’t have to find transportation. There’s a huge demand for people to fill these roles, and often the only thing keeping many people from stepping into those positions are skills that can be learned in our programs.”
“We’re an advocate for the employee and an asset for the employer,” sums up Jaraczewski, who believes partnerships between business leaders, the GLA and its students can change the trajectory for our entire community.“It’s a rising tide.”
Ready to rethink your workforce solutions and options? Partner with the Greenville Literacy Association, or learn more about its customizable programs, at greenvilleliteracy.org or by calling 864-467-3456.
