Laid-off workers focus on literacy skills

Learning a new trade can be a tall task for older laid-off workers, but an equally difficult chore for many is brushing up on those proverbial three Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic.

Anyone who taps into the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance retraining program first must undergo a mandatory Test of Adult Basic Education, and that can be a scary thing for workers who haven't been in a classroom for decades.

"It's a requirement to do a basic math and English assessment," said Laura Gardner, a supervisor at the Flathead Job Service.

Those who never got a high-school diploma must get a GED equivalency certificate before enrolling in the retraining program.

"There are others who did finish high school who need remedial math and English to be able to start college-level classes," Gardner said. "If they have no refresher course, then they struggle. After 20 to 30 years in the work force, it's normal to forget algebra and fractions."

Margaret Girkins, program director for the Adult Learning Center at Flathead Valley Community College, said she is working closely with the college and Job Service to complete the basic-education assessments. The federal program allows time to brush up on math and English "before the clock starts ticking" for the actual retraining time, she said.

"What we're seeing is that many workers are ready to go on to college, but we have a group that needs to review reading and math skills," Girkins said.

The Adult Learning Center stands ready to help people with GED preparation and basic education needs.

"Sometimes those who need it most don't come through the door," Girkins said. "But once they're in the door and we can talk to them, we can make them feel they're not alone."

Terry Barnhart is among the unemployed workers who are back at the books. She recently lost her job at the Plum Creek Medium Density Fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls where she had worked for 34 years.

"It's been 40 years since I was in school," said Barnhart, now 58. "I think math has been the hardest overall."

Barnhart said if she had known she'd have to retrain this late in life, she would have taken classes along the way.

"I would have kept up," she said. "But I had a good job driving a forklift. I raised my family."

Now she's contemplating a small-business degree. Photography would be her dream job.

Sam Peterson worked at the Plum Creek MDF plant for 18 years before being laid off permanently in mid-January. He's in the final throes of getting his GED.

"I've taken two tests, I have two more tests tomorrow and one more after that," he said recently.

Peterson, 43, said he scored better than he thought he would on the basic assessment. Not bad, he added, since he hasn't been in school since 1983. He dropped out when "jobs were a dime a dozen," and has been doing mill work since he was 18.

The Columbia Falls native now is focused on a career in diesel technology field maintenance and wants to relocate to Alaska.

FOR ADULTS who need tutoring beyond the Adult Learning Center's basic-education class, Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County offers confidential one-on-one assistance.

"We know it's difficult to step forward," Literacy Volunteers executive director Christine Hensleigh said. "When these learners do come forward to improve their basic literacy, they often don't realize what a courageous act it is. It's so exciting when they do, because it can change a life."

The service is free, and volunteers are trained specifically to relate to adult learners.

"The recent economic downturn has revealed a surprising need for basic literacy education in the Flathead area," Hensleigh said. "Reading is a critical skill for work, accessing knowledge and just to live a life.

"It's a globally competitive marketplace and we need to make sure American and Flathead workers can function," she said.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the economy will require higher education, but more than 60 percent of Americans ages 25 to 74 have no post-secondary education credential. As a result, a U.S. worker with only a high-school diploma makes nearly 40 percent less than one with a college degree.

An estimated 9 percent of Montanans don't have the literacy skills to read a bedtime story to a child, read prescription labels, fill out a job application or read a map, Hensleigh pointed out.

Low literacy skill is a national concern, she added.

In 2006, more than eight million American students in grades 4 through 12 struggled to read, write and comprehend. One-third of all incoming college freshmen enroll in a remedial reading, writing or mathematics class.

Anyone interested in the personal tutoring provided by Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County can call the agency at 257-7323.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com