More people reaching for HSE, but further work lies ahead

By Krystal Shetler Times-Mail

BEDFORD — It’s estimated 10% of working-age adults in Lawrence County do not possess a high school diploma.
The Lawrence County Workforce Coalition, a division of the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, is working hard to get those 2,500 people on track to earn a high school equivalency degree, knowing it will make them more successful in the workplace.

“Having a high school diploma is essential for any adult in our community,” said Joe Timbrook, director of career development for the workforce coalition. “It opens up opportunities for residents to improve their job prospects, income achievement and a better quality of life. Statistics show a person with a high school diploma will earn an average of at least $8,000 more per year than one without. Of course, once a high school diploma is achieved, there are more education and skill opportunities to increase those earnings further.”

Doing the math, Timbrook noted if you take that $8,000 and multiply it by 2,500 people, you’re adding an additional $2 million to the local economy in terms of personal income.
“We have to make a dent in that 2,500, and when we do, it will pay dividends over and over in our community,” Timbrook said.

For fiscal years that run from July 1 to June 30, in 2018, Lawrence County achieved 38 HSE completions, but only 18 were attained through local channels, Timbrook said.
“WorkOne was having a difficult time marketing to and attracting those that needed a diploma in the area,” Timbrook said.

However, last year, the workforce coalition set out to improve the HSE statistics as a part of its Indiana Department of Workforce Development Skill Up 3 grant. It teamed up with Vincennes University, the locally contracted HSE instruction provider, and WorkOne, the local DWD liaison, to outline a process and start spreading awareness of the opportunities available in Lawrence County to earn an HSE.

“After launching a marketing/awareness campaign including yard signs, digital signs, billboards, Facebook and Google ads, 47 Lawrence County residents achieved their equivalencies between August 2019 and February 2020,” Timbrook said. “That is two and a half times the entire previous year, trending toward 100 HSEs by June 30. Unfortunately, COVID halted progress temporarily, but classes are back in full swing as seven more residents completed their HSEs in July.
“If we maintain our momentum, there is no reason why we can’t have 250 completed by the end of June.”

Timbrook estimates there were nine HSE completions in August with another 20 in class now who’ve done enough work to take the exam.
“Interest remains strong,” he said.

“Achieving a high school diploma or equivalency is critical to the residents in our community,” Timbrook added. “It will lead to more financial stability for our citizens and open many more doors of opportunity. The Lumina Foundation and the state of Indiana have a goal of 60% post-secondary attainment by 2025 and Lawrence County hovers around 30%. This diploma achievement can be just the first step in a bright and productive future.”

The process, Timbrook said, has been simplified. For Lawrence County residents, a website (www.getmyhse.org) was created, or you can call 812-890-4337. All you’re asked are three basic pieces of information that go directly to local instructor Travis Malone. Malone and his team will personally contact each person by text, phone or email to set up an orientation. Orientation and initial Test of Basic Education are done in-person so instructors can assess where students need to focus their learning. After evaluation, there is an option to continue with online classes or to meet in a more traditional classroom setting. When students are ready to test for the HSE, arrangements are made to complete testing at a local facility. The $95 cost of the test is waived, paid for by the DWD and the workforce coalition.

“We’re going to fund it indefinitely,” Timbrook said. “We have made it very easy for people to sign up, go at their own pace, test locally and test for free. There is no reason why you can’t do this.”

The Lawrence County Economic Growth Council is a nonprofit, local economic development organization existing to support growth of Lawrence County businesses including startup support, workforce solutions and technical assistance which promotes investment that improves the quality of life for local citizens. Learn more at www.lawrencecountygrowth.com.