2011 Collaborative Partner of the Year

Garnet Career Center was the recipient of the Collaborative Partner Award for 2011. Garnet has a long history of service to the adult learners of Kanawha County, beginning its current life as an adult technical- career center in 1970. Garnet Career Center is a unique adult job training facility that falls under the operational responsibility of Kanawha County Schools. The adult basic education (ABE) program is located at Garnet, but is under the authority of the Regional Education Service Agency – RESA 3. Through the cooperation and collaboration of these two programs, adult learners have a great opportunity to improve their academic and workforce skills.

Garnet Career Center also serves as one of the top GED® testing sites in the state; therefore, it is critical to have access to a strong, effective learning center to assist students as they prepare to take the tests.

Another successful program resulting from the collaboration of Garnet and the RESA 3/ABE center is the English as a Second Language Program (ESL). The joint effort provides a learning opportunity for adult students to improve their English writing and speaking skills. Last year 74 adult students from 34 different countries came to Garnet to participate in this program.

Garnet supports the ABE center by providing five classrooms, office space, clerical help, career counseling, and marketing, as well as technology equipment and support. Last year, Garnet helped to secure a $25,000 grant from the Governor’s Community Partnership Program for 19 new computers in the ABE computer lab.

It is with great pride that Kanawha County Schools and RESA 3 stand together to offer a one-stop learning opportunity for adults in  GED®  preparation, improvement of English skills, career-technical training, and preparation for post-secondary education.

ABE collaborates with Garnet by both referring GED® graduates to the technical programs available, and by accepting referrals from technical program instructors/counselors for students who need help in earning their GED® Diploma or with enhancing their basic skills. Each program recognizes the other as vital to the success of the students we serve.

The success of the students within the ABE program and the Garnet career-technical students is a perfect example of a successful collaborative partnership.