After curtailing many of its Adult Ed programs over the past two years due to recession-driven funding cuts, adult education has returned to the Carbon County Career & Technical Institute.

For those who have been patiently wondering about CCTI's Adult Ed's status, fearing that it may not return, perhaps a quote from Mark Twain is in order, "The report of my death was an exaggeration," he said.CTI's Adult Ed began its resurrection with a Certified Nurse Aide course this summer, followed by three courses-Welding Technology, Certified Nurse Aide, and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) in the fall semester, and is planning over 30 courses for its Spring 2014 schedule.Registration has begun for the Spring 2014. Classes are offered in five areas: Health Occupations, Cosmetology, Trades and Industrial, Computer Programs, and Special Interest and Health/Wellness. For information and to register for courses, contact Francine Garenty-Kluck at 570-325-3682 ext. 1517.The Health Occupations program offers its core course in Nurse Aide certification, and the Cosmetology program offers classes in Aesthetician, Nail technician, and Cosmetology Refresher.The Trades and Industrial program offers courses in: Auto Collision Repair, Basic Oil Burner and Maintenance, Introduction to Precision Machine Skills, Basic Residential Plumbing, Powered Industrial Truck - Forklift, Lockout/Tag Out, Confined Space, Fall Protection Standards, DC Fundamentals, OSHA 10-Hour Construction, PennDOT Safety Inspection Mechanic Certification, Introduction to Computer Numerically Controlled Machinery, Introduction to AutoCad, Introduction to Construction Blueprint Reading, Residential Wiring, and Welding Technology.In the area of Computer Programs, classes will be offered in: Internet for Beginners, Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint, Publisher, Word, and Excel, and Photoshop CS6.The balance of the classes are offered under the Special Interest and Health/Wellness category. These include: Professional Acting 1, Script Writing and Storyboarding for the Media Industry, a New You - Keeping Healthy New Year's Resolutions, Strong Bones - Preventing Osteoporosis, Strategies to Feel More Energized at Work, Eating Right on a Budget, GED Preparation, and Driver's Education - on the Road Training for High School Students."Our purpose is to provide quality adult educational programs to those who are seeking to better themselves through education, training or retraining," explained Dave Reinbold, administrative director of CCTI. "In addition, we want the Adult Education program to be financially self-sustaining."In past years, the CCTI Adult Ed program received grants of $150,000 from New Choices/New Options, of $39,000 and $97,000 from EARN - Welfare to Work Program, of $100,000 from the Regional Career Education Partnership for Youth, of $40,000 from Transportation Pilot, $82,000 from the Family Literacy, and $30,000 from Lehigh Carbon Community College for the GED program-the only funding that remains."We've had to streamline the operation due to the elimination of approximately 500K in grant funding over the years. At one point, we had a full-time site supervisor and a full time Director of Adult Education overseeing the program."To reinstate the program, CCTI will run the courses with a reduced administrative staff. "We are currently operating with a part-time site supervisor, Francine Garenty-Kluck, as our sole adult education administrator," Reinbold said. "Several classes are now up and running and more will follow."Francine Garenty-Kluck, the Adult Education Site Supervisor was hired to organize the fall term. At the time she was working at Alvernia University. The Tamaqua native has degrees from Bloomsburg and Misericordia Universities in marketing, business management, and organizational management."It's a great opportunity for individuals in Carbon County to get training locally and not have to leave the area," Garenty-Kluck said. "A lot of people are calling about GED services. A lot of employers will not hire someone who does not have a high school diploma or GED.""Clearly, we are well on our way to meeting our goal of providing valuable adult education within our budgetary means," Reinbold concluded.