Pocono News Section

New Higher Education Opportunities Coming to Carbondale

New Higher Education Opportunities Coming to Carbondale - Friday, August 14, 2009 at 4:55PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday, Aug 14, 2009 @ 04:55pm EST
var images = new Array(); CARBONDALE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - There will soon be brand new higher education opportunities in the city of Carbondale. The city is joining forces with Lackawanna College to offer a GED/Nurse Aide Training Program.

It's all part of a bigger project known as the Greater Carbondale Academic Institute.

"It's going to provide great opportunities for people to get higher education locally to avoid having to travel," Christine Tocki-Mulvey said. Tocki-Mulvey in the community and economic development director for Carbondale.

The new GED/Nurse Aide Training program will be intensive. Classes will most likely be held at the city's library and clinical work will be done at the Carbondale Nursing home.

"It's not just a little taste of what you're getting when you walk out. You know that you just went through what you will do on your job," Dr. Ann Stelma from Lackawanna College said.

"Healthcare is such a growing field. There's a lot of need for nurses aide training, so we're hoping this will really fit the need in this area right now," Tocki-Mulvey said.

Officials from the Carbondale Nursing Home hope the new program will help them get qualified employees. Turnover can be high.

"We hire a lot. A lot of our people are summer-type employees," Charles Galat from the Carbondale Nursing Home said.

Officials say the nurse aide training is just the first step. They want to add more programs and even get the new academic institute a permanent home.

"We've already estimated that it's going to be about a three million dollar building downtown," Mayor Justin Taylor said.

For now, officials are taking one step at a time. They need interested people to sign up for the first program. The best thing, for most, it's free.

"The students don't pay a thing as long as they go to the career link and they're deemed eligible. It is completely free for the students," Dr. Stelma said.

For information on enrolling the GED/Nurses Aide Training, contact Lackawanna College at (570) 961-7813 or 1-877-346-3552.