Latest news with #TABE
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ivy Tech ESL Career Training Program receives NIPSCO, NiSource support
KOKOMO, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo has received a $50,000 grant from Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC. and the NiSource Charitable Foundation to expand its English as a Second Language Career Training Program. The grant will be used to enhance educational opportunities for speakers of other languages who live in the area, equipping them with language skills and career-specific training to advance in their chosen fields. Participants in the ESL Career Training Program will receive tailored support, including supplemental instruction and real-world speaking practice, relevant to their professional aspirations. The program is offered in collaboration with Immigration Connection from Cass County to maximize its impact across the Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area, which includes Logansport and Peru. The program is open to recent high school graduates and adults looking to further their education. Individuals already employed are also eligible. 'By reducing language barriers and equipping individuals with essential job skills, the ESL Career Training Program will create clear pathways to educational and workforce success,' said NIPSCO's Karen McLean, Public Affairs & Economic Development manager. 'NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation are proud to support this community initiative.' The funding will support approximately 100 participants annually and will cover fees associated with instructional tools, including the Test of Adult Basic Education testing system and EnGen language upskilling software. TABE is a standardized assessment that helps determine participants' English proficiency levels. Participants will be placed in appropriate instructional levels, with opportunities to progress through the program and achieve full English proficiency upon successfully passing level four. EnGen is an advanced language learning platform designed to teach common words and phrases relevant to a participant's career field. Studies show that 95 percent of EnGen users gain confidence in their English abilities, while 93 percent improve job-related skills and efficiency. The grant will be paid over two years – $25,000 each in 2025 and 2026. Ivy Tech is currently in the pilot phase of the first year of the program. The next class will run from June 9 to August 1 at Ivy Tech's Logansport campus. Day and evening classes are available. For more information, contact Carlos Marroquin, ESL coordinator, at cmarroquin1@ or call 574-398-6081.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kansas City Police Department looking for dispatchers and call takers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Police Department is desperately in need of dispatchers and 911 call takers. While both take emergency and non-emergency calls, only dispatchers communicate with police. The department hopes to attract more people to both positions, which is why it's offering a $2,500 hiring bonus and a pay raise. 'It's just something I wanted to do for a long time and finally decided I might as well do it.' Michelle Negus, one of six call-taker trainees set to graduate on May 1, said. Ex-boyfriend, relatives charged in Oak Park Mall kidnapping While it's been stressful learning the streets and everything else that comes with the job, she's surrounded by support. 'Everyone is willing to help everybody.' Once Negus and the others graduate, they will spend the next 10 to 12 weeks training on the floor before flying solo. Currently, KCPD has about 10 others in that phase of the program. It's an important job, albeit a stressful one, especially since they are short-staffed. 'We need tons of people,' said Andrea Khan, a training supervisor with KCPD. 'We're down 25 right now as a total for our unit.' Khan explained that the goal is to get wait times down so that when people do call, there is someone who can answer. 'We don't like for you to hold and sometimes people want to berate you when you do get on the phone. We also get tons of calls, so if there's one accident, we may get 15 calls.' The department also wants them to take their time with each caller, especially young kids or those who are suicidal. On any given day, Khan explained that there are eight call takers working at a time, each of them getting around 160 calls per day. When you combine the number of calls between them and dispatch, Khan said it's upwards of one million calls every year. 'It can be a stressful job. It's hard work, long hours, schedules kind of crazy; 365 days a year, 7 days a week.' New claims from alleged victims of KC tow company under criminal investigation The Kansas City Police Department is currently taking applications for those who want to be call takers or dispatchers. Qualifications and requirements include: High school diploma or GED. Must reside within 30 statute miles of Kansas City, Missouri, city limits during employment. Successful completion of medical, physical fitness, psychological evaluations and CVSA test. Keystroke test: 80% accuracy or better. TABE Assessment. MMPI Assessment. Click for more information about joining KCPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
