Basic Skills
About Basic Skills
The Basic Skills programs, General Educational Development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE), focus on providing classes to individuals seeking to improve their fundamental academic skills. These programs help students develop the skills needed to pursue further education, to improve employability, or to contribute more fully in their communities. The classes are taught by professional and compassionate instructors committed to their students’ progress. Classes are offered at no cost and allow students flexibility through open enrollment throughout the year.
Data shows that students who drop out of high school tend to earn less and have a lower standard of living. You can take the first step towards getting your GED. Click here to find free referrals to local GED programs and information on the GED diploma process.
Learn More About Basic Skills Contact: Marti Hunter, Director of Basic Skills 252-249-1851 ex. 3083 or mhunter@pamlicocc.edu.
GED General Educational Development
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Room 407 – PCC main campus
Mon, Tues, and Wed evenings: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
PCC Bayboro Center
The GED test provides a high school equivalency for individuals who did not complete a high school diploma. Completion of the GED meets criteria often required for employment, promotion, or acceptance into either a two-year community college or a four-year university.
Students pursuing a GED may be recently out of high school or may have been out for many years. The course work is individualized, allowing students to move at their own pace, with the constant support of an instructor. The day and night class offerings allow students to schedule their class time to work within their personal schedules.
With the support of their instructor, students gain the skills necessary to successfully complete the 5 tests that compose the GED. These tests cover Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Students may work through one subject at a time and can take the test for each subject as they become competent.
Prior to completing the final test for their GED, students meet with the Assessment and Retention Specialist to discuss their plans after graduation. Students are provided with the contacts and resources available through PCC for continued support in their education and pursuit of employment.
Basic Skills Plus
The Basic Skills Plus Program at Pamlico Community College combines GED classes along with certificate or degree programs which assist students to graduate with a GED and marketable occupational skills. Career pathways include Allied Health fields, Electronics, and Cosmetology. Students in the Basic Skills Plus Program will work on both GED courses and career courses together, receive academic support services and job skills training.
Click here to obtain a copy of your GED transcript.
GED classes are free. There is a one time charge of $25.00 to take the GED.
Contact: Melony Mills, Assessment & Retention Specialist/Recruiter to register for GED classes, 252-249-1851 ex. 3083 or mmills@pamlicocc.edu.
Human Resources Development Class
The Human Resources Development Class (HRD) is a ten-week course designed to teach students resume` and cover-letter writing skills, professional interview skills, and job search techniques. Upon completion of the class each student should have created a cover-letter template, an updated resume`, and performed a mock interview. Students will also view a video series that will assist them in better understanding modern job search techniques and strategies. Representatives from local businesses will offer relevant presentations. There will also be a field trip to tour the New Bern Employment Security Office. All students enrolled in GED classes have the opportunity to take the HRD class to work on employable skills.
ESL English as a Second Language
Monday & Wednesday evenings 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Arapahoe Charter School
Aprenda ingles. Ofrecemos clases gratuitas
los dias lunes y miercoles a las seis de la tarde.
ESL classes are offered to provide non-native speakers of English a competency in the English language in order to allow them to function comfortably in their communities. Our culturally sensitive instructors work with a diverse student body, from countries such as Mexico, Russia, Yemen, China, the Philippines, and various Central/South American countries.
Instruction focuses on English language acquisition, meeting the student at his/her fluency level. Students with little or no comfort with the English language as well as students working to improve their conversational fluency are welcomed.
**If your organization or institution sees a need for this service, please contact PCC about establishing satellite locations for your group: Marti Hunter, Director of Basic Skills 252-249-1851 ex. 3083 or
mhunter@pamlicocc.edu.
ABE Adult Basic Education
Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 12 noon at the Senior Center
Monday – Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Room 407 at PCC main campus
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Bayboro Center
The ABE classes focus on the student whose competency in Reading, Writing, or Mathematics places them below the 9th grade level. Through individualized instruction and support, when a student’s proficiency reaches the 9th grade level, he/she may move into GED classes.
Our instructors work with students to overcome their academic hurdles in order to reach a competency level necessary to function in society, on a job, or in the family. Students are welcome to take the class in order to improve their reading or writing skills, even if they do not choose to pursue a GED.
ABE classes are free.
Contact:Marti Hunter, Director of Basic Skills 252-249-1851 ex. 3083 or mhunter@pamlicocc.edu.
Basic Skills Success Stories
James Brocksmith: From GED to Career Training
Moving around a great deal allows one to see more of the world. That can be a good thing, or not.
When James Brocksmith was growing up, moving from school to school had its shortcomings. In high school he discovered that a new school might not have the same course alignment as the one he moved from. He recalls that misalignments led to changes in courses in the middle of school terms. This scenario led to a problem with grades.
After a few times with this struggle he gave up and dropped out. Now 24, looking back at a variety of unskilled jobs he held that did not require a high school diploma, he is rectifying his educational status. He enrolled in Basic Skills studies last spring at Pamlico Community College, completed work for the GED, and is now enrolled in the Associate’s Degree curriculum for Computer Information Technology.
Looking even further ahead, Brocksmith says, “I have always had an interest in electronics as well as computers. When I finish this program, I’m pretty sure I want to keep going. I may get a job when I finish this degree and enroll in the electronics program also.”
Brocksmith is profoundly motivated to keep going. He remembers what it was like trying to find good jobs without a high school diploma. “It’s definitely tough without finishing high school. I know because I have tried. I learned that even with just the GED. It’s not all that easy to get a good job. To get a decent job you really have to have more than just the GED. That’s even true when you try to enlist in the military.”
Pamlico Community College has transformed its Basic Skills program into the Basic Skills PLUS program. This program creates pathways for students to enroll in occupational skills classes while preparing to complete the GED or transition into an academic curriculum upon completion of the GED. Students receive a tremendous amount of counseling and support to go beyond simply passing the test required for the GED high school equivalency.
Even though Brocksmith was reluctant and ambivalent about taking the plunge and going back to school, he says now he is glad he did. “I’ve learned it’s not that bad at all. I’m doing a whole lot better in classwork than I thought I would. On top of that, the instructors are really nice.
“This is definitely going to pay off. I now know that you have a better chance of being hired for a good job if you have a good education. I hope my little story helps somebody else.”
Katherine Boomer: Basic Skills Plus Role Model
Katherine Boomer from Mesic has a story that is commonplace not only in Pamlico County, but all across America.
In 1983, she left high school in the ninth grade to help support her siblings and her disabled parents. Now 45 years old, she is going to finish her high school education and more.
Over the last three decades she has worked in nursing homes as well as construction jobs. One special construction job was for the company building the Neuse River Bridge in New Bern. But like so many similar jobs, it came to an end leaving her searching again for work – a task with which she is all too familiar.
Now the mother of three school age children, one of whom is a high school football standout hoping to get a college scholarship, Katherine is enrolled in the Basic Skills PLUS program of study at Pamlico Community College. The PLUS indicates that she is doing more than the necessary work to pass the GED high school equivalency.
Basic Skills PLUS helps GED students enroll in an occupational skills class concurrently with GED studies. For Katherine, this means at about the time she finishes the GED, she will finish studies in a phlebotomy class, ready to enter the workforce with both the GED and a certificate for training in a special skill.
With both the GED and occupational skills training, Katherine will find her prospects for employment dramatically improved when she searches for a new and more permanent job. Her initial success in these studies has already made an impact. Looking ahead, she sees phlebotomy as a way to have good, full-time employment while she possibly considers more advanced career training in a PCC curriculum program of study.
Katherine says her experiences back in school after being out of the classroom have been nothing less than “phenomenal.” She adds, “I think of what they say about being in the Marines. ‘Be all you can be.’ That’s what I want to do. This GED PLUS plan is a great opportunity for me.”
She admits there are struggles. She has to juggle her class schedule with her children’s schedule of events. But she says, “It’s worth the sacrifice.”
Melony Mills, Assessment and Retention Specialist for PCC’s Basic Skills studies program, says, “The Basic Skills Plus program was introduced this semester at Pamlico Community College. It combines GED classes along with certificate or degree programs which assists students to graduate with a GED and marketable occupation. Career pathways include Allied Health Fields, Electronics, and Cosmetology. Katherine will work on her GED courses and career courses together, receive academic support services and job skills training. It’s a win-win for her and others like her.”
Continuing Education staff members are:
Richard Garrett, Director of Continuing Education and Program Audits
252-249-1851 × 3015,
rgarrett@pamlicocc.edu.
Tammy Spain, Coordinator of Continuing Education Services
252-249-1851 × 3013
tspain@pamlicocc.edu.
Kenny Weatherington, Coordinator of Occupational Health & Emergency Services
252-249-1851 × 3017
kweatherington@pamlicocc.edu.
