Job seekers served by workforce boards now have access to earn an accredited high school diploma and workforce certificate to expand their employment prospects
Pensacola, FL, January 5, 2016 – Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE), the world’s first fully AdvancED/SACS accredited online school district, announced today that Cengage Learning’s Career Online High School will now be made available to all members of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). Career Online High School is an innovative workforce-based online high school designed for out-of-school youth and adults. NAWB represents approximately 550 workforce development boards and their 12,000+ members to ensure job training and education programs meet the needs of local and national employers.
“SHCOE has a long track record of working with workforce development boards such as the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, and Kinexus’ workforce development division, and we are excited to offer access to Career Online High School to additional workforce boards across the country through the NAWB,” stated SHCOE Co-founder and Superintendent Dr. Howard Liebman.
He said expanding the program to the national level via the NAWB partnership will further his organization’s mission of improving lives through education. “Workforce boards are tasked with providing educational and career training programs that enhance their members’ ability to find employment that supports the economy and saves tax dollars. Because the Career Online High School program provides both the high school diploma that many employers require, as well as specific workforce-based certification in various trades, it was a perfect fit,” said Dr. Liebman. “We are thrilled to be part of the mission of using education to improve local economies in long-term, sustainable ways.”
Access to the program is provided through an online portal, where the job seekers NAWB serves have 24/7 access to complete their high school diploma and accredited career certification online.
“Workforce board directors and board members are increasingly seeking opportunities for professional development and continuous learning—just as are their job seekers. Our partnership with Cengage Learning (i.e., Career Online High School) provides NAWB an opportunity to offer our members easily accessible, low-cost professional development tools and courses,” said Ron Painter, NAWB Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to our members’ feedback as we continue to expand available learning opportunities.”