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As we continue to live and learn during this unique time, adult continuing education students upgrading or completing their diplomas can be prepared to take their exciting next steps as the job market presents new opportunities post-pandemic.

It’s Never too Late to Graduate: Adult Continuing Education Registration Open

The past few months have seen great changes to our schedules, routines and plans as COVID-19 plunged the world into an unprecedented crisis. But even in a crisis, there is opportunity, and for many, that opportunity might include returning to school to further their educations.

“With the current pandemic situation, and with many potential learners at home or working from home, it's a great time to upgrade or complete your secondary school education,” said Greg Carruthers, Principal at Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA), which oversees continuing education for adults, among other programs. “Everyone is experiencing life differently right now, so the flexibility of online summer courses means students can set their own schedules and access learning 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Adult learners enrolling in courses this summer have access to many of the same courses offered year round in Grand Erie, but with the option of earning a credit in a much shorter timeframe, if they wish. There are also more than 60 online courses available to adult learners through GELA throughout the year, which students can register for at any time. Learning continues to take place online across the province due to public health guidelines, so students enrolling in summer courses will have access to Microsoft Office applications, with teachers providing instruction in a variety of ways including video, audio and text-based formats through the Brightspace platform.

GELA staff members are quick to point out that it’s “never too late” to complete your secondary school diploma, and that many prospective students are pleasantly surprised to learn how close they are already to achieving this milestone.

“In some cases, students can use their work and life experiences to count towards credits, bringing them one step closer to earning their diploma,” said Carruthers. “What you’ve done already, what you’ve experienced in life, could count as credit.”

As we continue to live and learn during this unique time, adult continuing education students upgrading or completing their diplomas can be prepared to take their exciting next steps as the job market presents new opportunities post-pandemic. With a wide range of courses available, and timelines to suit every schedule, now is a great time to start on that journey.

To get started, students are required to have a copy of their secondary school transcript. If they’re a former Grand Erie student, GELA can help track down that information. If the student attended a school outside of Grand Erie, they just need to contact the last school attended to obtain a copy of their transcript.

Visit the GELA website for more information, or contact Adult and Continuing Education Guidance Counsellor Jenn Krupicz-Malcolm with any questions about the options available this summer, and how to register.

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