Parish workers get job and G.E.D.

Because of a shortage of workers, parish decides to hire those without G.E.D., but let them work toward it

A shortage of parish workers and a list of major projects that were running behind schedule forced St. Charles Parish administrative leaders to come up with an unusual idea that would eliminate both problems. With the support of Parish President V. J. St. Pierre, parish officials began hiring applicants on a temporary basis who had no high school diploma or G.E.D.

“The idea was born out of some difficulty recruiting new employees for the parish,” Sandy Zimmer, director of personnel for the parish, said. “I worked with Parish President St. Pierre and Tim Vial, chief administrative officer, to negotiate a contract with the St. Charles Parish School System to provide adult education classes to our employees.”

Shirl Cook, Coordinator for the Adult Education Program, also assisted with the program.

“Ms. Cook was instrumental in making it happen on her end,” Zimmer said. “Sara Champion, a Civil Service Board member, is the person who gave me the idea.”

Champion is an employee of the parish school system and teaches adult education classes. Adult education classes are designed to help or assist high school dropouts with achieving a high school diploma.

The parish employees are allowed to work and receive an education at the same time. The parish pays for the employees to complete the program.

“The classes are on Tuesday and Friday,” Zimmer said. “The parish departments are working with us to allow the employees to attend.”

Some of these employees work four 10-hour work days and are off on Fridays.

“They go on their own time on Fridays,” Zimmer said. “If we have an emergency or a priority job they may not be able to attend that day, but we are making every effort to allow them to attend regularly.”

Zimmer said there are currently 11 employees participating in the program right now.

“We have temporary employees who will be eligible to be hired as permanent employees when they obtain the G.E.D,” she said. “We have permanent employees who are ‘grandfathered in’ and are eligible to promote without a high school diploma or G.E.D.”

Zimmer thinks that the employees should be commended for attending the classes.

“They are motivated to self-improve,” she said. “The opportunity is there and they are taking advantage of it and the parish improves their workforce.”
St. Charles Parish has contracted with the school system through Dec. 19.

“This is a new program so we don’t have a graduation ceremony for them in the plan now,” she said. “I understand the school system holds a graduation for this program.”

Under the plan, the employees are not eligible for the benefits of permanent employees until after they secure a diploma. So far, only public works employees are participating in the program.

“I’m going give it my best shot,” one parish worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, said. “I need to get on permanent for the insurance.”

For more information or to apply to work with the parish and participate in the program call 985-783-5000.