Members of the Richmond Community College Board of Trustees wanted updates on the WorkKeys program this week so they can answer questions from community members. When Big Rock Sports at the Richmond Industrial Park required people to have a Career Readiness Certificate to be eligible to apply, the WorkKeys exam given by RCC became a big deal.

RCC President Dr. Sharon Morrissey explained the WorkKeys exam is given on campus and at RCC’s Scotland Center to people interested in earning the certificate. Many industries require it to identify applicants with the skills necessary for advertised positions and do not accept applications from people without one. Many dislocated workers are now attending the free KeyTrain tutoring sessions on campus and in Laurinburg to prepare for the WorkKeys exam. Each of the three exam components cost $10. RCC is working closely with local ESC JobLink Centers to promote the program.

RCC’s Basic Law Enforcement and Training program has been approved by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. The program is offered through the Continuing Education Department, which begins the first class June 8. Since applicants on the waiting list filled the first class, future classes will be advertised well in advance.

Due to lower than expected construction bids, the college was able to increase the size of the F. Diane Honeycutt Center on RCC’s new Scotland County campus. This expansion allows the college to offer an air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration program when the center opens.

By the end of August, seven positions at the college will be vacant until the state budget has been approved and the hiring freeze lifted.

Morrissey said the college is addressing the responsibilities of these positions and will hire part-time instructors to avoid any impact to classroom instruction. Current employees will not receive contracts for 2009-2010 until the State budget has passed.

The Board commended Basic Skills Director Sherry Byrd and her staff for receiving a NC Community College System program audit that received commendation for having an extremely well organized program that exceeded State requirements and fully met all 13 program practices required by the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The audit team examined program files, data, other information, and visited classes throughout the service area.

In other action, the board approved

— Additional duties for division and department chairpersons

— Emeritus status for Abbie Covington, who retired after 34 years at RCC

—A furlough leave plan to address the Governor’s Executive Order # 11

—Rewording of a referral policy for student health evaluations

—The spring semester Continuing Education class visitation report

—An upgraded student fee schedule

—Change orders for current HVAC renovations.