The Winchester-Clark County Bluegrass Community and Technical College campus and Clark County Skills U is offering students a way to accelerate their path to a career.

Students can now earn their GED plus a college certificate at the same time under the new joint program, GED Plus.

Jason Dailey, program coordinator for Clark County Skills U, said the program, which is also available at most Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) campuses, started in the spring as a way to kickstart career pathways for students.

“As the student is working on their ged they can be enrolled in the college course,” Dailey said.

GED Plus students earn a tuition free college certificate through the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program in the following high demand fields of study: health care, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, business services and information technology and construction and trades.

Dailey said the Winchester-Clark County campus offers on-site classes in health care, business services and information technology. Other classes available online.

“You don’t have to leave Winchester for your GED or for a certificate,” he said.

Students also receive one-on-one attention and support from faculty and staff needed to succeed.

The short-term program also allows students to get in and out in four months or less. Dailey said students can also enter the workforce directly after receiving their GED and certificate or they can choose to roll their college course credits over into a full-time or part-time degree program.

“Again, it’s so easy to be completed right here in Winchester or online,” he said.

Dailey said Clark County Skills U can also help students apply to the program, and even if students aren’t interested in the college certificate, they can still receive only their GED. For more information on Clark County Skills U, call 859-744-1975. Go to gedplusky.org for more information on the GED Plus program.

Dailey said there is still time to apply for the next 12-week session.

“We do know most jobs require the GED,” he said. “When you go and you add this certificate or this college coursework to that, your hopes of finding a job just get higher…. You’re on your way to a better life for yourself.”