For 50 years, Big Bend Community College has been committed to providing education and training for people so they can develop better skills, find better jobs, and be more effective community members.

Providing adult literacy classes has been a major component of that effort. In Grant County, 36 percent of adults have less than a high school diploma. In Washington State, an estimated 1 in 6 adults lack the skills to read a newspaper, follow written directions, or follow an employee handbook.

Partnerships with business and industry are essential to the success of adult literacy education at Big Bend. One example is Lamb Weston-BSW, which partnered with Big Bend to provide a classroom at the work site in Warden for employees who need to improve their English skills to retain their jobs or add responsibilities. The company’s commitment to assisting employees in improving their skills and abilities, combined with the expertise of Big Bend faculty, resulted in positive outcomes and an enduring relationship benefiting both Big Bend and the company.

Now, more than ever, the issue of improving adult literacy is a key to improving our economy. Now, more than ever, we need to recognize these companies that create educational opportunities for their employees.

Through their efforts, we truly will create opportunities for better skills, better jobs, and ultimately, a better community.

What are you doing to support adult literacy? Not sure how to proceed? Volunteer to tutor an adult learning to read. Fund a scholarship for a deserving parent. Insist that your employees have a GED or high school diploma. Point them at the college and provide incentives for them to continue their lifelong learning.

Lamb Weston-BSW is a model for workforce/education partnerships. But there’s always more that we can do, and now, more than ever, we need to act.