Online education providing work force skills and certification training has come to a pair of local colleges, making it more convenient than ever for region residents to get the type of education they are looking for from the convenience of their computer.

The online courses are provided by Gatlin Education Services, a provider of online certificate training programs to community colleges, universities and accredited career-colleges worldwide.

GES offers turnkey solutions for new and existing students who want to continue their education or change career fields. They have a catalog of in-demand certificate programs and work force development skills programs necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations. The programs offered by GES are continuing education, noncredit programs offered locally by the colleges they partner with.

The two local colleges that are offering the computer-based GES programs are Ivy Tech Northwest in Gary and South Suburban College in South Holland.

Josephine Blockson is the continuing education coordinator at Ivy Tech Northwest. When she researched online programs for the department, she discovered that other Ivy Tech campuses were heavily using GES.

"Ten out of 14 campuses were using Gatlin's programs," Blockson said. "In my discussions with them, I found that they were very happy with the quantity and quality of the continuing education programs being offered."

The GES Web link went live at Ivy Tech Northwest in late September, and already has students researching it, with one signing up.

"One of our students is going through the financial-aid application," Blockson said. "Gatlin has a loan program that makes it possible for students to take courses without paying in full up-front."

Ivy Tech is working on a way for the noncredit courses to be counted toward a degree at the school.

"If a student takes a Gatlin course and then completes certification, we can use that certification to give credit for classes here when they join one of our traditional college programs," Blockson said.

The GES unique learning methodology combines high quality online content, textbooks, CD-ROMs, and most importantly an online instructor/mentor committed to student success. Adult learners and career changers are generally faced with the need for competency-based or certification-based learning.

These programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations.

South Suburban began working with GES over 10 years ago, according to public relations director Patrick Rush.

"Gatlin offers very specific classes that local employers are looking for," Rush said. "Our Business and Career Institute was looking for very specific training when they came to us, and Gatlin has been able to provide that type of specific training."

According to Rush, some employers send their employees to South Suburban to take GES courses. Others who take the online programs are job applicants looking to get an edge. Between the two, Rush estimated that approximately 20 students sign up for GES courses annually at South Suburban.

Carmen Martinez is vice president of Sales and Marketing for GES. She noted that GES is now partnered with over 600 colleges and universities worldwide.

"We have 83 programs designed to help students acquire specific job skills or a specific career path," Martinez said. "Typically, our programs lead students to some sort of certification. Once a student finishes our online course, they sign up to take the state certification test to become certified in their respective state."

Martinez stated that usually the business development department of a college or university will work with GES to decide which of the 83 online programs offered are best suited for that particular school.

"Over half of the colleges we partner with offer all 83 of our programs," Martinez said.

More information on Gatlin Education Services can be found online at http://www.gatlineducation.com

Gatlin Education Services available at Ivy Tech Northwest include online courses in :

Healthcare Programs

Business / Legal Programs

Construction / Automotive Programs

Internet, Design, and Technical Programs

Networking Comp TIA Programs

Microsoft Certification Training Programs

Video Game Design and Development Programs

Casino Gaming

http://www.gatlineducation.com/ivytech/northwest

Gatlin Education Services courses available at South Suburban College include:

Healthcare Programs that include -

Administrative Dental Assistant

Administrative Medical Assistant

Advanced Coding for the Physicians Office

Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep

Business / Legal Programs that include -

Corporate Governance and Ethics

Lean Mastery

Records Management Certification

Six Sigma Black Belt

Travel Agent Training

http://www.gatlineducation.com/southsurburbancolege