Remedial education ... as schools work with employers to develop instructional programs

The lack of basic skills that employers named in a recent survey is, in part, an offshoot of the tight labor market.

"Availability plays into what employers are willing to accept," says Tina Grefrath,manager of the Job Connect offices in Reno, Sparks and Carson City.

Employers are forced to accept lower skill levels in the first place just to get warm bodies.

Even if those employees are not meeting standards, says Grefrath, the companies keep them anyway.

Some employers attempt to bridge the gap by training workers in missing skills.

"A growing number of employers are allowing their employees to attend school, and pay for them to take classes," says Anne Hansen, director of information and marketing at Western Nevada Community College.

Companies can make custom class arrangements with the college.

"We've done all kinds of innovative and diverse plans for companies," says Hansen.

"We've even sent teachers out to the mines in central Nevada."

Much of the onsite demand is for industrial training, says Bus Scharmann, rural development and dean of the Fallon campus.

However, the school also conducted a business writing class for Lyon County employees.

The college has campuses at Carson City, Fallon and Minden, plus satellite learning centers at Fernley,Hawthorne, Lovelock, Yerington, and Smith Valley.

The Management Assistance Partnership acts as a liaison to introduce companies to community college services.

"I see the need across many companies," says Jeff Lawrence, a project manager with Management Assistance Partnership.

Most commonly, he says, companies need employees with specialized skill sets.However, he adds, up to 30 percent of employees also need remedial writing and math skills.

But many employers can't spare workers during hours.

That's why free morning and afternoon classes in English, math and computer use offered at Carson City Job Connect attract the unemployed.

"Initially, there is some tension about learning new skills," says instructor Mary McIvor."But with time and success they see they're making progress."