Coming off the heels of a successful inaugural event, Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Adult Education division held its second Career Pathways Signing Day on Nov. 19. The event saw an increase in adult learners putting pen to paper, continued support of Adult Education’s business partnerships, and words of affirmation from the director of adult education at Texas Workforce Commission.

Signing Day celebrated students in the division’s Career Pathways Program who recently completed workforce training. Similar to the long-standing tradition of high school students inking letters of intent to colleges and universities for athletic scholarships, Adult Education graduates signed their own letter of intent – committing to employment offers from top area Harris County companies. Whether it is changing careers or forging a new path after years of waiting, graduates have given themselves a new opportunity.

More than 60 graduates were honored in front of fellow Adult Education students, HCDE leadership and community partners.

“Somewhere in life, something happened and things stopped moving. There’s a saying that goes ‘Sometimes life gets in the way,’” HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. said. “The quality and trait that these people have is the ability to get up. We call that grit. There are a lot of people who are exceptionally talented in this world but when they fall flat on their face, they don’t have grit. They’re looking for someone to pull them up.

“The people sitting up here today have pressed themselves up. But they don’t stop there – they take a step and it’s a step in the right direction.”

Each graduate earned a workforce training certification, while some went the extra mile, attaining stackable certifications and training to receive promotions or a pay increase with their respective employer.

Among the companies presenting job offers were Memorial Hermann, MAREK Brothers construction, KK Corporation/Subway, Acadian Ambulance Service and Ashford Gardens Nursing Care Facility. Each partner provides students an opportunity to enter the workforce through certifications, including phlebotomy, electrocardiography (EKG) and industrial pipefitting. Adult learners can also qualify as medical assistants or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or undergo National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Core training.

“When I first started out here, I was looking for a fresh start and a way to improve my future,” said Ashley Taylor, a graduate and employee with Premier Diagnostic after shifting from a background in computers. “I wanted change. Fortunately, I’ve been granted a lot of opportunities. I came expecting education but they actually offered community. Everybody here is like family, helped me push through challenges and gave me confidence.”

Taylor has also come full circle with Adult Education as she’s now an assistant CNA instructor. So she not only sat among her peers as program graduates and signees, Taylor will be helping the next group do the same.

“I get to let them know that there’s more to life,” she said. “You can reach for the stars.”

Mahalia Baldini served as the keynote speaker at the event. As the Texas Workforce Commission’s director of adult education and literacy, Baldini oversees an annual investment of $80 million to provide workforce and education solutions to more than 70,000 Texans each year through 100-plus adult education providers across the state.

Like Colbert, she spoke of the grit an individual needs to push through when at a crossroad and “dealing with struggles.” Dreams may have felt out of reach or on the backburner when just trying to live life, but it made moments like signing day that much more special.

“I see your faces,” Baldini said. “I see them filled with a lot of pride, a sense of accomplishment and maybe a little bit of disbelief that we’re finally here. This takes a lot of hard work to do what you’ve been doing these last several months. So, I hope you take time to celebrate this moment. You’ve faced challenges along the way to get here and you’ve met them head-on. For me, that has to feel really, really good.”

Following the signing, honorees posed for photos before heading to the Adult Education Learning Center’s third floor for a congratulatory reception. Each received a Chromebook as well to help on his or her journey, be it employment, more education or both.

“The Adult Education division is honored to have helped you take that first step in beginning your career path,” said Dr. Eduardo Honold, Adult Education senior director. “Ultimately, this is about you and your journey, but let this be the first step in a series of steps that will help you improve your skills, gain more experience and continue with new goals for your career and your life.”