Free job training for adults, aged 18 and older, while earning a high school diploma and industry credentials for an in-demand job.

It's never too late to start a career in a new field, but without the right degrees and credentials, it's difficult to make a change. To help individuals in the Greater Cleveland area achieve their goals, Polaris Career Center offers the Adult Diploma Program. Program participants receive free job training while earning a state-issued high school diploma, providing the skills, education and credentials needed to find a job in one of the most in-demand fields in Ohio today.

Before entering the Adult Diploma Program, students must meet all relevant requirements, including:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• Students cannot have previously attained a high school diploma or other equivalent certificate. You do not need any number of high school credits to join the program.

• Prospective students must complete WorkKeys testing and obtain industry benchmark levels in Workplace Documents, Applied Math and Graphic Literacy and obtain a composite score of 14 or highter.

Polaris Adult Education offers the following ADP eligible program options:

• Automotive Service Technician

• Manicurist

• Phlebotomy Certification

​​ADULT DIPLOMA PROGRAM (ADP) ADMISSION BY EXCEPTION PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENT

1.     Students interested in the Adult Diploma Program need to contact the Adult Education department at 440.891.7638 for information and assistance.

2.     Students will be referred to the Aspire program by the Transitions Coordinator.

3.     Aspire staff will contact the student to arrange for TABE testing to determine readiness for the WorkKeys tests, which is an admission requirement.

4.     If a student’s skill level is appropriate to pass the WorkKeys tests at the industry benchmark levels and achieve a composite score of 14, the Aspire staff will refer the student to the Transitions Coordinator to schedule WorkKeys testing in the following areas: Workplace Documents, Applied Math, and Graphic Literacy.

5.     If the student needs additional skill building, the Aspire staff will work with the student to improve skills. Once a student has achieved the necessary skills to be successful on the WorkKeys tests, the Aspire staff will refer the student to the Transitions Coordinator for WorkKeys testing.

6.     Upon completion of the WorkKeys® tests, scores will be reviewed to determine if they meet the industry benchmark levels and a composite score of at least 14. 

7.     If the industry benchmark level and a composite score of at least 14 has not been obtained, the student will be referred back to the Aspire program for additional skill building. Upon reaching a skill level to be successful, the Aspire staff will then refer the student for WorkKeys® retesting. The student will be permitted to take the tests a maximum of two times.

8.     Once the student has obtained the industry benchmark level and a composite score of at least 14, the student will then be eligible for enrollment into the next available Adult Diploma Program eligible Job & Career Training program.  The student must register in person for the Job & Career Training program. At registration, the student must provide a valid government issued photo ID.

 Attendance at the Adult Diploma Program orientation is required.

Contact Bob Schuff, Workforce Counselor at 440-891-7638 or email Bob Schuff for more information.