When I heard about CDO I made an appointment and got right in. That is also a nice thing about CDO, you will get in quick. So if you want to get your GED, I think CDO Workforce is a great idea! 

I had a really positive experience working to get my GED. April was a really big help throughout the process. I passed my GED thanks to the help of the Sidney CDO workforce; I thank everyone who helped me get it!

Joanne came into CDO Workforce Center, Norwich, in August 2008, looking for a job.  She was employed, but unhappy with her work situation and wanted to find other opportunities.

She updated her resume with our help and asked a variety of questions via e-mail. We strongly suggested she stay in her job until she found something better, and to take civil service exams she qualified for because they frequently come with higher salaries.

Joanne took a number of exams, and in April 2009, took took Metrix online learning course in Microsoft Excel to upgrade her computer skills. In 2010, Chenango County hired her, and she’s very happy with her new job.

Heather helps her students get work and to be ready in the real life. … GED helped me out after dropping out of school. I’m not telling you to drop out, but if you think that school isn’t working, don’t just drop out and not do anything for an education, come to CDO work force and talk to Heather. I did it, and you can do it. Nothing should hold you back from getting some sort of education.

Laura was laid off from MeadWest Vaco in early 2009 after more than 20 years as a production worker. She knew she had to do something different to support her family.

She visited her local One Stop Office and with the help of a career counselor, she decided to enter into the healthcare profession and found she was eligible for retraining through the Federal Trade Act. She applied to and was accepted into DCMO BOCES Licensed Practical Nursing program in March of 2009.

She graduated with honors in June of 2010 and passed her New York State licensing exam her first attempt.

Laura now works as a licensed practical nurse at Broome Developmental in Sidney, making more money than after 20 years as a factory worker.

“I feel like I can make a difference in the quality of people’s lives in this job,” Laura said.

The GED Class and Program have helped me a lot. I studied hard and with the help of the teachers I managed to pass my Exam, Everyone was of great help. If any of us students had trouble with anything the teachers were right there to help us as much as we needed it. I thank them every day for helping me get through one of the toughest parts in someone's life and that's finishing school.

My name is Karl Schwed and I was unemployed for one year. I was hired by Dollar Tree as a Store Manager on April 1, 2011. I feel this wouldn’t have been possible if not for the help of Kathy DeAngelo, Tim Moretti, and Athena Manley. They were very helpful. Kathy went above and beyond what her job is. I was at the CDO Workforce working on my resume for hours and I believe this helped me with my new position.  When I received the phone call to set up the interview with Dollar Tree, I asked Tim to help me prepare for the interview. The information he gave me was very helpful.  He reviewed how to talk, dress and even how to sit. I have never been able to tie a tie, but Tim showed me a web site that gave me step by step instructions! Athena gave me information when I was first unemployed and helped me apply for this position in the resource room at the CDO Workforce. I believe the information and assistance they gave me is what helped me get this job. If it was not for the staff, I would still be looking a job today. I would like to thank them for everything they did and going beyond their job descriptions. I also would like to THANK YOU for staffing the people you have. I think they are underpaid for the amount of work and assistance they give the people who come in asking for help.

TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP.