WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and RadioLack of education a barrier to success in Southeast Iowa

KEOKUK, Ia. (WGEM) -- About 26 percent of adults in Southeast Iowa, don't have a high school diploma or a GED.

The startling statistic has community leaders concerned because without an educated workforce, new employers may not come to the community, and unemployment will only continue to climb. So what's being done about the problem?

"I've been out of work since 2010 and I kinda stumbled across this program," said Michael Coons.

When Coons lost his job he turned to Southeastern Community College in Keokuk. He's training to be a hydraulics repairman, but he already has an advantage over others in the workforce. He has a high school diploma.

"There's around 26 percent of the population does not have a high school diploma or a GED. What that means for the community is there is a large number of people who don't have the basic skills that they need for basic, entry level jobs," said Teresa Garcia, Dean of Keokuk Campus for Southeastern Community College.

Southeastern Community College has programs to help students at any age get their GED, and the education doesn't stop there. Students can go on to learn the specialized skills employers are looking for.

"There is high unemployment here. We hear from many employers that it's not necessarily that there aren't jobs but people don't have the skills that they need. and that includes specialized skills but also a high school education," said Garcia.

Skills Kathy Rodger is learning. She graduated high school, but was recently laid off from her job of nearly 10 years. Soon she will become a paramedic.

"It's kinda all falling into place for certain reasons," said Rodger.

Coons says he's confident everything he's learning now will pay off down the road.

"It makes a really big difference, double pay or half pay," said Coons.

Another challenge to providing adult education has been funding. Iowa recently cut funding to community colleges, and the state is one of only three states that doesn't provide money for adult GED courses.