The GED is benefiting people in West Texas with an average of 70 percent of people employed have a high school degree or equivalent, according to the United State Census Bureau
Mignon Lawson, a supervisor for adult education said, "How hard is it to get a job with nothing, no GED no formal education-- nearly impossible."
Lawson said most of the students coming back to get their GED just want to better their lives.
"A lot of our students are already working but they're working in minimum wage jobs," Lawson said.
Lawson said most of the students who come back to get their education are considered the "working poor," because even though they have jobs they're still barely above the poverty line.
"You see people that are working 40,50,60 hours but if it's, barely making it with what it costs now in our society," Lawson said.
An Abilene electrician is a prime example of needing an education to avoid unemployment.
Lawson said, "They found out he didn't have a high school diploma or an equivalency - he said they've given me three months or I'm going to get laid off."
Lawson said the feeling of accomplishing an education feels like none other. "The pride they feel because now they know - they say 'now I can go on to college. Now I can go ahead and get a job or get a promotion that I was never going to get'," Lawson said.
