Adult education can be more than earning a certification or GED.

It can be career pathway for students in learning advanced job skills via higher education, in turn, leading to better paying jobs.

That possibility can start with the Manteca Adult School.

“Adult education got re-authorized not too long ago to work with the community college system,” said Paul Downs, who is a consortium facilitator.

He along with representatives of the San Joaquin Delta College met with students Tuesday in Manteca Education and Training Center’s Forklift Certification Series.

“Today, we extended a warm handshake (to students),” said Jonathan Cardiel, who teaches Logistics / Transportation at Delta College.

He described his classes – included is Intro to Warehouse Management – as “challenging yet simple as possible” to those in Manteca Unified’s Careers Technical Education program.

Rocky Heckel teaches this class consisting of learning theoretical and extensive hands-on training in sit-down counterbalanced sit-down forklift, standup counterbalanced forklift, vertical mast lift “cherry picker” and electric pallet jack.

Cardiel, who’s been an instructor at Delta for the past seven years, worked warehousing logistics while in the military. He served 25 years in the Army.

His classes are currently available to Manteca Adult School students. Transition Specialist Heather Maloy and her staff were on hand to guide students through the enrollment process at Delta. No decision was necessary at the time.

Classes start on March 16.

“I know it can be intimidating,” said Cardiel of students seeking that career pathway through the community college system.

He added: “We try to make it as unscary as possible.”

Cardiel instructs classes in warehouse purchasing, introduction to logistics, intro to warehousing, and intro to warehouse management, to name a few.

Downs played a big role in building the bridge for the career pathways.

“Transportation Distribution Logistics is huge around here,” he said, pointing out the numerous job opportunities in the area.

Downs developed strategic plans for the California Adult Education System and the California Community College systems, and is currently the facilitator for a coalition that involves a network of community colleges, adult schools, unions, businesses and community-based organizations.

“It’s a unified approach,” Downs said.

He noted that Point A in the dual enrollment “bridge” begins at the Manteca Education and Training Center, where students can learn the basics.

Point B is Delta College, where their career pathway is the warehouse logistics classes, leading to the workforce.

Manteca Adult School Principal calls it a great team effort.

“We’re making things happen,” he said.

Call 209.858.7330 or e-mail adultschool@musd.net for more information.