FAQs

General Information & How to Contact CWD

The Center for Workforce Development at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES provides a variety of industry-aligned educational solutions to prepare you for the 21st century workforce. If you are not sure where to begin give us a call at 585-349-9100. We will connect you with the right person to help you. You can also email us your questions at: [email protected]. We love what we do and we look forward to working with you.

Locations

  • Main Office: The Center for Workforce Development main office is located at 3555 Buffalo Road in the Westview Commons in Gates, NY 14624. The mailing address is 3555 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624. Adult Literacy Programs, Certified Nurse Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, and Phlebotomy and Lab Sciences are held at this location.

  • CWD Career and Technical Education Center: Adult Continuing Education classes and Career Job Training classes are held at 3589 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY 14559. Entrance to CWD for Adult Continuing Education evening and weekend classes is the side double door, with a red awning, on the westside of the building with a parking lot.
    • Career Job Training Classes of Dental Assistant, HVAC-R are held in the CTE South Building- enter through the door/gate at the end of the parking lot.

Career Job Training Programs

Our career job training programs offer a convenient and affordable way to prepare for new job opportunities in less than a year. CWD has programs in Health Careers, Building Trades and Manufacturing, and CDL Class B. Learn more here.

  • What is the difference between CE and JT? 
    • Career Job Training (JT): Our Job Training programs emphasize practical application of key concepts and skills, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to secure employment in a variety of industry sectors. Job Training programs are usually 100-600+ hour programs and require successful completion of an entrance assessment and intake meeting to enroll in the program.
    • Continuing Education (CE): Our Continuing Education programs are part-time courses that offer individuals a convenient and affordable way to upgrade their current skills, or pursue an interest or hobby. CE courses may range from three to 50 hours and are offered during evening and Saturday hours to accommodate the needs of the adult learner, and there are no requirements to enroll in the classes.

  • How do I enroll in a JT program? If you have decided which program you are interested in, the first step is to create an account on our website and schedule an Entrance Assessment Session. Entrance Assessments are conducted weekly at our main office, 3555 Buffalo Road. Plan on being with us for about 4 hours. We will review all the details of the job training programs, complete your intake paperwork, discuss the specific requirements for each program and complete your entrance assessment.

  • What is the Entrance Assessment? Enrollment in Job Training programs requires successful completion of a basic entrance assessment called the TABE: Test of Adult Basic Education. The TABE provides an assessment of the applicant’s basic math and reading skills, which are used to determine if the applicant has the skills necessary to be successful in the Career Job Training program. There is a one-time $25 fee for the entrance assessment. Applicants who do not achieve the minimum score are encouraged to retake the assessment at no additional cost.

  • Is there tuition assistance available? Tuition Assistance may be available for eligible students interested in Job Training programs only. Students may be eligible to receive funding through a variety of organizations including: Federal Assistance (Pell or Stafford Loans) RochesterWorks!, Finger Lakes Works!, GLOW WDB, ACCES-VR, CSEA, HPOG-WIO, and Veterans Benefits. 

  • May I make a payment plan for the tuition? Tuition for Career Job Training programs must be paid in full prior to the first day of class in order to secure your spot in the class. Payment plans are not accepted. 

  • How do I make a payment for a JT program? Payment for Job Training programs must be received to complete your enrollment. Payment by check may be made by mail.  Cash, check or credit card payments will be accepted in-person at our main office, 3555 Buffalo Road between 8:30 am and 4pm.

  • If I have to withdraw from a JT program can I get a refund? Our Job Training refund policy is as follows: A written request to withdraw from the course must be received by the CWD office upon withdrawal. A percentage of the program tuition will be refunded, depending on the percentage of the program hours completed, minus a $50 processing fee. 
    • -Up to 7% of the program hours completed = 75% refund 
    • -Up to 13% of the program hours completed = 50% refund 
    • -Up to 20% of the program hours completed = 25% refund 
    • -Over 20% of the program hours completed = no refund 
Please note: refunds take approximately 4 – 6 weeks for processing

  • Where are the JT program classes held? Job Training programs are held at both our main office in Gates or at our Spencerport location:
    • GATES: 3555 Buffalo Road
      • -Certified Nurse Assistant
      • -Medical Office Assistant
      • -Phlebotomy and Lab Services
      • -CDL-B Driver’s License
    • SPENCERPORT: 3589 Big Ridge Road
      • -Dental Assistant
      • -HVAC/R

Continuing Education

Our continuing education courses provide the opportunity for lifelong learning to all members of our community.. Whether you are interested in improving your skills, pursuing a hobby, or earning an industry-recognized certification, we have a program for you. Courses are offered in a variety of career fields, from culinary arts to home remodeling and offered during evening and Saturday hours to provide flexibility for your schedule. To learn more and for a list of classes go to here.

  • What is the difference between CE and JT?
    • Continuing Education (CE): Our Continuing Education programs are part-time courses that offer individuals a convenient and affordable way to upgrade their current skills, or pursue an interest or hobby. CE courses may range from three to 50 hours and are offered during evening and Saturday hours to accommodate the needs of the adult learner, and there are no requirements to enroll in the classes.
    • Career Job Training (JT): Our Job Training programs equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to secure employment in a variety of industry sectors. Job Training programs are usually 100-600+ hour programs and require successful completion of an entrance assessment and intake meeting to enroll in the program.

 
  • How do I pay the tuition for a CE class? Tuition is usually paid by credit card on the website during enrollment.  Payment must be received to complete your enrollment. Payment by check may be made by mail.  Cash, check or credit card payments will be accepted in-person at our main office, 3555 Buffalo Road between 8:30 am and 4pm.
 
  • If I have to withdraw from a Continuing Education class can I get a refund? Our CE refund policy is as follows:
    • Full Refund: A written request to withdraw from the course must be received by the CWD office no later than five (5) business days prior to the first scheduled day of class. 
    • Partial Refund: A percentage of the program tuition will be refunded depending on the amount of notice received, less a $50 processing fee. 
    • Notice less than five (5) school days prior to the start of the first scheduled class = 90% refund >Notice after the first class and at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled date of the second class = 75% refund 
    • Notice after the second class = no refunds 
Please note: refunds take approximately 4 – 6 weeks for processing.
 
  • Where are the CE classes held? All CE classes are held at our Spencerport location: 3589 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY
 
  • How do waiting lists work? If the class is full, there is an option in the enrollment area of the website to be added to the waiting list. Should a spot become available, the first person on the waiting list is contacted and offered the spot and is expected to respond and pay the tuition within 24-hours. Should that person not be interested, the next person on the waiting list will be contacted.

ESOL

  • What kind of English Language programs do you offer?
    • ESOL  - English for Speakers of Other Languages
    • Citizenship - Learn English while you prepare for the naturalization test to become a U.S. citizen.
    • Integrated Job Training - Get English language support while you work towards a new career.

  • When are ESOL classes?

  • Do you offer online classes? Students have the option of enrolling in an at-home learning program and receiving optional instructional support in-person.  Please call 585-349-9100 for more information.

  • How much does it cost to enroll in your programs? All of our literacy programs are free! There is a one-time $25 fee for Orientation, which is waived for NYS Benefit Card Holders.

  • How do I get started? To enroll in an ESOL program, schedule an ESOL Literacy Orientation with us. Call us at 585-349-9100 or complete an information request form.
    For more information, go here.

High School Equivalency


  • Do you offer online classes? Students have the option of enrolling in a packet based at-home learning program (SMART, GRASP, or Fast Track Math) and attending optional in-person instructional sessions. Please call 585-349-9100 for more information.
     
  • How much does it cost to enroll in your programs? All of our literacy programs are free! There is a one-time $25 fee for Orientation, which is waived for NYS Benefit Card Holders.
     
  • How long does it take to earn your HSE diploma? Our curriculum covers all the essential skills and content in 6 months. It is different for everyone, and depends on a variety of factors. As with any educational program, the more a student attends classes and works hard, the more successful they are.
     
  • Where are classes held? Most of our classes are held at our Westview Commons location in Gates, NY: 3555 Buffalo Road, Rochester NY 14624.

For more information, go to here.

HSE Testing (GED)

Important Announcement!
  • The TASC will no longer be available anywhere in New York starting January 1, 2022.
  • Starting January 1, the GED® will be the High School Equivalency test. 
  • The testing schedule for 2022 has not yet been determined, as we’re waiting on guidance from the NY State Education Department.
  • We will post updates here as they become available. Please check back for more information.
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  • How do I sign up to take the GED? To schedule a test, create an account on ged.com

  • Am I eligible to take the GED? New York residents must be at least 19 years of age to take a GED test. If you are 16, 17, or 18 you must get approval to test. Please complete the HSE Age Eligibility form with help from the institution official, who needs to verify the information, and mail the completed form to the NYSED office for approval. The approval process may take up to one week, after the form is received. Please allow two full weeks for the mail to reach NYSED HSE Office. Once approved, you will be able to schedule your GED test from this account.

  • How can I find out my scores on the GED? Scores and other information regarding your test can be found by logging in to ged.com

  • What if I’m not ready to take the test? Can you help me prepare? Yes! CWD offers FREE HSE preparation classes and home-learning options for adults 21 and over. Find out more information on our HSE literacy page

  • Can I have help filling out my GED application? Of course! Call us today for assistance: 585-349-9100

  • I have an IPE or 504 and testing accommodations. Do these apply for taking GED? They might.Test-takers can apply for testing accommodations directly through their GED.com account. Accommodations previously approved through the TASC do not transfer.

  • I’m nervous about taking a computer-based test (CBT). Can I practice first? Yes! Opportunity for practice is available through your GED.com account. 

  • What is the difference between HSE, GED, and TASC? HSE stands for High School Equivalency diploma - it's the diploma you work towards if you didn't graduate high school. Both the GED and TASC are EXAMS that provide evidence needed to earn a NYS HSE diploma. 
    1. The GED was used by New York State to assess performance for HSE credit from 2003 – 2013. 
    2. Beginning in 2014, TASC – Test Assessing Secondary Completion™ had been used 
    3. Starting in January 2022, NYS went back to the GED. 
An applicant who passed some GED or TASC tests can use those credits towards their HSE diploma, even if they are from out of state. You can request your HSE transcript to verify your previous GED and TASC scores. To request your transcript, fill out the Attachment H and mail it to the address at the top of the form, along with a money order for $4. 

  • I’ve passed Regents exams. Do those count toward my HSE diploma? Yes, the NYS Board of Regents approved regulatory changes to provide an additional pathway to earn a New York State High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma by allowing individuals to use passing scores on certain Regents exams in place of the corresponding subtests. You will need to complete Application R. Here’s more info about the approved regulation: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/fourth-pathway-hse-diploma

  • Is help available to prepare me for the math sub-test? Yes! CWD offers a Distance Learning program and a stand alone workshop. Click here to learn more about both options.
    Contact CWD at 585-349-9100 for more information.

  • How can I check the status of my diploma or get a copy of my transcript? Contact the New York State Education Department HSE Office: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/contact-us

  • Where can I get a copy of my diploma or transcript? Contact the New York State Education Department HSE Office: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/duplicate-diplomas-andor-transcripts