For the past 10 years, Barbara Emsurak has helped young adults from the McKeesport area get ready to take a test to earn a high school diploma.

Ms. Emsurak is a tutor with the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, which helps non-traditional students prepare to take a GED, or General Educational Development, high school equivalency test.

It's not only the students who have learned during the process, she points out.

"I learned all about perseverance from these students," said Ms. Emsurak, 49, of Elizabeth Township, who works as a substitute teacher.

"Many of the students wanted a GED so they can go on to college. They have ambition. Not having [a GED] was holding them back," she said.

These days Ms. Emsurak is getting ready for her next student, who will be an English as a Second Language student.

Adults interested in becoming tutors in either basic education program, or the ESL can register for 12-hour volunteer training programs this month. The programs are administered by the literacy council.

The "Basic Education Volunteer Tutor Training" will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Oct. 21 and 22 at the Sonshine Kitchen, 908 Evans Ave., McKeesport.

The ESL Volunteer Tutor Training will be held on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Penn and Highland avenues, East Liberty.

Participants must attend all four sessions.

The workshops' mission is to ensure that adults and families acquire reading, writing, math, English language, workforce skills, and computer skills so they may reach their fullest potential and participate productively in their community.

Since its founding in 1982, the GPLC, headquartered in East Liberty, has served more than 25,000 students. The agency has eight offices throughout the county.

Peggi Kelley, South Hills Area Coordinator who is headquartered in Mt. Lebanon, said her office oversees some 60 tutors, of which about 60 percent teach ESL.

During the training by the agency's staff of professional teachers, volunteer tutors will learn teaching techniques, lesson planning, and more.

"It's a very good opportunity for people to get involved in the community. Tutors enjoy it a lot, and get as much out of it in the end as our students," said Crystal Brian, a coordinator.

Students receive tutoring services free of charge.

Once "graduated," tutors teach basic literacy to a student or group of students in a library, church, or a community center throughout the county.

Ms. Emsurak meets with her students in two-hour sessions at either the YMCA of McKeesport, or the library of the Pennsylvania State University campus in McKeesport.

"It has been very rewarding. I would recommend it to anyone," she said.

To register for the workshop, or to enroll in the program, call 412-661-7323, or visit www.gplc.org.