Weblog: Workforce
NCAL's Final Report
The National Commission on Adult Literacy released its final report, Reach Higher, AMERICA: Overcoming Crisis in the U.S. Workforce. For more information or to download a copy, visit http://www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org/.
This article continues... »New Reports from Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future (http://www.jff.org/) has released several new reports relevant to workforce education programs:
Getting Ahead: A Survey of Low-Wage Workers on Opportunities for Advancement (http://www.jff.org/Documents/gettingahead.pdf)
Overcoming Obstacles, Optimizing Opportunities: State Policies to Increase Postsecondary Attainment for Low-Skilled Adults (http://www.jff.org/Documents/BTpolicyoverview.pdf)
High-Leverage Governance Strategies for Workforce Development Systems (http://www.jff.org/Documents/winsgovern.pdf)
Making the Connections: The Role of Employer Associations in Workforce Development (http://www.jff.org/Documents/MakingConnect.pdf)
Working Together on Worker Training (http://www.jff.org/Documents/WINsworktog.pdf)
See below for further details.
This article continues... »Learning Disabilities in the Workplace
Read what Paul J. Gerber, Ph.D., noted expert in post-school issues for adults with learning disabilities particularly in the area of employment, has to say as he answers questions for parents and adults on important topics such as:
Workforce Development Materials from NCAL
The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) has released a new Policy Brief by senior analyst Julie Strawn of the Center for Law and Social Policy. This publication, POLICIES TO PROMOTE ADULT EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY ALIGNMENT, was prepared for the 3rd meeting of the National Commission on Adult Literacy on August 20, 2007. As introduced by its author, the publication focuses on "helping adults with lower skills and/or limited English proficiency earn postsecondary credentials that open doors to family-supporting jobs." It examines obstacles to moving toward this goal -- with major attention to lack of alignment between federal and state adult education efforts, job training services, and postsecondary education policies. It also draws attention to the financial, personal, and family challenges that prevent adults from seeking and completing programs. Numerous policy and action recommendations are given for Commission consideration. The publication is available for download from the website of the National Commission. Click here to view them
The document is also available in bound version from CAAL (for pricing and ordering instructions, bheitner@caalusa.org).
This article continues... »For US Worker Anxious Times
This timely article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses current issues in today's labor force, which seem to be permanent and worldwide.
For US Worker Anxious Times
This timely article from the Christian Science Monitor discusses current issues in today's labor force, which seem to be permanent and worldwide.
MDRC Website: Workforce Resources
The MDRC is dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people. Through our research and the active communication of our findings, we seek to enhance the effectiveness of social policies and programs. Find the following resources on the website:
On the MDRC Web site, you'll find project descriptions and downloadable copies of publications. To sign up for twice-monthly e-mails from MDRC with announcements of new publications and resources, click here.
Adult Education and Postsecondary Success
A new policy brief, Adult Education and Postsecondary Success, comparing long-term postsecondary outcomes of GED holders, diploma holders, and non-completers has been released by the National Commission on Adult Literacy.
Authored by Steve Reder of Portland State University and the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy, the brief can be found at: http://www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org/pandp.html
GED Career Bridge to Hospitality Curriculum
The Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center was contracted by the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Adult Education & Literacy, to produce this teacher-friendly, career-focused GED instruction guide based on WIN's GED Learning in the Workplace Curriculum Guide for Hospitality. The guide includes GED as Project Inquiry Activities adapted to hospitality contexts, current hospitality industry vocabulary lists, a variety of career briefs in the hospitality field, hospitality-related reading material and lesson plans, guidelines for implementation, and a complete student handbook.
Breakthroughs, a new JFF newsletter
Jobs for the Future has just begun publication of a newsletter, Breakthroughs, to support the Breaking Through initiative. This initiative is a national effort, funded by a variety of foundations, to help low-skilled adults to acquire the skills they need to succeed in college and the jobs their courses prepare them for. The newsletter provides information about the participating community colleges and their partners' efforts in creating more effective way for low-skilled adults to gain the necessary occupational and technical skills. It provides some interesting insights into the challenges of the work, as well as resources that can be helpful. Piedmont VA Community College is participating in the Breaking Through initiative.