Adult Education and Literacy Offers More Than a GED or ESL Classes

Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs can help adults build skills for work, education and everyday life. But as Danielle Knots, manager of career pathways at the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, explained on the Workforce Solutions podcast, AEL has grown far beyond the traditional image of GED or English-language classes.

“AEL is so much more” than the traditional programs people may associate with adult education, Danielle said.

AEL includes programs and services that help adults build foundational knowledge and develop skills they can use to reach their next goal.

More Than the Basics

AEL services can include:

• GED preparation and vouchers
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Digital literacy
• Financial literacy
• Family literacy
• Numeracy
• Soft skills and hard skills training
• Micro-credentials
• Customized training for employers

Some training can be developed for employers and offered on-site, at institutions of higher education or through education service centers.

Workforce Solutions also supports scholarships for GED vouchers, helping eligible individuals access the education and training they need to move forward. For Danielle, the value of AEL goes beyond the skills participants gain.

“It provides confidence. It provides knowledge. It provides soft skills, hard skills.”

That range is part of what makes AEL relevant to adults with different educational and career goals.

Preparing for College and Careers

AEL can also help adults prepare for post-secondary education.

Danielle explained that Workforce Solutions works with school districts and higher education institutions to support individuals transitioning into college. For students who need additional foundational skills before taking the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2 (TSIA2), programs can help them strengthen those skills and prepare for credit-bearing college courses.

The goal is not limited to passing a test. These programs can give participants the foundation they need to begin their next step in education.

For employers, AEL can also provide a way to support employees who want to strengthen their skills. Training can address areas such as digital literacy, equipment, technical skills and soft skills.

One Family, Two Educational Journeys

During the podcast, Danielle shared a recent story that showed how AEL services can support people at different stages of life.

A director at Houston Community College was taking an Uber while his car was being repaired. During the ride, he spoke with the driver about her work and goals. The conversation revealed a connection to HCC: the driver’s mother worked in custodial housekeeping for the AEL program.

The mother had enrolled in literacy classes to strengthen her communication skills with her family and continue developing her skills. At the same time, her daughter had enrolled in a nursing program.

Both mother and daughter are now continuing their education and working toward their individual goals.

The story reflects the range of people and goals that can be connected through Adult Education and Literacy programs, from strengthening foundational skills to preparing for a college program.

Learn more about Adult Education and Literacy through Workforce Solutions and connect with Career Pathways to get started. 

Watch the complete episode here.

Explore in-demand careers and connect with top employers at upcoming Workforce Solutions hiring events. Register today to secure your spot and access career-building resources.