Workforce Development Literacy Program

Given the economic challenges that persist, it is imperative that adult learners acquire the skills necessary to be more competitive in the 21st century working environment. To be competent and productive worker in the 21st century, Reach Higher, American: Overcoming Crisis in the U.S. Workforce, a June 2008 report of the National Commission on Adult Literacy (NCAL), indicates that “most workers need postsecondary education or occupational training to be ready for current and future jobs”. The intense need to equip adults—particularly singe females with children—with basic academic and workplace skills is evident. According to a the research report, The Ill-Prepared U.S. Workforce: Exploring the Challenges of Employer-Provided Workforce Readiness Training, employers indicate several skills lacking in their workforce and that “…training does not always match the most pressing needs of the workplace…” including: “…Applied skills, such as critical thinking, enabling new entrants to use the basic knowledge acquired in school…Creativity skills among new entrants, which is considered fundamental to business success….and, at the opposite end of the spectrum of skills, yet equally important, there are also considerable gaps in programs to improve basic skills in reading comprehension, writing and math…professionalism…self-direction…teamwork & collaboration….”