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Building a Skilled Workforce. Bridging Literacy and Workforce Development. Presented by: Laureen Atkins Cuyahoga County Department of Workforce Development. What We Know. There is a direct correlation between education and income
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Building a Skilled Workforce Bridging Literacy and Workforce Development Presented by: Laureen Atkins Cuyahoga County Department of Workforce Development
What We Know . . . • There is a direct correlation between education and income • There is a direct correlation between literacy levels and workplace productivity • Five of the eight top concerns of employers involve reading, writing, communication, and math skills
Workforce Education • A number of national and state organizations in the U.S., including the national governor's association, have identified level 3 proficiency as a minimum standard for success in today's labor market. Findings from the international adult literacy survey (IALS) assessment indicates that only half of the U.S. Adult population 16-65 years of age reached level 3.(Sum, 2002, p11, table 5)
So What Needs to Happen? • More contextualized learning incorporated with adult basic education programs • More offerings of workplace literacy programs at employer locations • More connection between career ladders/pathways and literacy development • More communication between schools and employers