Adult Education and
Businesses as Partners

Identified Need

The growing need for a literate workforce has become a national concern in the Unites States as business, industry, labor organizations, political leaders, and educators acknowledge the enormous cost of illiteracy.  “Nearly half of the 191 million adults in the United States lack enough proficiency in basic skills to work effectively in today’s workplace” and productivity loss caused by low skills “costs our nation $225 billion annually” (Coors Literacy Pays, 1995)

Partnership Opportunities

--  just to mention a few

Ø     Share our services with your current employees

Interested students are encouraged to visit our our local Community Educaton Programs to find out what classes best fit their learning needs. The ABE Program Manager is Dona Anderson whose office is at Minnesota West Community & Technical College-Jackson Campus. 401 West St. Jackson, MN. She can be reached at 1-800-658-2522, Ext 7927 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can contact your local community education program for more information on your local ABE classes.

Ø    SW-ABE Jackson Region can create classes tailored to fit your employees’ needs.  These classes can be delivered at your place of business.

Ø     Consider students enrolled in SW-ABE Jackson Region classes as potential employees.  Adults enrolled in this program are motivated and understand that increasing their skills is key to their successful employment.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS

Employers gain higher profits and a host of other bottom-line benefits from workplace education programs (WEPs). 

To read about employer benefits, Click Here.

For more information, read, "Turning Skills into Profit:  Economic Benefits of Workplace Education Programs," by The Conference Board, New York,
Click Here (pdf)