Adult Career Pathways

Preparing learners for family-sustaining work is a big part of adult education! We teach transitions or “soft” skills, digital literacy, and of course basic skills such as reading, writing, math and language. All of these key skills are defined in our content standards documents, and they are further detailed in our CCR Standards and the ACES resource libraries. In addition, in ABE programs throughout the state, these skills are often embedded in a specific career pathway, building students’ skills while preparing them for specific career advancement at the same time.

To address the many challenges in designing, implementing and sustaining effective adult career pathway (ACP) programs and partnerships, ATLAS provides professional development and resources for ABE managers and practitioners who are developing or strengthening career pathways for their students.

Adult Career Pathways Resource Library

The cornerstone of our ACP offerings is the ACP resource library, providing over 50 (and growing!) vetted ACP curricula as well as a multitude of ACP program development tools. If you are teaching students in preparation for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, etc. – don’t recreate the wheel!  You can start with an ACP curriculum from this collection and tweak for your context.

Additional Opportunities

Professional development activities for Adult Career Pathways includes webinars and workshops at regional and statewide events on a variety of topics. Keep up with all things ACP-related by joining the ACP Networking group; details are below.

Webinar Series

Adult Career Pathways Webinar Series

Based on input from the Adult Career Pathways Advisory Team, ATLAS offers a webinar series throughout the year to promote and support Adult Career Pathways (ACP) and Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Minnesota Adult Ed. Topics vary and are determined by the Advisory Team.

Online Groups

Adult Career Pathways Online Group

This online networking community of practice was established to connect administrators and instructors working on adult career pathways, and it serves as a forum for discussion among those working with ACPs statewide, as well as a hub announcements, resources, and webinar and in-person event information.

Advisory Teams

ACP PD Advisory Team

The ACP Professional Development (PD) Advisory Team is an ATLAS-sponsored team designed to strengthen Adult Career Pathways (ACP) work in Minnesota ABE through relevant, meaningful, and effective professional development for ABE teachers and managers.

The Team is responsible for visioning and implementing a long-term strategic plan for Adult Career Pathways PD in Minnesota, as well as specific tasks yearly to support current and forthcoming PD efforts such as offerings around establishing partnerships with local colleges and employers, reaching out to Local Workforce Development Boards, and recruiting ACP students.

New Adult Career Pathways Resources

Examples of SSLOs (Single Sets of Learning Objectives)

The following samples of current IET (Integrated Education & Training) SSLOs are provided as examples for creating new SSLOs. Consider how these sample SSLOs integrate the 3 components of an IET: workforce training, adult education skills and workplace preparation.

CareerForceMN Tools and Resources for ABE Professionals

This document covers important resources for ABE professionals contained on CareerForceMN.com, our state’s career resource site.

Differing Types of Workplace Credentials

This 10-minute video from WorkCred.org breaks down the differences among credentials, certification, certificates, and licenses. There is also a handout from WorkCred.org that breaks down credentials, certification, certificates, and licenses, including how they are awarded, what they indicate, and several examples.
Adult Career Pathways

Adult Career Pathways Resource Library »

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Latest Adult Career Pathways Articles

EdReady Personalizes and Improves Students’ Math and English Mastery

EdReady, a free tool available to Minnesota adult educators, personalizes and improves students' math and English mastery. Find out more, and join us for an EdReady webinar on May 11, 1:30-2:30 CST to learn more about the student experience and understand the details in the reports.  Read More

Our Journey to Integrated Education and Training (IET)

The MN Department of Corrections has a long history of providing adult basic education and career technical education to individuals who are incarcerated; thousands of men and women have graduated from our programs. Looking back on 35 years of education programming, we see the overall successes of our students as fuel enough to keep the development and implementation of new Integrated Education & Training (IET) programs moving forward. Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

June 14, 2023 2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching Online: Support and Idea Swap

Online

Registration Deadline: TUE. 6/13/23 Teaching Online: Support and Idea Swap session. Looking for new ideas , excited about a new project or need a little advice with something you are already working with? Attend the  Teaching Online: Support and Idea Swap. Come prepared to share, ask, and advise. Learn More

Online
June 16, 2023 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States

Phonics in Adult ESL: Recommendations, Activities and Resources

Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States

Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/16/23 Phonics–the knowledge of the sounds letters make when they are combined to make words–is essential to beginning literacy and beginning level English language instruction. But, many teachers and tutors lack the knowledge, confidence and resources to teach the topic. Attend this session to learn… Learn More

Literacy Minnesota – main office
700 Raymond Ave., Ste. 180
Saint Paul, MN 55114 United States
June 16, 2023 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching Reading Vocabulary Remotely or In Person

Online

Registration Deadline: FRI. 6/16/23 Vocabulary is everyone’s favorite reading component! And helping students master reading vocabulary is a key to helping them master comprehension. But how many words should you teach? And which words are the most important? What strategies are best for helping students learn new words?… Learn More

Online