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

Community Interpreter Credential

Resources related to Community Interpreter have been collected by an ATLAS Credential Specialist experienced in this field. The PDF includes information on the credential including testing, ABE and non-ABE providers that offer training, curriculum links, potential participants, Minnesota wage and outlook information and additional certifications on this career pathway.

Certified Nursing Assistant Credential

Resources related to Certified Nursing Assistant have been collected by an ATLAS Credential Specialist experienced in this field. The PDF includes information on the credential including testing, ABE and non-ABE providers that offer training, curriculum links, potential participants, Minnesota wage and outlook information and additional certifications on this career pathway.

Food Protection Manager Credential

Resources related to Food Protection Manager have been collected by an ATLAS Credential Specialist experienced in this field. The PDF includes information on the credential including testing, ABE and non-ABE providers that offer training, curriculum links, potential participants, Minnesota wage and outlook information and additional certifications on this career pathway.
Adult Career Pathways

Adult Career Pathways Resource Library »

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Latest Adult Career Pathways Articles

Unlocking Safe Food Handling: Navigating Minnesota’s Certified Food Protection Manager Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) oversees the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) program, setting rigorous standards to uphold food safety. Aspiring CFPMs must complete an accredited training course and pass an approved certification exam to earn the credential. Read more about this potential credential for your ACP. Read More

Nursing Assistant Certification

Are your Adult Education students interested in working in the Health Care Field? There is always a need for Nursing Assistants and it is a great opportunity to be working in the field. The Health Care career ladder has so many choices for individuals with diverse backgrounds to continue to grow all while helping people and feeling good about what they do! Read More

Upcoming ABE Events

April 29, 2024 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Teaching Intermediate Alphabetics

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 4/29/24 Teaching intermediate alphabetics (syllables, prefixes, suffixes, root words) is a great way to help students build their decoding and comprehension skills. Come learn a variety of fun and easy-to-use routines and activities for helping intermediate-level readers develop these important tools. Learn More

Online
April 30, 2024 9:00 am–10:30 am
SiD Support
Online

SiD 23-24 End of Year Data Cleanup webinar

Online

Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/30/24 It’s time once again to tidy up your data in SID! Mark your calendar for our annual webinar that helps you get ready for upcoming state and federal ABE reporting. It will be here before you know it! Topics include: Reporting deadlines Clean up… Learn More

Online
April 30, 2024 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

How to Work Effectively with Muslims – Presented by CAIR-MN

Online

Registration Deadline: TUE. 4/30/24 Join Jaylani Hussein of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) MN for a proactive diversity training that bridges the gap of misunderstanding and provides resources to employers, attorneys, community leaders and educators. This single diversity training will cover three different sections. 1. First, the presentation… Learn More

Online