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.
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.
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.
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 for announcements, materials, and face-to-face event information.
The Transitions 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.
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Besides the chance to teach ELLs what the idiom “foot in the door” means, creating employer partnerships has many great benefits for your students and your ABE program, as well as the employers in your community. Read More
Many of our ABE learners currently work in or plan to enter the service sector, where foundational math, literacy and technology skills are essential for surviving and advancing in their careers. Check out the ATLAS online resource library for excellent resources to guide the “skilling up” learners need for work in health care, customer service, food service, or the hotel industry. Read More
Registration Deadline: MON. 2/24/20 This webinar is part of the Standards Integration Cohort and is for Cohort participants only. Learn More
Registration Deadline: MON. 2/17/20 Literacy Minnesota (formerly the Minnesota Literacy Council) has developed and is piloting a new training program to prepare volunteers to be navigators in Adult Basic Education programs. Navigators are a mix of mentor, coach, cheerleader and guidance counselor. As a navigator, you’ll help… Learn More
Registration Deadline: TUES. 2/25/20 In this workshop, learn about the current state of immigration, including status of refugees and asylees, policies and policy changes that may impact people from Minnesota, facts on how immigration benefits the state economy, as well as other topics. Participants will practice responding… Learn More
