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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Explore resources and crucial information for supporting ABE English language learners to pursue work as language interpreters as a career or as a service in their community. What are the requirements for interpreter training and certification? How can ABE involved in an interpreter pathway program? What are the career opportunities? Read More
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
Registration Deadline: THU. 5/28/20 Got questions about ACPs and IETs? Trying to draft a single set of learning objectives (SSLO) for your adult education + occupational training partnerships? This webinar is for you! Amy Dalsimer, a national leader in adult career pathway work, is… Learn More
Registration Deadline: FRI. 5/29/20 Join Patsy Egan, Andrea Echelberger, and special guests as they tackle the question that’s on the mind of Beginning Level ESL teachers everywhere: How do I do this? We all know that working with learners with limited English can be challenging inside of a… Learn More
Registration Deadline: TUES. 6/2/20 It can be challenging to make yourself understood over the phone, even for native English speakers! In this webinar, learn about three different pronunciation features that can be taught and practiced during virtual video instruction. Participants will learn how the three features impact… Learn More
