Workplace Education for U.S. Cities: How Urban Adult Foundational Education (AFE) Networks Can Support Incumbent Workers and Employers
Description
Over the 40 years of its existence, the Literacy Center of West Michigan has become a trusted partner in the region, collaborating with a broad variety of community institutions and organizations. In particular, the organization has led as a provider of workplace-based ESL in partnership with dozens of employers across multiple sectors since 2001. This workshop will tell the story of some of those partnerships and the way that they have made possible a sustained and significant growth of the Literacy Center’s impact. Key principles for engaging with employers will be shared in order to equip you in your own communities.
In this 90-minute session we’ll discuss (1) a brief history of workplace basic skills efforts in the U.S.; (2) how the Literacy Center of West Michigan provides basic skills supports to incumbent workers and their employers; (3) how other urban AFE networks can support similar services relevant to their communities.
Presenters
Marcus Little (Senior Director of Programming, Literacy Center of West Michigan, Grand Rapids) and Paul Jurmo (Co-Founder, Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy). David Rosen (Co-Founder, Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy) will serve as moderator.
Date and Time
Thursday, April 2 – 1:00pm-2:30pm Eastern time
