Adult education prepares learners for the workforce through work skills training and preparation for post-secondary education. Adult Basic Education is part of the Workforce Development System. In Pennsylvania, programs that receive funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide adult basic education services are considered partners in the system and are expected to participate in regional coalitions of PDE-funded adult basic education providers for the purpose of integrating services. Specifics of the expectations of PDE funded adult basic education providers and their coalitions can be found in Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education Policy G.100.
The Workforce Education Research Center (WERC) supports the integration of workforce education in ABLE-funded agencies by providing technical assistance and professional development to state staff, ABLE-funded agencies, workforce coalitions, and professional developers. WERC supports PA WIN agencies, supports collaboration among workforce partners, and assists the integration of ABLE services into the workforce development system in Pennsylvania.
Goals
- Improve the cohesiveness and quality of the Bureau's workforce development initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with the Bureau of ABLE to provide professional development opportunities that build the system's capacity to address WIA, Title II performance goals, and function effectively as a partner in PA's workforce development system.
Objectives
- Develop research- and evidence-based professional development tools that ABLE agencies and PDCs will use to support the integration of workforce education for ABLE-funded agencies.
- Provide professional development and technical assistance and support to Bureau, PDC staff, ABLE agencies, and workforce coalitions to address adult leaner work-based educational needs.
- Communicate and disseminate to ABLE-funded agencies, workforce partners, and the public, current research, research-based resources, and workforce development system activities.
- Support ABLE-funded agencies' PA WIN training plans and partner grants to develop and maintain relationships between agencies and employers.
- Conduct activities to guide improvements to professional development, technical assistance, and program services to meet adult learners' educational and workforce needs.
WERC Project Team and Contact Information:
KayLynn Hamilton
Project Director
Voice: (814) 865-6472
klh267@psu.edu
Contact for additional information about the WERC and ABLE Coalition issues |
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Angelic Hardy
Workforce Education Training Specialist
Voice: (814) 867-1405
anp1@psu.edu
Contact for technical assistance and professional development needs |
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Kitty Long
Staff Support
Voice: (814) 865-5877
kpl1@psu.edu
Contact for invoicing questions, cost sharing, hotel/travel questions |
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Wendy McDowell
Program Management Assistant
Voice: (814) 863-9333
wlm12@psu.edu
Contact for PA WIN information |
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Barbara Van Horn
Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy
Voice: (814) 865-5876
blv1@psu.edu
Contact for ABLE Coalition information |
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Suzanne Webster
Workforce Education Specialist
Voice: (814) 865-6604
ssw133@psu.edu
Contact for technical assistance and professional development needs |
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