Adult education prepares learners for the workforce through work skills training and preparation for postsecondary 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 ABLE-funded agencies, collaboration among workforce partners, and the integration of ABLE services into the workforce development system in Pennsylvania.

Goals

• Support the Bureau of ABLE in expanding and improving the cohesiveness and quality of key partnerships of the ABLE system with the workforce development and related systems at the state, regional, and local level.
• Support the Bureau of ABLE and its statewide system in building the capacity of practitioners to provide adult learners with high-quality instruction and guidance that leads to successful transitions to postsecondary education, training, and work.

Objectives

1. Improve the cohesiveness and quality of the Bureau of ABLE, ABLE Coalitions, and ABLE-funded providers’ workforce development relationships and services.
2. Support communication and expand coordination within and outside the ABLE system to improve understanding of key issues and enhance collaboration that will improve the delivery of adult basic and literacy education services.
3. Develop tools that will support the PDS in their work with agencies in their regions regarding professional development plans and continuous program improvement and that will assist the PDS and local providers improve instructional quality.
4. Improve and expand the capacity of the ABLE system to provide research and evidence based training and technical assistance to agencies using volunteer tutors to deliver instruction.
5. Improve and expand the capacity of PDCs to provide research and evidence based training and technical assistance to ABLE programs in their regions. 

WERC Project Team and Contact Information:

KayLynn Hamilton ABLE Workforce Development Liaison Voice: (814) 865-6472 klh267@psu.edu Contact for additional information about the ABLE Coalitions
Angelic Hardy Statewide Workforce Education Technical Assistant Voice: (814) 867-1405 anp1@psu.edu Contact for technical assistance and professional development needs
Kitty Long Staff Support Voice: (814) 865-5877 kpl1@psu.edu Contact for invoicing questions and hotel/travel questions
Wendy McDowell Program Management Assistant Voice: (814) 863-9333 wlm12@psu.edu Contact for pre-employment and incumbent worker training information
Barbara Van Horn Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy Voice: (814) 865-5876 blv1@psu.edu Contact for project administration
Suzanne Webster Workforce Education Specialist Voice: (814) 865-6604 ssw133@psu.edu Contact for technical assistance and professional development needs