Community Impact
The Need
A recent study conducted by the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) found that one in six adults in the United States has low literacy skills. That is 36 million adults. One in three has low numeracy skills. Read more about the effects of low literacy skills here.
How Adult Education Can Help
Studies show that improved reading, math, and computer skills are associated with better wages and more stable employment. Read more here.
A GED® increases earning power and job prospects and opens the doors to higher education and training programs. The job market is shrinking for those without a diploma. A recent study out of Georgetown University projects that by 2018 only 10% of jobs will be available to those without a high school credential; 63% of jobs will require some type of training or education beyond high school.
Better skills also lead to higher rates of civic involvement. A study conducted by Educational Testing Service in 2012 found that 60% of those with low academic skills feel they do have no influence on public decisions and the political process. Better skills are also correlated with increased rates of volunteerism.
English Language Learning allows immigrants to secure family-sustaining jobs and become part of the community. Immigrants who are English proficient earn between 13 to 24% more than immigrants who are not. 60% of immigrants who are eligible for citizenship but do not become citizens have limited English proficiency (2007 Urban Institute).
Educating adults helps children and families too. A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that the greatest determinant of a young child’s future academic success is the reading level of the mother.
ProLiteracy estimates that low literacy costs the US $225 billion each year due to lack of productivity in the workforce, crime, and the loss of tax revenue due to unemployment. An increase of just 1% in literacy scores leads to a 2.5% rise in labor productivity and a 1.5% rise in GDP per individual (2004 The Economist).
According to a 2005 study by the US Department of Education, 50% of the chronically unemployed are not functionally literate.
Our Core Programs
We serve over 450 participants a year across our core programs of GED® Preparation, Adult Basic Education, ESL (English as a Second Language), Nurse Aide Training, and Workforce Development. We have helped hundreds of students obtain a GED® diploma, improve their reading and math skills, acquire English language proficiency, secure employment as certified nursing assistants, develop workplace skills, enter employment, and prepare for better jobs.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Employment Skills Center is committed to creating a welcoming and equitable environment for all adults (ages 16+). ESC strictly prohibits discrimination of any kind including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, resident immigration status, or veteran status in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services under any of its programs and activities. ESC ensures accessibility to all individuals through utilization of flexible learning options offered in a variety of learning formats such as online classes, in-person classes, self-paced learning, and one-on-one tutors to accommodate different abilities and learning preferences.
ESC respectfully honors accommodation requests such as extended time, quiet rooms, test accommodations, and learning aids. ESC’s building meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and is accessible by public transit, walking, automobile, and bicycle. Targeted outreach and recruitment are conducted in partnership with local organizations that serve at-risk populations such as dislocated, unemployed and underemployed residents, citizens who are re-entering society and the workforce, and those who did not complete high school.