Community Impact
The Need
A study conducted by the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) found that between 2017 and 2023, overall average scores for U.S. adults decreased in literacy and numeracy. According to COABE, 43 million adults in the U.S. lack the basic skills to compete in the workforce. 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.
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. Nearly one-in-five workers in the workforce are new to the U.S.
Educating adults helps children and families too. A mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income.
ProLiteracy estimates that low literacy costs the US $300 billion each year in lost earnings, lower workplace productivity, higher crime, and more government assistance. 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).
Our Core Programs
We serve over 500 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.