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February 16, 2009 - Senator Webb delivers keynote remarks at the PlugGED In adult educational program kick-off event in Lebanon, Virginia
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ShareAdult and Continuing Education Programs
The United States has approximately 25 million workers aged 18 to 64 with no high school diploma or GED. Another 52 million adults have no postsecondary education. I believe strongly that we are a nation of continuing opportunities. In that spirit, I have introduced The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009, to focus on providing second chances to those who may have interrupted their educational experiences and now wish to resume their studies. It is important that we revamp our policies and programs to effectively provide educational opportunities for such non-traditional adult students.
Our educational programs should provide valuable opportunities for adults to gain important life skills, further their education and increase their economic earning capacity. Adult education programs must take into account that adult students juggle work, family, and school responsibilities; have financial and logistical barriers, such as lack of transportation and access to childcare; and may have limited knowledge about how to navigate the education system.
Adult education would benefit from programs which encourage federal and state governments, employers, and institutions of higher education to invest in the education of working adults.
The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009 aims at reforming and increasing investment in job training, adult education and other programs needed to build a 21st century workforce.
It is critical that our nation strengthen existing programs of adult education in order to compete in the current global job market. According to the Workforce Alliance, 80% of jobs in today’s economy require some education beyond a high school degree. Yet there are eight million adults in the workforce who have low literacy, limited English proficiency, or lack educational credentials beyond high school.
One of the largest barriers to economic growth in many communities is the shortage of a skilled workforce, particularly those with entry-level skills. The U.S. labor market has changed dramatically with the advent of new technology and the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. At the same time, our adult education system, which should effectively prepare our lower-skilled workers to meet the demands of this shifting economy, has not kept pace. It is critical that we increase the number of individuals who obtain a high school diploma and postsecondary education.
The return on investment in education benefits not only the individual, but also results in less expenditures for social services such as welfare benefits and unemployment compensation, and increases tax revenue for state and local governments.
With so many workers who are unemployed or underemployed, it is clear that we should invest in the training or re-training of U.S. workers to fill this growing gap. For the past several years, Virginia has been ranked by Forbes.com and CNBC as the top state to do business – with the implementation of innovative initiatives to expand and connect education and workforce development programs. Some examples of successful programs targeting our adult population in Virginia are: the New College Institute located in Martinsville-Henry County, the PlugGED In program located in Russell County, and the Patrick County Adult Education GED program. I have had the opportunity to visit these programs and see firsthand the private and public partnerships that are providing educational opportunities for working adults.
Despite the Commonwealth’s record of excellence, there are regions of the state in need of greater investment. The Northern Virginia and Central Virginia workforces have higher than average education levels, higher incomes and better employment opportunities than those in other regions. However, in Eastern, Southside, Southwest and West Central areas of Virginia, more than 25% of individuals who are 25 years and older lack high school diplomas. Access to education in these communities is paramount to raise the quality of life and to promote economic growth.
My legislation begins the vital task of addressing these problems. It takes a two-pronged approach to strengthen our nation’s workforce. First, we want to build ‘on ramps’ for American workers who need new skills and a better education in order to improve their lives. Just as importantly, we want to encourage employers to help their employees, by offering tax credits to businesses that invest in their employees. Our government has long provided employers with limited tax credits when they help their employees go to college or graduate school. It is basic logic and in the national interest, that we provide similar incentives for fundamental adult education.
All of this is relevant to my longstanding personal goal of promoting basic economic fairness in our society. I look forward to moving this initiative forward in the Congress, and I believe our nation’s workforce and local communities will be stronger for it.
Our educational programs should provide valuable opportunities for adults to gain important life skills, further their education and increase their economic earning capacity. Adult education programs must take into account that adult students juggle work, family, and school responsibilities; have financial and logistical barriers, such as lack of transportation and access to childcare; and may have limited knowledge about how to navigate the education system.
Adult education would benefit from programs which encourage federal and state governments, employers, and institutions of higher education to invest in the education of working adults.
The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009 aims at reforming and increasing investment in job training, adult education and other programs needed to build a 21st century workforce.
It is critical that our nation strengthen existing programs of adult education in order to compete in the current global job market. According to the Workforce Alliance, 80% of jobs in today’s economy require some education beyond a high school degree. Yet there are eight million adults in the workforce who have low literacy, limited English proficiency, or lack educational credentials beyond high school.
One of the largest barriers to economic growth in many communities is the shortage of a skilled workforce, particularly those with entry-level skills. The U.S. labor market has changed dramatically with the advent of new technology and the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. At the same time, our adult education system, which should effectively prepare our lower-skilled workers to meet the demands of this shifting economy, has not kept pace. It is critical that we increase the number of individuals who obtain a high school diploma and postsecondary education.
The return on investment in education benefits not only the individual, but also results in less expenditures for social services such as welfare benefits and unemployment compensation, and increases tax revenue for state and local governments.
With so many workers who are unemployed or underemployed, it is clear that we should invest in the training or re-training of U.S. workers to fill this growing gap. For the past several years, Virginia has been ranked by Forbes.com and CNBC as the top state to do business – with the implementation of innovative initiatives to expand and connect education and workforce development programs. Some examples of successful programs targeting our adult population in Virginia are: the New College Institute located in Martinsville-Henry County, the PlugGED In program located in Russell County, and the Patrick County Adult Education GED program. I have had the opportunity to visit these programs and see firsthand the private and public partnerships that are providing educational opportunities for working adults.
Despite the Commonwealth’s record of excellence, there are regions of the state in need of greater investment. The Northern Virginia and Central Virginia workforces have higher than average education levels, higher incomes and better employment opportunities than those in other regions. However, in Eastern, Southside, Southwest and West Central areas of Virginia, more than 25% of individuals who are 25 years and older lack high school diplomas. Access to education in these communities is paramount to raise the quality of life and to promote economic growth.
My legislation begins the vital task of addressing these problems. It takes a two-pronged approach to strengthen our nation’s workforce. First, we want to build ‘on ramps’ for American workers who need new skills and a better education in order to improve their lives. Just as importantly, we want to encourage employers to help their employees, by offering tax credits to businesses that invest in their employees. Our government has long provided employers with limited tax credits when they help their employees go to college or graduate school. It is basic logic and in the national interest, that we provide similar incentives for fundamental adult education.
All of this is relevant to my longstanding personal goal of promoting basic economic fairness in our society. I look forward to moving this initiative forward in the Congress, and I believe our nation’s workforce and local communities will be stronger for it.