5 Things Instructors Wish They Had More Time and Resources for in Adult Education
By: S.O.L.V.E.D. Let’s face it, as Adult Education Instructors, we are quite busy! Students are rolling in continually and moving in and out of your classroom from post-testing. There is never enough time in the school day to get everything done, but if we had a magic wand, I believe there are 5 factors we really wish we had more time to do. Individualized Instruction We definitely know how important it is to teach students at their instructional level, which requires small-group and some individualized instruction. With adult learners, having jobs, and other outside resources, we really have no control over how long they will stay, and if they will be full-time or part-time students. All of those factors can greatly impact the time we have for individualized instruction. We know every student comes to us with different goals, and we want to meet all of their needs, but that isn’t possible in an adult education classroom. We want the time and tools to differentiate without teacher burnout. Ready to Use IET Materials We are all well aware of the federal government’s mandate for Integrated Education and Training to receive grant funding, but there is no single solution to it. We don’t have the time to create a curriculum from the ground up that encompasses an entire IET, let alone the resources, materials, and assessments that go along with it! We want to teach workforce skills, but we just need high-quality instructional materials that will not take 50 hours to create. Professional Development that is Actually Useful I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to PDs that have wasted time and energy. PD’s need to apply to current times and the educational landscape. It needs to be something I can use immediately. If I have to wait months to apply it or put in another 20 hours just for it to land, no thank you. Time to Analyze Data (not just enter it) What’s the saying we all have learned in the College of Education, “data drives instruction.” Well, what time do we have to analyze and manipulate the data? In Adult Education, we collect a multitude of data to achieve specific Measurable Skills Gains (MSGs). Do we have the time to look at test scores and drill down into each student’s needs so they can improve to the next level? Mental Bandwidth to Support Students’ Real Lives Adult learners juggle work, family, transportation, trauma, immigration processes, health challenges, and instructors often become the first line of support. They want time, resources, and partnerships to help students without carrying it all alone. Why this Matters? When instructors have the time and resources to do well, students succeed! Adult educators are out here making miracles happen! Imagine what they could do with more support!
Microcredentialing and IET: What Programs Should Know Before They Build
By: S.O.L.V.E.D. Adult learners want skills that lead to better work and better wages. Integrated Education and Training, or IET, is designed for that reality. It combines adult education, workforce preparation, and job training at the same time through one shared set of learning objectives. This structure is required under WIOA, which also requires occupationally relevant materials and simultaneous delivery. What microcredentialing really is Microcredentialing is a way to certify a specific skill through a short, focused learning experience. A high quality microcredential includes clear learning outcomes, defined workload or hours, and an assessment that proves the learner has mastered the skill. International microcredential frameworks emphasize these elements so the credential is transparent and portable. A microcredential is simple. It is proof that a learner learned something real, practiced it, and passed an evaluation that employers understand. Why microcredentials need structure inside IET IET requires sufficient instructional intensity and simultaneous delivery of adult education, workforce preparation, and occupational training. Microcredentials must match that structure. Without clear hours, outcomes, and assessments, the program cannot meet state or federal expectations. A practical timeline for quality Many states publish IET checklists, design tools, and program maps to help teams set timelines, select industries, and build shared learning objectives. A 20 week structure gives enough time to integrate foundational skills, workforce preparation, occupational training, and microcredential assessment. Always follow your own state’s IET guidance. States are also updating reporting systems, IET program numbers, and credential tracking. Defined hours and outcomes make this much easier. Recommended Microcredential Ideas for a 20 Week IET Below you will see common IET industries found in state maps and national technical assistance: Healthcare • Basic Patient Care Skills• Infection Control and Safety• Vital Signs Essentials• CPR and First Aid Hospitality and Tourism • Guest Services Professional• Food Safety Basics• Front Desk Operations• Housekeeping Quality Standards Construction and Skilled Trades • Construction Site Safety• OSHA 10 aligned safety training• Hand and Power Tools Basics• Intro to Carpentry Digital Literacy Skills • Basic Computer Operations• Email and Workplace Communication• Microsoft Office or Google Workspace Essentials• Customer Service Digital Tools Manufacturing and Logistics • Warehouse Operations Basics• Forklift Safety Theory• Intro to Quality Assurance• Production Floor Safety ESL Focused Workforce Microcredentials • Workplace English for Healthcare• Workplace English for Hospitality• Customer Service English• Professional Conversation Skills IET and Microcredential Alignment Checklist IET and Microcredential Alignment Checklist ☐ We defined the instructional hours for the microcredential and for the full IET program, following state requirements. ☐ We wrote one shared set of learning objectives that connects adult education, workforce preparation, and occupational training. ☐ We selected assessments that measure the exact skill the microcredential claims. These assessments use occupationally relevant materials. ☐ We validated the content and assessment with an employer or training partner. State IET tools provide templates for this process. ☐ We scheduled adult education, workforce preparation, and training to happen at the same time, not as separate blocks. ☐ We checked our state’s IET blueprint, maps, and planning tools to ensure alignment with approved industries and credentials. ☐ We confirmed our reporting plan using updated IET program number guidance and credential reporting requirements. Microcredentials do not replace IET. They strengthen it. A well designed microcredential gives learners a focused, employer recognized win while they build the literacy, numeracy, and workforce skills needed for long term success. A clear timeline, a clear skill, and a clear assessment make the difference.
Six Federal Partnerships: What Adult Educators Need to Know
Explore how new U.S. Department of Education partnerships may affect adult education, career pathways, and Integrated Education and Training (IET), and how your program can get ready.
IET: The Fast Track to a Career
When adult learners ask me, “How do I get a good job without spending years in school?” my answer is simple: Integrated Education and Training (IET). IET is more than a program; it’s a strategy that helps learners build basic skills and career training at the same time. No waiting. No wasted time. Just a direct path to credentials and employment. Why This Matters Now The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects major growth in jobs that require both technical skills and strong foundational skills. Here are a few examples: Wind Turbine Technicians – 50% Solar Photovoltaic Installers – 42% Nurse Practitioners – 40% Data Scientists – 34% Information Security Analysts – 29% Medical & Health Services Managers – 23% Physical Therapist Assistants – 22% Home Health Aides – 17% These roles aren’t just growing, they’re shaping the future of work. And they all require specific training PLUS literacy, math, and communication skills. That’s where IET shines. What Makes IET Different Concurrent Learning: Basic education, occupational training, and employability skills occur together. Contextualized Instruction: Math isn’t just math, e.g. it’s math in healthcare, math with manufacturing, or math using energy. Employer Alignment: Programs are designed with real labor market needs in mind. Why I’m All In on IET IET isn’t just a trend, it’s a movement. It’s about giving adult learners the tools to succeed in today’s economy without unnecessary delays. As workforce needs evolve, IET is the model that keeps education and employment connected. If you teach adult learners, you already know the challenge: balancing foundational skills with career readiness. IET makes that easier, and you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s a simple starting point: Collaborate with a CTE instructor: Pair your academic lessons with hands-on technical training. This partnership makes learning relevant and keeps students engaged. Start small: Choose one career pathway that most of your students are interested in, and integrate real-world tasks into your lessons. Focus on outcomes: Every activity should connect to a skill that matters in the job market. Ready to try IET in your classroom? Start by connecting with a CTE instructor and building one lesson together. Keep it simple, keep it relevant, and watch how much more engaged and motivated your learners become!
Quick Start Guide: Integrated Education & Training for AGE Instructors
By S.O.L.V.E.D. Integrated Education & Training (IET) was introduced with the reauthorization of WIOA in 2014. Its purpose is to combine workforce training, academic skills, and employability skills into a single, cohesive learning experience. IET is a: “Service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for educational and career advancement.”(Department of Labor, 2025) In simpler terms: all three components —workforce training, workforce preparation, and academic instruction —must occur simultaneously. When IET First Started Let’s be honest, when IET first rolled out, many of us were confused:How do we implement it?Are we supposed to teach technical certifications now?Do we need industry credentials ourselves? Over time, we realized that our role as instructors depends on the model our program or organization adopts. And once I understood how IET could work in my classroom, I saw the benefits firsthand: Where to Start as an AGE Instructor Although IET can be implemented at any level, I recommend starting with: Why? Because lower levels may struggle with occupational concepts that require more advanced language or math skills. Next, ask: Once you identify the target industry, it’s time to create a Single Set of Learning Objectives (SSLO). These objectives combine: What Can AGE Instructors Teach? If your program uses the single instructor model, you may not be responsible for hands-on technical training. But you can teach foundational concepts like: This model works well because it connects academic skills to real-world applications; it also adapts effectively to a shared or two-instructor model, where collaboration between AGE and technical instructors ensures students receive both academic and hands-on training. Example SSLO for NRS Level 3 Students (Health Science) Academic Content: RI.4.2 – Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.Occupational Content: 4.1.1 – Explain principles of infection transmission.Employability Skill: Information Use SSLO:Students will be able to determine the main idea of informational text about the principles of infection transmission and use critical thinking skills to summarize and explain how the main idea is supported by key details. As you can see, all three components are integrated to form a single learning objective. This SSLO represents what you will teach your students. You will need to create one SSLO for each occupational concept you plan to cover; while this process can be time-consuming, I have tools and resources to make it easier for you. Tools to Help You Implement IET Finding curriculum materials can also be a challenge. While online courses are helpful, many adult learners prefer printed materials, especially in correctional settings where digital access is limited. That’s why I’ve created a collection of IET workbooks designed specifically for AGE instructors. Each workbook includes: All materials have been reviewed by both AGE and CTE instructors to ensure accuracy and alignment with academic and occupational concepts. Explore these resources by visiting the “Solutions” section of my website: https://solved-llc.com Final Thoughts IET doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools and mindset, it can transform your classroom and empower your students to succeed in both education and the workforce. Let’s make it easier for us and for them!