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.
5 Trends in Adult Education
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!
Digital Literacy for Adult Learners
At S.O.L.V.E.D., we believe digital literacy is the foundation for success in today’s workforce. It is more than knowing how to use a computer. Digital literacy means being able to find information, communicate, solve problems, and stay safe online. For adult learners, these skills are essential because so many everyday tasks now happen digitally: job applications, school and college forms, banking, health portals, and staying connected with family and community. With the rise of artificial intelligence, digital literacy is more important than ever. AI tools are changing how we work, learn, and interact online. Adults who understand technology can take advantage of these tools instead of feeling left behind. Strong digital skills help learners evaluate information, protect their privacy, and use technology to improve their lives. When adults build these skills, they gain more control over education and employment. Digital literacy opens doors to opportunity. How Programs Can Support Digital Literacy Many adult education programs use a Digital Literacy Curriculum Guide to match learners with the right starting point. These guides consider assessment scores, comfort with technology, and access to devices. The goal is to make technology a tool for learning, not a source of frustration. Instructors can use these guides to: Identify learner needs Choose tools that fit each learner Provide structured practice with real-world tasks View the Training Guide:Click here to access the Digital Literacy Training Guide Free Digital Literacy Resources GCFGlobal (GCF LearnFree)https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/Offers short lessons on computer basics, the internet, email, and software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Learners can work at their own pace and build confidence with everyday tasks. DigitalLearnhttps://www.digitallearn.org/attachments/3771Provides simple modules created by public libraries. Topics include using a mouse and keyboard, searching online, creating an email account, and preparing for online job applications. Northstar Digital Literacyhttps://www.digitalliteracyassessment.orgOffers quick assessments to show what learners know and what they need to practice. Programs can use scores to place learners in the right classes and provide certificates for employers. Google Applied Digital Skillshttps://edu.exceedlms.com/student/catalog/list?category_ids=10934-applied-digital-skillsUses video-based projects to teach tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides through real-life tasks such as creating resumes and tracking budgets. DART Digital Literacy and ESL Curriculumhttps://tcall.tamu.edu/dart-DL-ESL-Curriculum.htmlDesigned for adults building English and digital skills together. Activities connect to real situations from work, family, and community life. S.O.L.V.E.D.: Where Education Meets Workforce Readiness