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:
- Students became more engaged
- It motivated them
- It improved retention
- They saw how academics applied to the real world
- It helped them transition into career pathways
Where to Start as an AGE Instructor
Although IET can be implemented at any level, I recommend starting with:
- ESL Levels 5 and 6
- ABE Levels 3 and 4
Why? Because lower levels may struggle with occupational concepts that require more advanced language or math skills.
Next, ask:
- What industries interest your students?
- Are they drawn to Health Science, Information Technology, Manufacturing, etc.?
- What are the high-demand careers in your region?
Once you identify the target industry, it’s time to create a Single Set of Learning Objectives (SSLO). These objectives combine:
- Academic content (e.g., College and Career Readiness Standards)
- Occupational content (e.g., National Health Science Standards)
- Employability skills (e.g., Career and Technical Education Employability Competencies)
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:
- Vocabulary
- Reading technical texts
- Equations and formulas
- Summarizing and comparing
- Critical thinking and analysis
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:
- Pre-built SSLOs
- Curriculum aligned to industry standards
- Project-Based Learning activities at the end of each unit to give students voice and choice.
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!
