Breaking down barriers: Informal, connected education and workforce services for adults in libraries

Needs

• Employability and Advancement• Basic Skills• Digital Skills• Credentials

• Digital Access

• Lifelong Learning

Adult Basic Education

Traditionally

• Course-based (schedules and curriculum)

• Requires assessments, placement, and enrollment

• Educational outcome-oriented (NRS)

• Limited funding and capacity

• Low completion rates

Trends

• Learner-centered

• Hybrid technology-enabled instruction

• Workforce integration

• Stackable credentials

• Performance-based and data-driven

Challenges

• Funding models

• Reporting requirements

• Educator skills, esp. technology

• Technology access

• Marketing and outreach

Do you agree? What would you add?

Workforce Services

Traditionally

• Unemployment intervention-focused

• Requires basic skill/education levels

• Short-term case management

Trends

• Skill gaps (STEM)

• Career pathways

• Job certification

• Web-based service delivery and tracking

Challenges

• Diverse outreach

• Under-skilled populations

• Employer engagement

• Digital literacy

Do you agree? What would you add?

Public Libraries

Traditionally

• Collections- and facilities-focused

• Anonymity and Shhhh!

• Usage/transaction-oriented

• Underutilized by marginalized populations

• Cultural institutions

Trends

• Patron-focused

• Digital access

• Maker spaces

• Learning spaces

• Community centers

• Partner collaborations

Challenges

• Staff skills and roles

• Space

• Funding

• Diverse outreach

• Data collection

Do you agree? What would you add?

ALL Access connects learners toAdult Ed, Workforce Services, and Libraries

• Whole adult-centered

• Ongoing relationships

• Flexible and open participation

• Need-based content areas

• Extensive outreach

• Builds community and capacity

• Leverages technology to engage and empower learners

Have you heard of connected learning?

Collaborations and Connections

ALL Access Development Process

• Guiding principles

• Agile program development

• Local need focused

• Leverage partners/assets

• Data-driven

Questions about how we work?

Learning Lounge

• Drop-in and Flexible

• Establish relationship

• Technology-enabled

• Teacher-facilitated and peer learning

• Make referrals to programs and services

• Lifelong learning home base

• Data

Feedback? Questions?

Exploration Station

• Assistive Technology station in the libraries

• PD for librarians, adult educators, other professionals

• Drop-in times for patrons to explore options, referrals for additional assistance

Feedback? Questions?

One-on-One Technology Help

• Individualized help

• Build confidence, empower learning

• Build relationships

• Data

Magdelena DeSousa to US Senator Jack Reed:“I worked in the financial industry for 17 years, and then to be cost effective they decided to not work in Rhode Island anymore. It is hard to have to start all over again. You get in this routine day-in and day-out. You aren’t exposed to this kind of stuff,” she said. “They have been really helpful here, even just helping me navigate through my new laptop. They are flexible, and I like that I don’t have to take a college class or make a commitment.”

Feedback? Questions?

Computer Certificates

• Proctored assessments for computer skills: web, email, Excel, Word, etc.

• Great program for outreach

Francisco Jimon, 31, received his NorthStar certifications in four modules. “Every job you go for, they ask for computer skills,” said Jimon. “I’m a chef, but still need to use the computer to keep track of inventory. This will help me a lot in the future.”

Feedback? Questions?

Jobs Clubs

Local needs and partners shape program:

• Focused on ESL

• Hospitality, retail, manufacturing

• Focused on English for work, job search, employer visits

• Open to all

• Not industry-specific

• Focused on providing support, building confidence, using online tools for job and career

Feedback? Questions?

iPad/iPhone Club

• Emerged from One-on-One Technology atCranston Public Library

• Meeting a community need, building a community of learners

• Very open-ended, high engagement, high peer learning.

Feedback? Questions?

RI Resource Hub

• Data

• Statewide effort to create learner-centered hub for education and career

• Funded by SLDS grant

• Leveraged in application for ALL Access IMLS grant

• Led by RI Adult Ed Professional Development Center

Feedback? Questions?

Challenges and Opportunities

• Sustainability: WIOA?, CDBG

• Outreach

• Scale: Staffing, hours, space

• Culture change, reimagining

• Expanded partnerships provide system-wide support to lifelong learners (continuum of learning)

• Program satellites in library

Do you agree? What would you add?

Thank You

Subscribe to the ALL Access webpage:http://allaccessri.org

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Or contact us directly: Karisa Tashjian ktashjian@provlib.org

Mary Jo Feeney - maryjofeeney@mjifconsulting.com