adult education-1OVERVIEW

Education level often determines an adult’s ability to move into a sustainable career pathway, obtain a job that pays a living wage, and progress toward long-term financial stability. An adult’s earnings can increase by more than $700,000 over a lifetime by attaining at least a high school equivalency diploma28 and even more with the addition of some postsecondary training.

Increasing opportunities for adults to gain fundamental employment-ready skills and industry-recognized credentials can expand the skilled workforce central Iowa employers need and, ultimately, grow our economy. Our community must build an infrastructure so that more adults can access and receive supportive services and navigate their way to meaningful employment.

 

OBJECTIVES

When people are asked about their hopes for the future, they often answer, “good jobs for myself and my children.” This work group will focus on the intersection and gaps between employer needs and job seekers’ skills and experiences. It’s important that employers don’t have unfilled jobs and anyone who wants a job can have one that builds on the strength of their skills and offers purpose. Working across sectors, we’ll collaborate to help every central Iowan reach their potential.

 

FIRST-PHASE GOALS

RESULTS

1. Support an initiative to increase the number of central Iowans working towards their high school equivalency diploma.
  • Launched the Bridges to Success initiative with an aggressive goal to help 10,000 central Iowans achieve a high school equivalency diploma by 2020 by designing and implementing an evidence-based diploma preparation program.
  • Awarded more than 1,500 high school equivalency diplomas in two years.

2. Advocate for legislation to expand alternative pathways.
  • Advocated successfully for the passage of HF473, expanding alternative pathways for Iowans to achieve high school equivalency diplomas.

3. Seek grant to support training initiatives in central Iowa.
  • Secured $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to launch Central Iowa HealthWorks, to train more than 400 central Iowans in high-demand health care careers over the next four years.

4. Increase the number of central Iowans pursuing postsecondary education.
  • Increased the number of individuals pursuing postsecondary education:
    • 2,293 more people attained some college and/or associate degree in one year.
    • 2,739 more people attained a bachelor’s degree or higher in one year.

 

SECOND-PHASE GOALS

RESULTS

1. Increase the percentage of central Iowa adults who have high-quality degrees, certificates, and other credentials to 75% by 2025, with educational outcomes aligning to workforce needs (Capital Crossroads – Human Capital/EDGE Plan).
  • Increase the number of new rental homes affordable to households making less than 30% Area Median Income by directing a larger portion of affordable housing resources to creating these units.
  • Advocate for mandatory inclusionary housing policies in cities throughout Polk County.

2. Address advocacy issues to improve opportunities for adults to get the education and training needed for employment and career pathways.
  • Support the Iowa Skills2Compete Coalition recommendations.
  • Repealed automatic driver’s license suspension for non-driving drug offenders.
  • Advance state engagement with the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training program (SNAP E&T).