TalentFirst members are at the forefront of driving improvements in Michigan’s adult education system. As employers, they recognize the critical role that adult ed plays in ensuring a vibrant future for our state, our economy and our families.
Keeping a spotlight on this essential component of the talent system has produced results, including a much-needed state funding increase this year of $10 million for adult education.
More importantly, along with that increase came a one-time investment: a $15 million grant fund to pilot innovative approaches to better serve adult learners. TalentFirst was selected to partner with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) to develop and administer the Section 107a Adult Education Innovation Programs.
In the months leading up to the application deadline of Aug. 6, TalentFirst, LEO-WD, a team from Public Policy Associates and other experts have engaged with adult education providers and partners statewide through a series of workshops and by providing access to expert coaching. (See the workshop materials and resources here.)
This investment of time and resources was necessary because we must have successful applications to drive innovations and improvements. Just as adult education has never been more important, we have never seen an opportunity like this — and we may never again if we fail to take advantage of it.
Employers see the need
West Michigan employers have direct insight into the importance of adult education.
They know Michigan’s birth rates and in-migration are not keeping pace with an aging and retiring population. Our employers increasingly need educated and skilled workers — but they must draw from a talent pool that currently has less education and skills compared to neighboring states. And amid a shift to a knowledge-based economy, far too many adults lack even the most basic of credentials: a high school diploma.
Adult education is a significant factor in each of the five-year goals that the CEO members of TalentFirst have established to make West Michigan a national leader for talent. Just as employers recognize the importance of adult education, they also see the shortcomings of the current system.
These were documented in TalentFirst’s 2023 report, Restoring the Promise of Adult Education in Michigan. Among the findings:
- A decades-long decline in funding to the point where Michigan was investing 1 cent in adult basic education for every dollar spent on higher education
- Michigan’s adult education system meets less than 4% of the need while hundreds of thousands are sidelined from the workforce
- The 39.9% of the adult education enrollees in the 2020-21 school year who obtained a credential adds up to about 6,848 individuals – less than 1% of the population that lacks a diploma
Helping adult education providers succeed
The report found multiple complicated factors that are holding back adult education in Michigan. It also detailed short- and long-term strategies to make improvements.
Adult education providers are on the front lines of this work. It is crucial that they take advantage of this one-time funding opportunity to develop innovations that increase enrollment, retention and completion.
The good news is that these innovations do not need to be major breakthroughs. Applicants can draw on the success of innovations that were developed in other parts of the state, so long as they are new for their organization or community. Some promising examples include:
- Career navigators: Guide learners through career planning to achieve their professional goals.
- Retention specialists: Provide resources and support to ensure learners persist and complete.
- Transportation support: Provide bus passes, gas cards, or rideshare credits for learners to get to and from class.
- Computers & mobile hotspots: Provide Chromebooks and mobile hotspots to empower distance learning.
- Data management systems: Invest in a system to better manage learners, including outcomes tracking.
- Learning systems: Leverage technology to better meet students where they are.
Additionally, post-award support will be provided to successful applicants to ensure effective implementation of their pilots.
TalentFirst and our members are grateful for partnerships statewide in meeting the needs of our state’s adult learners. We look forward to seeing successful and innovative proposals to keep the momentum for improvement growing.
