General Information and Employer Resources

• Enter the workforce
• Retain or improve employment
• Obtain a GED
• Enroll in post-secondary education
• Learn the English language
• Understand the U.S. culture and participate in society
• Help their children with homework and achieve success in school
• Get off public assistance and earn a family-sustaining income

• Adults with disabilities
• Unemployed and employed adults
• Adults on public assistance
• Incarcerated adults

• TANF clients need a full complement of basic skills to participate successfully in training and obtain a family-sustaining job.
• The most effective preparation program is a combination of basic-skills training (including “soft” skills) and occupational training.

• American businesses lose more than $60 Billion each year in productivity due to employee basic-skill deficiencies.
• Today, many jobs require advanced skills. Successful employers hold workplace adult-education classes at their worksites to upgrade employee basic skills and English literacy.
• Public schools produce only 2% of the workforce each year. Immigrants make up a large percentage of the workforce. Adult Education helps ensure that employees acquire basic job skills and abilities.

• Children of parents who are unemployed or have not completed high school are five times more likely to drop out than children of employed parents.
• Children’s literacy levels are strongly linked to the literacy levels of their parents, especially their mothers.
• Increasing numbers of 16-18 year olds leave school and come to Adult Education – their only alternative.

• 46% of U.S. adults are functionally illiterate in dealing with the health care system.
• AMA states that individuals with low health literacy incur medical expenses that are up to four times greater than patients with adequate literacy skills. This costs the health care system Billions each year in unnecessary doctor visits and hospital stays.

• Participation in correctional education reduces re-arrests, re-convictions, and re-incarceration.

• Immigrants: 34% of NM Adult Education enrollees are non-natives, seeking to improve their English literacy and cultural understanding.
• Learning Disabled: 50% of adults without a high school diploma are learning disabled. These adults were not lazy or uncaring about school. They have average or above intelligence. The fact is that traditional teaching methods have not been successful with this population. These students have been left behind and deserve another chance.

Adult Education Results

• 1,272 previously unemployed students obtained jobs
• 1,029 students retained their jobs or earned raises/promotions
• 2,691 students passed the GED
• 1,050 students enrolled in post-secondary education

Employers should find the following links helpful:

New Mexico WIA Boards: