“There are about 18 million American adults that have a ninth grade education and that don’t have a high school degree,” said Gerri Fiala, deputy assistant secretary of employment and training in the Department of Labor. “That is low hanging fruit. We can just reconnect them as part of that 5 million graduate goal.”
Fiala said the labor market and higher education must link occupational training with postsecondary education to streamline adult education and certify skilled workers.
“We need to think about bringing adults and nontraditional students into the mix if we are going to meet our goal,” said Ami Laitinen, a policy adviser of the Department of Education. “There are 93 million adult Americans out there who do not have the basic literacy skills to compete. The days for jobs that don’t require a high level of skill are over.”
Both departments vowed to work together to accelerate degree programs for adults and capitalize on partnerships that will enhance a student’s progression to employment.
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