Colleagues,
Workplace online or blended adult basic skills education appears to be advancing in the private sector. For example, Kentucky Educational Television (KET) is partnering with the GED Testing Service in their new GEDWORKS program that provides free-to-employees GED® test preparation for large employers such as KFC, Taco Bell, Southeastern Grocers and Walmart. (Source: http://www.lanereport.com/56628/2015/11/kets-fast-forward-chosen-for-launch-of-national-gedworks-program/)
The McDonalds Corporation offers employees Archways to Opportunity, a service that includes a free Career Online High School. It also includes free education advising, opportunities to continue on to post-secondary education through the Earn a College Degree program, and free online and blended face-to-face work-contextualized English language learning (on paid work time) for selected line employees preparing for shift manager and restaurant manager positions, through their English Under the Arches program. (Source: https://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/corporate_careers/training_and_development/hamburger_university/archwaystoopportunity.html and personal knowledge as an advisor to the English Under the Arches Program)
1) Are you aware of other private sector sponsored online or blended (online integrated with face-to-face) workplace basic skills (English, basic skills, secondary and transition to higher education skills) programs for employees?
2) How are these private-sector workplace basic skills programs for low-skilled employees part of local or state Career Pathways programs in your state? Should they be?
3) How do they/should they connect with post-secondary education preparation and completion?
Your thoughts in response to these questions would be greatly appreciated.
David J. Rosen
Djrosen123@gmail.com