Strategies for Career Advancement & Economic Opportunity​

Many working Americans have low foundational skills that keep them from thriving in the workplace and attaining their educational and career goals (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2013), as employers increasingly need workers who can think critically, solve problems, and perform complex tasks (Executive Office of the President, 2009; Carnevale & Strohl, 2010). Since two-thirds of the labor force in 2020 will consist of people who are already over the age of 18 today, economic growth depends on the development of adults as well as young people.

Career pathway programs deliver the foundational and occupational skills that local employers value, and the supports that people need to access and succeed in opportunities for education and career advancement.

The NCTN guides the design and implementation of career pathway programs that prepare adults to enter and advance in occupations that provide a living wage. We provide tools and resources and facilitate essential partnerships across adult education, workforce development, postsecondary education, and business and industry to ensure that the pathways align with local employment opportunities.  

PROMISING PRACTICES
PROMISING PRACTICES
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Resources

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PUBLICATIONS
The NCTN partners with adult education, workforce and community organizations, and college systems from across the country to incubate and pilot innovations in policy, and to provide technical assistance and professional development. Tools, reports and resources developed through this work are designed to be customizable and to be shared widely.

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ONLINE COURSES
We offer high-quality transition-related courses through World Education E-Learning PD, an online professional development portal offered by World Education.

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WEBINARS
This interactive webinar series focuses on changes occurring in adult education that bode well for science teaching and learning, especially inclusion of science as a content area for rigorous English and mathematics college and career readiness instruction and high school equivalency tests.