Rio Salado College (RSC) Adult Education kicked off National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week earlier this month at the Arizona Adult Education Institute, where the department received state-level recognition for Excellence in Delivering Career Training to adult education students. Adult Education and Family Literacy Week was held Sept. 16-20.
Rio Salado College’s Adult Education has developed a groundbreaking collaborative career training model with the Maricopa Community Colleges aimed at upskilling adult education students. The innovative approach behind the successful career training model supports underprepared learners, helping students earn a high school equivalency diploma through the GED® test or other pathways or improve their English language skills while simultaneously gaining 21st-century employability skills and training for in-demand careers.
- According to a report out of Georgetown University, by 2031 72% of all U.S. jobs will require postsecondary education or training and 42 percent will require at least a bachelor’s degree.
- The same report shows that the number of middle-skilled workers— those with an associate degree, certificate, test-based certification, or some college without a credential— has more than doubled from 13% of the workforce in 1983 to 31% in 2021, the most recent data available. This demonstrates the evolving demands of the job market for postsecondary education and training.
"Rio Salado Adult Education builds local and national partnerships to create a more educated workforce, elevating one family at a time toward economic and social mobility,” said Elizabeth Cole, Director of Outreach and Partnerships and Community Development.
As a core partner in the Arizona workforce system, Rio Salado Adult Education connects learners to in-demand career training and living wage employment. Rio Salado College has provided award-winning adult education services on behalf of the Maricopa Community Colleges since 1978 and is Arizona’s largest provider. Rio partners with the Stada Educational Foundation, CAEL, Arizona Career Pathways, ARIZONA@WORK, Center for the Future of Arizona, Junior Achievement of Arizona, Pipeline AZ, Year Up United, other community organizations, and employers to create flexible pathways to college and careers.
Cole emphasized, “To fill a critical gap in the local workforce ecosystem, Rio leverages support from our partners to allow noncredit adult education students to access and excel in college-level career training programs, thereby contributing to Arizona’s workforce and economic development.”
Each year, Congress recognizes one week as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week to increase public awareness of the vital role that adult education and family literacy play in our nation’s well-being.
As Adult Education and Family Literacy Week comes to a close, Rio celebrates and pays homage to their staff, instructors, and community partners who are the backbone of the Adult Education program.
Rio Salado College Adult Education
Each year, Rio's adult education classes help thousands of people like you positively affect their lives. Your goals matter, and we can help you:
- Earn your high school equivalency diploma through the GED® test or other pathways
- Improve your English language skills
- Gain essential employability skills
- Train for an exciting career
- Transition to college
Our dedicated instructors, success coaches, college and career navigators, tutors, and staff have helped students reach their individual learning goals, prepare for in-demand careers, and successfully prepare for and transition to college. Click to learn more or register today!
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education is the premier national professional association of adult educators. Over 79,000 members strong, COABE’s mission is to inspire educators so that adults succeed and communities thrive. Website: www.coabe.org.