Investing in adult education is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and specialized training for today’s technological workplace. Unfortunately too many adults lack the necessary technical workplace skills; this is due to a major shift from low-skill jobs to more complex skilled jobs across the country. This is why investing in education is fundamental for anyone desiring to improve their professional and personal success.
In his book Winning the Global Talent Showdown [Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009], Edward Gordon reports approximately one in three U.S. workers lack the necessary job skills to meet the technological requirements of today’s workplace. He further points out this shortage of job skills is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor. They report over 60 percent of all U.S. jobs now require a two-year or four-year degree and higher or special postsecondary occupation certificates or apprenticeships.
Benefits of Education: Positive Effects of Adult Education
The benefits for a person enrolled in continuing education programs for professional and personal success, along with economic well-being are notably based on the level of education obtained. The following are some examples (Southern Education Region Board, 2005).
- Adults with a high school diploma or GED equivalent earn about 25 percent less than those with an associate’s degree and about 45 percent less than those with bachelor’s degree. Also a college graduate’s average salary is more than twice that of a high school dropout. These gaps continue to grow!
- Unemployment is four times higher among those with only a high school diploma or GED equivalent, compared with a bachelor’s degree.
- College graduates are overall healthier and more health-conscious than the population as a whole.
- Adults participating in adult education programs benefit from employment in high-skill, high-wage, high-demand occupations or professions.
The impact of not enrolling in adult education programs leads to the following drawbacks for adult workers today (Association Career and Technical Education, "The Future of Jobs and Careers," September, 2009).
- By 2020 it is estimated that the United States will lack the qualified talent to fill 12 to 24 million essential jobs. This is based on ever increasing need for completing adult continuing education programs focused on 21st century job skills.
- Advanced reading comprehension for adults dropped from 91 percent in 1992 to 72 percent in 2003. This skill is essential for learning and understanding the technical skills needed for the 21st century.
- Too many workers lack the required higher reading, math, science, and technology job skills for 21st century careers. The lack of these skills is primarily due to failing to continue education beyond high school.
- Only one in 100 adults without a high school diploma enrolls in and passes a GED program. This places the other individuals in an educational and economic hole they will not be able to escape.
- Of those who earn a GED, only about one-third enrolls in an associate or bachelor degree program. Although this is too low, it is in-line with the rest of the work force in this country.
Career and Technical Education: Adult Continuing Education is Essential
Adults must focus their additional career and technical education on science, math, and technology. This focus must also include earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Evidence is provided by the statistics from the 2010-2011 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations, half are related to health care and two of the fastest growing are in the computer specialist occupation group. Office and administrative support, education, sales, and food service are also included in this list. Of these 20 occupations, 12 (60 percent) require an associate degree or higher.
In these and other occupations, continual education and training are even more critical. One example is the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) career field. The majority of HVACR technicians receive their training in technical and trade schools or community colleges. These programs can take anywhere from 6-months to 2-years to complete.
After training, an individual must complete 144 hours of classroom instruction per year and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in the field every year for a minimum of three years. This requirement is based on the fact HVACR equipment is continuously becoming more technically complicated. HVACR continuing education is essential and ongoing throughout a technician’s career.
Investing in adult education is crucial for everyone who wants to advance in their professional or achieve personal goals. The facts presented are a wakeup call for anyone on the fence regarding enrolling in adult continuing education programs to improve their job skills to achieve professional or personal goals.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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