Why is continuing education necessary for American workers? This is a question often asked by adults and those who feel additional education is not worth the time or expense. To answer this question, look at the workers losing their jobs in declining occupations. These adults are usually deficient in these main knowledge skills – reading, writing, and math. They are generally unable to understand and synthesize written information or possess the ability to solve complex math problems.
These recognized knowledge deficiencies many American workers possess are the focal point for – why is continuing education essential? Adults in declining occupations normally hold jobs as low-skilled clerical or production workers. This is primarily due to their weaknesses in the basic knowledge skills, which stable and growing occupations demand. This weakness is often a characteristic of 18 – 29 year old adults. These younger workers need to explore adult continuing education programs to improve their employment skills.
Personal Career Development: An Education Designed to Meet Today’s Technological World
Your personal career development depends on you and no one else. In days gone by, a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalency was the ticket to a good job and financial security. However, this is not the case today. Too often today’s high school graduates are unprepared for 21st Century careers. This is why adult continuing education is essential for developing jobs skills employers demand. Consider these two facts.
- Success in a career is no accident!
- Accomplishment begins with planning for success!
- Reading and Writing – the ability to read long, complex, abstract, cause and effect, and synthesized information making complex inferences about the information. This also includes the ability to communicate effectively in written form by summarizing and synthesizing complex information.
- Math – the ability to solve multi-step complex math problems when the arithmetic operations are not given. This also includes the ability to locate numerical information in written instructions and directions, when the math sequence is not obvious or provided.
What is the Impact of not Pursuing Additional Education?
The impact for those who choose not to pursue adult continuing education is reflected in the current high unemployment rate in the United States (U.S.). This national unemployment crisis has its roots in the shift by employers to use:
- cheaper, low-skilled workers in other countries
- machines which are more efficient in completing routine production tasks due to advances in technology, which eliminates jobs
Why is adult continuing education essential? Far too many adult workers in the U.S. are weak in their reading, writing, and math knowledge skills, which are essential for success in 21st Century careers. For those who fall into this career pitfall, the only answer is to enroll in adult continuing education programs to help resolve weaknesses you may have in these knowledge skills.
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Industry Output and Employment Projections to 2018, November 2009
American Institutes for Research, Workers in Declining Industries: Literacy’s Role in Worker Transitions, October 2010
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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