A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning West Michigan Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum WELCOME!

A Case for Change in Michigan

Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning

West Michigan Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum

WELCOME!WELCOME!

A Case for ChangeA Case for Changein Michiganin Michigan

Marcia Black-WatsonDeputy Director – Employers

Bureau of Workforce TransformationMichigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth

Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult LearningReframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning West Michigan

Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum



• More than 20 leaders from adult education, including community colleges, from across MI

• Meeting monthly and more frequently in small groups to discuss transformation

• Goal: set of comprehensive policy recommendations presented by mid-Sept. 2008

Adult Learning WorkgroupAdult Learning Workgroup



• Unanimous willingness to work across program boundaries, out of “silos”

• Agreement that current system is not meeting the needs of many of MI’s adults

• Willingness to work hard between meetings, making key contributions to research, sub-committees and presentations

Pleasant surprises:Pleasant surprises:



Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles1. High School Diploma or GED is the

beginning, not the end, of an adult’s educational path

2. Far-reaching changes in Michigan’s economy require far-reaching changes in its adult learning infrastructure

3. A shared vision of Michigan’s future among key stakeholders in education, business, and government is essential



* Definitions

Level 1: Below basic literacy or functionally illiterate.

Level 2: Possess basic literacy skills or able to perform simple, everyday literacy activities.

What’s the Situation?What’s the Situation?

Levels 1 & 2 Literacy = 44%

W/O HSD or GED = 17.5%



Nearly 2,000,0002,000,000

working-age adults in Michigan have earned a GED or HSD but have not entered college



1.2 million1.2 million

Michigan adults lack the skills necessary to engage in post-

secondary education



Of Michigan’s 6.4 million working age adults (18 to 64),

68.3%68.3%have not completed college

(associate’s degree or higher)



• Lifetime earnings of a person with an associates degree or higher will be at least $500,000$500,000 more than someone who stopped with high school

• Higher overall educational achievement = healthier families, thriving communities, stronger economy

Why Does This Matter?Why Does This Matter?



• 8 straight years of job loss in the manufacturing sector

• Longest stretch of job loss since the Great Depression

• More manufacturing jobs gone from MI than from any other state

• Total loss estimate for period mid-2000 through

end of 2008: 369,000369,000

Michiganders need further educationMichiganders need further educationmore than ever beforemore than ever before



• The auto industry accounts for about 70%70% of the job loss in manufacturing

• Traditional voc ed pathways target manufacturing jobs

• We have a long tradition of Michigan families assuming that HSD or GED will lead to well-paid auto job

One challenging policy area:One challenging policy area:



• Projected job growth in services sector:

50,000 50,000 during period 2006-2008

• Most new jobs are in health services, private education, business services and hospitality

There is some good news…There is some good news…



• Michigan employers have job vacancies because our workforce lacks men and women with the required skills

• Our economy will turn around, but not until we reverse the numbers: we want to see 68.3%68.3% of Michigan’s working-age adults with Associates degrees or higher

Michigan’s skills mismatch:Michigan’s skills mismatch:



• Work with high schools to create credit transfers and bridge programs into community colleges

• Expand community college programs which link remediation to career preparation

• Continue to engage employers in efforts to support workers who want to go to school

• Encourage local-level innovations which help adult learners to transition from GED to college

We need to:We need to:



Contact InformationContact Information



[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

A Case for ChangeA Case for Changein Michiganin Michigan



Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult LearningReframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning Southwest Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum

A Case for Change in Michigan Reframing & Reinvesting in Adult Learning West Michigan Michigan Regional Adult Learning Forum WELCOME!

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