Put GED and workforce skills to work (literally) for your adult learners!
About the Institute
Entrepreneurship is an excellent multidisciplinary, real-world context for teaching literacy, basic skills, and HSE/GED academic subjects (English, math, social studies, science) while simultaneously developing workforce-based skills. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset (opportunity recognition, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovation, adaptability, initiative, collaboration, etc.) prepares individuals to also become better employees in any career field (intrapreneurship) and solve community problems (social entrepreneurship). Entrepreneurship also seamlessly integrates across workforce development programs and optimizes engagement by unleashing individual potential to pursue unique interests, hobbies, and passions in the new Innovation/Gig Economy. Self-employment is a real “game- changer” for disenfranchised individuals living in impoverished areas because it offers freedom, hope, and empowerment via more personally fulfilling career options while capitalizing on and affirming existing skills and talents. Important life skills are also developed (intrinsic motivation, growth mindset, resourcefulness, resiliency, calculated risk-taking, agency, etc.) by starting simple “side hustles” requiring minimal start-up costs to earn additional income that may lead to full-time careers.
Using experiential learning theory and a free field-tested curriculum, Institute participants simultaneously learn basic entrepreneurship content and instructional best-practices by reviewing classroom-ready resources (news articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, textbooks, lessons, PPT slides, test bank, etc.) and completing assignments that they can turnaround and use with their adult learners with little to no further preparation. The Institute content is extremely flexible and accessible to a variety of adult programs and easily customizable to organizational missions and target populations. Online modules are mostly self-paced and live Zoom classes feature introductions to supportive community resources, grassroots entrepreneurs who share “lessons learned,” and breakout groups for WIOA and cross-state/agency networking, collaboration, resource sharing, and planning. Practical module assignments result in a collection of co-created lessons and workforce-based activities (Part A) and a business plan first draft (Part B) to inspire creative strategies for high quality education and employment outcomes.
COABE Entrepreneurship Educator Certification, Certificate of Completion, and Digital Badge included. Participants may complete both Part A and Part B in any order for COABE Certification or just complete either Part for professional development hours.
The Institute is aligned with the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination, equipping educators with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources needed to prepare adult learners to pass the exam. Details and the free exam manual at www.pitsco.com/usece.
Introduction
Who Should Attend?
Any adult service provider who works in adult education, basic skills, HSE/GED programs, literacy, career coaching, workforce development, employment centers, social services, aging and vocational rehabilitation, benefits/work incentives, disability services, corrections, veterans affairs, American Job Centers, Goodwill Industries, United Way, immigrant services, disenfranchised youth programs (alternative education, juvenile justice, Job Corps, etc.), foster care, substance recovery programs, homelessness aide, community colleges, and other like-minded nonprofit and government organizations.
“Dr. Cheryl Ayers is a great enthusiastic instructor who shows passion for her work. Her energy motivates you to follow your dreams while engaging others to follow theirs.”
“The course opened my eyes to seeing new ways to help the adult learners in our programs; by seeing them as potential entrepreneurs, there are many other career pathways we can help them explore.”
“The content is great! The assignments, along with the book is awesome, which is a very good resource. Having a facilitator with the passion for entrepreneurship and adult education motivate students to do their best.”
“The work that went into creating, researching, and organizing this institute on the part of Dr. Ayers is astounding. I think the dual pronged approach – determining how to create entrepreneurial training for adult learners while building one’s own knowledge around starting a business or social enterprise is a great way to learn the work and be in the work at the same time. Thanks for your support to all those participants.”