Seattle Selected for Competitive Nationwide Education Pilot
Linking Local Workforce Systems & Community Colleges for Adult Learner Success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 21, 2017
Seattle, Wash. – The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has selected partnerships of community colleges and workforce development boards in Philadelphia, Miami, Norfolk, and Seattle for a pilot project designed to link workforce systems and community colleges through Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) for adult learner success.
The local Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County in partnership with South Seattle College were the only west coast entity selected of the four pilot locations.
The method of employing PLAs in education has been highlighted by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration as an effective strategy for increasing postsecondary credential attainment. PLA enables non-traditional learners, a population that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) projects could encompass more than 30 percent of enrolled students, to complete training and degree programs sooner by awarding them college credit based on the college-level knowledge, skills and abilities they’ve gained outside of the classroom.
Seattle instance of this CAEL project, funded by a grant from the ECMC Foundation, will build on the resources of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County and South Seattle College’s resources for adult learner populations with barriers to employment and will help increase the adult learner pipeline into postsecondary credential attainment. The program will also leverage adult learner-focused strategies to support college credential completion.
“It is an honor to receive this award, working in partnership with South Seattle College to pilot this nationwide movement. Through this innovative approach, we will be able to skill up our workforce to meet the increasing demands of our globalized economy,” says Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County CEO Marléna Sessions. “In a place like Seattle-King County where industries are booming and in need of talent, we are committed to working tirelessly so that all individuals and families can participate in the opportunities and successes created by such great innovation and its increasing demands.”
“Through partnerships with industry and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, our college is committed to innovative solutions that connect Washingtonians with family-supporting careers,” said South Seattle College President Gary Oertli. “CAEL’s grant support will allow us to further implement a Prior Learning Assessment model, giving workers credit for expertise gained outside the classroom so they can earn credentials and increase their earning power.”
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The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County is a workforce grant-making organization that oversees employment-related programs for youth, the adult workforce and employers in King County, with the goal of a strong economy and self-sufficiency for every resident. The Workforce Development Council provides the region with talent pipeline studies, research and partnerships to aid in connecting talent with employers that need it most. Learn more: via www.seakingwdc.org or by calling (206) 448-0474.
Media Contact
Hannah Mello, Communications Program Manager
Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
hmello@seakingwdc.org | 206-448-0474 x 3014
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South Seattle College serves a multicultural population of around 15,000 students each year on campuses in West Seattle and Georgetown. South’s mission is to provide an affordable, quality education that creates a fast track to good paying jobs, the option to transfer to a four-year university or college at great value, the opportunity to develop basic skills, and the chance to enrich your life – personally and professionally.
Media Contact
Ty Swenson, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications
South Seattle College
ty.swenson@seattlecolleges.edu | 206-934-6873
Founded in 1974, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a Chicago-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that assists adults with their educational career development endeavors. CAEL works with the public sector, private sector industries and higher education institutions to ensure that adult students receive the most efficient training and education to occupy a meaningful professional place in a 21st century economy. More information is available at www.cael.org.
Media Contact
Fritz Schneider| 301-728-4811
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)