Building Pathways to Opportunity Through Adult Experiential Learning
Across the country, working adults are navigating an increasingly complex landscape as they attempt to access credentials, build new skills, and advance in their careers. At the same time, employers are struggling to fill roles in a rapidly changing economy where communication, digital literacy, and job-specific skills are essential.
Now more than ever, the field of adult education is being asked to do more than teach and train. It must also create systems that are flexible, accessible, and aligned with real-world workforce needs.
English skills sit at the center of this challenge. Today, as 1 in 10 working-age adults in the U.S. has limited English skills, language can be a foundational barrier or an opportunity—depending on how our systems respond.
More than a communication tool, English skills are a gateway to participation, productivity, and promotions in high-demand career pathways. Our ability to build a fully-staffed, future-ready workforce depends on our ability to integrate English skills into strategies for adult learning and career mobility.
That’s why EnGen was proud to participate in CAEL’s recent national conference, joining educators, employers, policymakers, and fellow edtech partners to discuss the role that language, technology, and collaboration must play in the future of adult education. Several key insights stood out:
1. Flexibility and access are non-negotiable.
The U.S. workforce system currently serves just 2% of adult English learners. To improve access, we must reduce waitlists, simplify enrollment processes, expand digital options, and offer support services that meet learners where they are. Flexible, stackable learning pathways—especially those that integrate English skills with technical training—allow learners to engage when and how it works for them.
2. Collaboration drives relevance.
Education providers, employers, workforce programs, and technology partners must co-design training that integrates English with technical and job-specific skills. When programs are developed in isolation, learners may gain career knowledge but struggle to communicate, collaborate, or apply skills on the job. Coordinated, cross-sector approaches ensure that training equips multilingual adults with the language and professional skills that translate directly into workplace success.
3. Technology personalizes learning and expands access.
Digital tools, secure platforms, and personalized instruction models allow programs to reach more adults, particularly multilingual learners who benefit from pathways that seamlessly integrate English skills and career readiness.
4. Career alignment creates measurable impact.
Linking learning to clear career opportunities—and tracking outcomes—strengthens employer partnerships and ensures programs lead to promotions, new roles, and long-term mobility. Embedding English development into workforce programs enables learners to fully engage in their roles, follow safety protocols, and communicate effectively with colleagues and supervisors. For employers, this combination of language and technical skills produces a more capable, confident, and promotable workforce.
The takeaway from the conference was clear: Integrated, ecosystem-wide approaches to English and workforce upskilling can transform communities and employers alike. By working together, we can build adult learning systems that meet today’s needs and also prepare workers for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Learn how EnGen can empower adult learners at your organization: https://getengen.com/contact-us