English Upskilling That Pays Off—for Workers, Employers, and Communities

Staffing shortages and skills gaps are costly. They strain your bottom line, slow growth, and limit the potential of local economies. Even as demand for talent remains high, employers and communities struggle to fill roles, retain workers, and fully engage the talent already around them.

One of the biggest—and most overlooked—drivers of these workforce challenges is language barriers. Nearly 1 in 10 working-age adults has limited English skills, yet only 2% can access instruction aligned to real job requirements. High-potential workers are sidelined from the workforce, and employers miss out on a ready talent pool.

EnGen helps employers and workforce leaders turn untapped talent into measurable ROI. By investing in English upskilling, employers can reduce turnover, lower hiring and training costs, and build a stronger, more resilient talent pipeline. Communities benefit too, as more residents connect to meaningful, sustainable employment that fuels economic growth.

ROI for Employers: Retention, Productivity, and Career Mobility

When you invest in EnGen, you see measurable results across your workforce: Every $1 you put into English instruction delivers $2 in savings from reduced turnover alone. Here’s what else you gain:

  • Improved productivity: Your employees gain confidence using English on the job, saving time and boosting efficiency. 

  • Career mobility: You create pathways for employees to build skills and advance into new roles, keeping top talent engaged.

  • Expanded talent pipelines: You unlock a valuable, untapped pool of talent, removing barriers to career growth.

    "English training through EnGen has provided Atrium Health with such an untapped, yet valuable resource of talent. At the same time, we can remove a giant barrier to career advancement.”

    - Jonathan Beni, Workforce Development Program Manager, Atrium Health

See how employers use EnGen

ROI for Local Governments: Talent Pipelines That Strengthen Economies

When you bring EnGen into your workforce programs, you see outcomes that scale across communities: Every $1 you invest can return $6 to your local economy through higher earnings and greater workforce participation.

Here’s what else you gain:

  • Stronger regional talent pipelines: You prepare job seekers for success in high-demand, future-ready industries. 

  • Economic mobility: You help workers advance in their careers and earnings, especially the 1 in 10 working-age adults with limited English skills.

  • Community-wide impact: You strengthen workforce readiness and economic growth, creating benefits that extend beyond individual employers.

“EnGen has facilitated career and educational pathways for numerous learners from diverse backgrounds across Michigan.”

- Ben Cabanaw, Deputy Director, Office of Global Michigan

See how local governments use EnGen

Flexible Access That Works for You and Your Workforce

EnGen makes English upskilling easy and accessible. Learners access on-demand digital lessons, live online workshops, or one-on-one multilingual coaching—anytime, anywhere. Your programs reach employees or job seekers wherever they are—no WiFi, email, or data plan required—via SMS, WhatsApp, landlines, or web.

You also get real-time analytics to track engagement, monitor progress, and measure outcomes, so you can see the impact of your investment in English instruction.

Whether your goal is retaining frontline workers or boosting regional talent pipelines systems, you can use English upskilling as a strategic lever. EnGen makes the return visible—for your employees, your organization, and your community.

See how EnGen can work for you

Download our full ROI methodology for employers and local communities. 

Sara McElmurry