Just catching up on things and saw that the new DOL Training and Employment
Guidance Letter (TEGL) 03-20
https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=6597 tells workforce
partners to turn to their adult ed partners to get help for unemployed
workers who have technology skill gaps. The TEGL is focused on workers who
are getting services under the Trade Adjustment Act provisions. The basic
argument of the TEGL seems to be that states are sending too many people
through training and they should focus on more quickly connecting workers
to jobs. I'm not sure that argument is supported by the data they provide;
however, the technology piece elsewhere in the TEGL is interesting.

Specifically, the digital literacy piece reads as follows: "For many
trade-affected workers, the barrier to reemployment is not in their
occupational skill set but with a lack of knowledge of current technology.
Computer and technology literacy, or many other skill deficiencies, can be
addressed and overcome through adult education partners as a precursor to
reemployment or training."

On the one hand, it's great to see adult ed recognized as a key partner. On
the other hand, there aren't typically any new resources coming into the
system to support these workers. So I'd think of this primarily as an
advocacy tool to urge policymakers to understand that the workforce system
is depending on having well-resourced adult ed partners to help on this
front.

-Amanda

--
Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow
National Skills Coalition
Pronouns: she/her/hers

1250 Connecticut Ave, NW
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036

215-285-2860 (mobile)

www.nationalskillscoalition.org http://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/

[image: GuideStar Member]

Nailed it!

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 5, 2020, at 7:07 PM, Jeff Carter jcarter@literacypolicy.org wrote:

 So, just to make sure I understand this: Title II programs often  lack the resources to address workers' technology skill gaps, but if they do help learners gain these skills in spite of this, at least they won’t get credit for it.

Jeff

Jeff Carter
Cell: (202) 374-4387 | @jeffcrtr

Occasional Policy Advisor (in theory)
National Coalition for Literacy
www.national-coalition-literacy.orghttp://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/
jcarter@literacypolicy.orgmailto:jcarter@literacypolicy.org

Executive Director
Physicians for Social Responsibility
1111 14th St, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
www.psr.orghttp://www.psr.org/ | jcarter@psr.orgmailto:jcarter@psr.org

On Oct 5, 2020, at 6:00 PM, judy mortrude <judy.mortrude@gmail.commailto:judy.mortrude@gmail.com> wrote:

VERY interesting!
And, of course, adult ed actually has no way to take credit for increasing digital skills (except in IET) while WIOA title I does...

On Mon, Oct 5, 2020 at 3:48 PM Amanda Bergson-Shilcock <amandabs@nationalskillscoalition.orgmailto:amandabs@nationalskillscoalition.org> wrote:
Just catching up on things and saw that the new DOL Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 03-20https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=6597 tells workforce partners to turn to their adult ed partners to get help for unemployed workers who have technology skill gaps. The TEGL is focused on workers who are getting services under the Trade Adjustment Act provisions. The basic argument of the TEGL seems to be that states are sending too many people through training and they should focus on more quickly connecting workers to jobs. I'm not sure that argument is supported by the data they provide; however, the technology piece elsewhere in the TEGL is interesting.

Specifically, the digital literacy piece reads as follows: "For many trade-affected workers, the barrier to reemployment is not in their occupational skill set but with a lack of knowledge of current technology. Computer and technology literacy, or many other skill deficiencies, can be addressed and overcome through adult education partners as a precursor to reemployment or training."

On the one hand, it's great to see adult ed recognized as a key partner. On the other hand, there aren't typically any new resources coming into the system to support these workers. So I'd think of this primarily as an advocacy tool to urge policymakers to understand that the workforce system is depending on having well-resourced adult ed partners to help on this front.

-Amanda

--
Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow
National Skills Coalition
Pronouns: she/her/hers
1250 Connecticut Ave, NW
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
215-285-2860 (mobile)
www.nationalskillscoalition.orghttp://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/
[GuideStar Member]

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