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Education and Training

A lack of career readiness, disabilities, low-literacy, and other soft-skill deficiencies can be major barriers for individuals in becoming self-sufficient. Education and training programs that focus on developing marketable skills, including those that focus on industries and sectors with available jobs, represent an opportunity for individuals and families to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency. Research resources on a number of education and training programs and approaches are available on the SSRC, including resources on Adult Basic Education, apprenticeships, community colleges and post-secondary education programs, drop-out prevention and GED programs, low-literacy and ESL programs, as well as TANF-focused training programs.

View recommendations from the SSRC Librarian on Education and Training and relevant Federal laws and regulations below. 

Group of people sitting in a classroom

 

Research on the relationship between education and training and pathways to self-sufficiency for low-income individuals and families frequently discusses adult basic education, career pathways, and vocational education. Click the phrases below to view selected research and resources relevant to each topic and self-sufficiency.

SSRC Notes: Career pathways evaluations assess how to help American workers acquire in-demand skills

The demand for a highly skilled workforce continues to rise. While the unemployment rate today is low, many skilled positions remain open as American workers’ educational levels or skills don’t match business’s needs. Simply put, increasing the capacities of low-skilled workers is necessary.

 

Connecting opportunity youth to education and employment

This free Webinar explored research on assisting opportunity youth with obtaining the education, services, and work experience they need to become self-sufficient as they transition to adulthood. Opportunity youth are young people ages 16-24 who are disconnected from work or school.

 

Mutually beneficial partnerships: Lessons from two research/practice partnership projects

Drawing from the experience of two Health Profession Opportunity Grants University Partnership (HPOGUP) research projects, this Webinar shared strategies for facilitating research/program partnerships.

 

SSRC Notes: Moving from jobs to career pathways

In a 2014 report, researchers suggested that in today’s economy, a sizable skills gap exists between job seekers and available jobs. Assessing data in New York City, the authors found over 44,000 current openings in “middle-skill” jobs but about half of New Yorkers age 25 and older lacked the training or skills to fill them. Employers today struggle to find skilled workers especially in the healthcare and technology sectors.

 

SSRC Notes: Trauma-informed approaches to increase self-sufficiency as adolescents transition to adulthood

Today we hear the phrase 'trauma-informed care' frequently at government agencies, school districts, job training programs, hospitals, and among researchers. The surge is significant. In the last two decades, research has begun to show how prevalent trauma is and how those experiences, particularly in childhood, can impact long-term health and well-being.

 

SSRC Selections: Adult basic education

This set of SSRC Selections focuses on adult basic education.

 

SSRC Selections: Career pathways

This set of selections focuses on career pathways.

 

SSRC Selections: Disconnected youth and self-sufficiency

This set of selections focuses on disconnected youth and self-sufficiency.

 

SSRC Selections: Parental education and employment

This set of selections focuses on parental education and employment.

 

SSRC Selections: Transitions to adulthood

This set of selections focuses on transitions to adulthood.

 

Federal legislation and regulatory guidance provides the operational context for education and training programs for low-income individuals. Click the first link below to view legislative resources specific to education and training programs for low-income individuals. Click the second link to browse additional self-sufficiency legislation and policy in the SSRC library.

View legislative resources on Education and Training

  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
  • Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended
  • Higher Education Opportunity Act
  • Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
  • Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998
  • Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998
  • Family Support Act of 1988

Search the SSRC library for additional self-sufficiency legislation and policy

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  • Search Regulations