New Strategies for the Education of Working Adults
Featured Panelists:
Brian Bosworth, founder and President, FutureWorks and Affiliated Scholar, Center for American Progress
Phyllis Eisen, Vice President, Manufacturing Institute and Executive Director Center for Workforce Success, National Association of Manufacturers
Dr. James Jacobs, Associate Director for Community College Operations, Community College Research Center, Director, Center for Workforce Development and Policy, Macomb Community College
Cheryl King, Director, National Commission on Adult Literacy
Thea Lee, Assistant Director, Public Policy, AFL-CIO
Moderated by:
Louis Soares, Director, Economic Mobility Program, Center for American Progress
In his new paper, “Lifelong Learning: New Strategies for the Education of Working Adults,” Bosworth proposes innovative changes to federal and state adult education systems to help
- new adult education tax incentives for individuals and firms;
- a unique workplace approach to literacy;
- and a revolution in the use of technology for adult basic education.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Program: 10:00am to 11:30am
Admission is free.
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Map & Directions
Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to
For more information, please call 202.682.1611.
Biographies
Brian Bosworth is the founder and President of FutureWorks, a solutions oriented economic development consultancy, and an Affiliated Scholar at the Center for American Progress. He has over 30 years of leadership experience in higher education and economic and workforce development as a policy-maker, practitioner, and consultant. Recently, Mr. Bosworth has targeted research and consulting around issues of post-secondary education for working adults, career credentials for occupational education, and adult basic skill development. In partnership with the National Governors’ Association, FutureWorks provided assistance to several states promoting postsecondary access and success for working adults. Mr. Bosworth’s paper: “A Demand-Side Strategy to Meet Indiana’s Workforce Basic Skills Challenge,” helped to shape the state’s adult education and workforce strategy. FutureWorks has also expanded its research and consulting with community and technical colleges throughout the U.S., especially on issues related to access and success (as measured by degree completion) for working adults. Additionally, Mr. Bosworth serves as an adviser to the Lumina Foundation for Education.
Phyllis Eisen is senior vice president of the Manufacturing Institute of the National Association of Manufacturers and executive director of the Center for Workforce Success, the education, training and research arm of the
Before establishing the CWS, Eisen lobbied for the
Before coming to the
Ms. Eisen earned her undergraduate degree in political science and education at the
Ms. Eisen serves on the Board of Directors for the
Dr. James Jacobs is the Associate Director for Community College Operations at the Community College Research Center, and the Director of the Center for Workforce Development and Policy at
Dr. Jacobs is a national expert on workforce development and community colleges. Currently, he is the Vice President for Partnerships and Collaborations for the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE), a national postsecondary organization of occupational education and workforce development specialists. For NCWE, he is one of the coordinators of the Breaking Through initiative, which links adult basic education to occupational programs at community colleges. He is on the National Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program of the United States Department of Commerce. Dr. Jacobs has conducted many specific examinations of community college programs at CCRC and for other organizations, such as the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He has also conducted major studies on the impact of new manufacturing technologies on skill requirements of firms both for the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor. He has authored several technical articles and papers in community college journals and has been a regular presenter at community college conferences and meetings. He is an editor of The Journal of Career and Technical Education.
Cheryl King serves as the Study Director for the National Commission on Adult Literacy, an independent, blue-ribbon board representing business, education, and government whose purpose is to advocate change and improve adult education and literacy services in America. Prior to working with the Commission, King held various positions in
Thea Lee is Policy Director and Chief International Economist at the AFL-CIO, where she oversees research and strategies on domestic and international economic policy. Previously, she worked as an international trade economist at the Economic Policy Institute in
Louis Soares is the Director of the Economic Mobility Program at the Center for American Progress. Louis brings more than 15 years of private, nonprofit and public sector experience. He has worked as a nonprofit director, educator, policy analyst, volunteer, and advocate across the fields of workforce, education, and economic development. A leader in workforce development and human capital issues, Louis has published articles and op-eds on workforce and innovation. Prior to joining the CAP, he served as Director of Business Development at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation where he managed