On the job learning
Metro North ABE ’ s ( Adult Basic Education ) vision is to provide programs that effectively develop the skills needed by individuals to achieve their goals . Over the last year and a half , this has meant reaching out to learners while they are at home , work , in their cars , or anywhere we could connect with them . Not only did our learners ’ places of learning change , but the skills they needed also changed during the pandemic . As essential workers , many were required to adjust how they performed their jobs , including working with new technologies to provide services our community depends on . To support learners during this change , we expanded our workplace learning programming . Workplace learning is a partnership between companies and Metro North ABE , offering effective training programs that can meet new workforce needs . Applying our expertise in education increases current employees ’ workplace skills , saving companies money and time .
Adult Basic Education Workplace Learning happens when community partners come together to coordinate work schedules and increase academic or workplace skills . Metro North ABE provides instruction at learners ’ places of work during their shifts , strengthening the workforce ’ s specific skills to meet the needs of greater communication skills , higher math comprehension , and increased technological capabilities .
Ecumen , a leading advocate for older adults across four states , reached out to Metro North ABE to help implement a Workplace Reading and Technology Skills grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services . Metro North ABE created a curriculum that addressed digital literacy , reading , and job skills specific to learners ’ work at Ecumen . Ecumen provided a place to hold classes in learners ’ work schedules and encouraged employees to participate .
Learners met in a conference room at the Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center , twice a week for over 16 weeks . Led by Tatyana De La Riva-Blinova , a licensed teacher who has been teaching with Metro North ABE for the past five years , the class engaged Ecumen Registered Nursing Assistants and House Maintenance staff in learning exercises that directly related to their roles in the organization .
“ I think it was really great , different from a regular class ,” Tatyana said . “ I was really able to target learners ’ application of the skills I was teaching . Instead of trying to teach to a scenario in a textbook , I could say , ‘ you can use the mouse and keypad like this when you need to enter your time in the computer after assisting a client like I saw you do before class .”
The class motivated learners to learn more , picking up technology skills they never thought they would learn . Learners had increased confidence in using technology on the job and increased their vocabulary to gain greater facility in communicating with clients .
“ It was exciting to see so much progress ,” Tatyana said , “ learners went from never using a computer before to leaving class saying they can ’ t wait to get home and explore the internet .”
The skills learners gained while enrolled created more engaged workers , but , more importantly , it provided learners the skills they need to reach their goals .
Metro North ABE ’ s leadership
As we begin the new year , Metro North ABE will continue to strive to fulfill its mission with a new manager . We are very excited to announce that Molly Liberto will fill the role of Community Education Manager in the new year as Theresa Zingery will move into a semi-retirement .
Molly comes to the management position with a wealth of skills , experiences and personal qualities that make her an outstanding choice to help continue the proud consortium tradition of excellence in serving students and continue the advances we have started during the challenges of COVID . While Theresa will be leaving Metro North ABE , she is not leaving the field of Adult Education . To find out more about Molly and learn what Theresa will do , find the full article at bit . ly / MetroNew
The transition between Theresa and Molly will be a smooth and gradual one that will leave the Metro North ABE Consortium poised for even more innovative services for our students and the business and nonprofit communities across our eight school districts .
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