GARY, IND. (September 18, 2024) — According to the 2024 State of the Workforce report, only 37% of adults in Northwest Indiana have earned a high school diploma, while 33% have attained some level of higher education such as college or trade training. While both statistics have slowly increased over the last few years, the region still lags behind the rest of the state and the nation in education and workforce preparedness.
To address this dismal statistic, on September 17th, the Gary Common Council recognized National Adult Literacy and Family Literacy Week at the urging of the Center of Workforce Innovations. The proclamation was entered into record by Linda Barnes-Caldwell (5th District) of the Gary Common Council with Samantha Smith, Director of Adult Learning Centers and Lisa Daugherty, CWI President and CEO, on hand to receive the statement on behalf of the organization.
In her acceptance speech, Smith discussed the significant role that adult education plays in communities like Gary and why everyone should support the hard work and dedication of those involved in adult education programs. “This national initiative recognizes all the work that not only adult learners participate in to get their training and validation credentials,” explained Smith. “But also, the adult learning practitioners who show up daily to help these learners transition into postsecondary and career opportunities.”
This latest proclamation serves as one of the many activities planned by CWI to help promote National Adult Learning and Family Literacy Week. In addition to an additional proclamation issued by the Lake County City Council on September 17th, there will be various educational posts on social media highlighting the many ways that adult education service providers can help bridge the educational gap – from demonstrating how learners gain their High School Equivalent (HSE), showcasing programs that lead to career certification, and even sharing client success stories.
For more information about adult education service providers in Northwest Indiana, please visit nwiadultlearning.org or contact us at (866) GRAD-219 or grad219@cwicorp.com.