The purpose of Working Together: A Guide to Business and Adult Education Partnerships is to assist businesses interested in becoming more involved in adult education and workforce development. The Guide is organized in two strands based on potential reasons for business involvement: Expanding the Employee Pipeline and Corporate Philanthropy in the Community. The Employee Pipeline section provides resources and information for businesses interested in improving the skills of their future and incumbent workforce. The Corporate Philanthropy section includes information on ways to support local adult literacy programs, encourage employee volunteerism, and contribute to adult education nationally. Users can access the entire contents from every section of the Guide. 

Expanding the Employee Pipeline: Why Businesses Should Invest in Adult Literacy

Designed to be printed and distributed, this stand-alone document describes some of the bottom-line reasons that businesses may want to become involved in adult literacy, as well as some of the benefits of doing so.  This document is especially relevant for businesses concerned with getting and keeping qualified employees.

Corporate Philanthropy in the Community: Why Businesses Should Invest in Adult Literacy

Designed to be printed and distributed, this stand-alone document describes some of the philanthropic reasons businesses may want to get involved in adult literacy, as well as some of the benefits of doing so.  This document is especially relevant for businesses seeking philanthropic involvement in their communities. 

Partnership Models

This section describes models of business-adult education partnerships, ranging from pre-employment and incumbent worker training to volunteerism and corporate giving. The models are organized into three categories: Expanding the Employee Pipeline, Corporate Philanthropy in the Community, and Making Connections through Intermediaries, and each contain examples of business-adult education collaborations and recommended tools and resources. 

Business Partnerships

This section contains descriptions of successful business-adult education collaborations. The examples are organized into three categories:  Expanding the Employee Pipeline, Corporate Philanthropy in the Community, and Making Connections Through Intermediaries.  Each example provides an overview of the partnership, lessons learned, benefits to business and adult education, and advice for other businesses. 

Partnership Resources

Located in the Workforce Issues section of the C-PAL Web site, this section contains links to tools, research, and other resources for businesses interested in becoming involved in adult literacy.