National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 is April 26 – May 2. During this week, local areas can find ways to recognize the incredible impact of Registered Apprenticeship programs. This is a great time to share information with adult learners about how apprenticeships can open doors and build careers. The Workforce Development System Liaison Project has pulled together some resources that may be helpful to adult education practitioners and adult learners. Please reach out to Loretta (lml160@psu.edu) for additional support or assistance with connecting with the Apprenticeship and Training Office representatives.

• Share the PA CareerLink's® Job Seeker Quick Guide and apprenticeship webpage with learners.
• Connect job seekers to apprenticeship job seeker liaisons through the PA CareerLink®.
• Have learners participate in Apprenticeship Advantage Workshops.
• Explore the PA Department of Labor and Industry's National Apprenticeship Week Toolkit.

Webinar: Engaging Families in Math Through Storybooks

On Thursday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m., the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) will present a webinar, "Engaging Families in Math Through Storybooks." Participants will explore how the Family Math Core Competencies of Reflect, Connect, Collaborate, and Lead can guide them in presenting mathematical ideas through the stories that families already read to their children. This webinar will give practical, useful strategies for introducing and exploring math through shared reading time.

Upcoming Professional Learning for Adult Education and Family Literacy Staff

Staff at PDE-funded adult education and family literacy agencies can view a list of upcoming courses now available for enrollment in the PD Portal. For more information about any of these courses, please visit the PD Portal, open the course catalog, and view the syllabus. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please consult with your in-house professional development specialist (IHPDS) to determine if the course meets your professional learning goals.

Providing Labor Market Information to Adult Learners to Inform Career Planning

Labor market information (LMI) was recently discussed at a Workforce Wednesday networking session. Administrators noted how overwhelming LMI can be and how there are currently no dependable AI solutions to help pull LMI together. The Workforce Development System Liaison (WDSL) Project staff are ready to support administrators, student support coordinators, and instructors with accessing and using LMI resources to help adult learners create realistic and achievable career plans. The WDSL and Integrated Education and Training (IET) projects can provide customized technical assistance to adult education practitioners in using LMI with adult learners and using LMI to connect adult education programs with Integrated Education and Training and other accelerated learning options. Whether you need staff to come in person to do activities with learners that incorporate LMI or have specific LMI information you would like us to gather for you, please reach out to Chrissie Klinger (cok5111@psu.edu). There is also a flyer with a collection of LMI resources.

Postsecondary Transitions and Financial Aid Resources

• PHEAA YouTube Channel - This YouTube channel has great videos to help people better understand both federal and state financial aid options.
• FAFSA website - This is where learners can access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and watch videos and explore the help center to better understand federal student aid.
• Individual Training Accounts through Title I - Work with your local Title I partners to better understand the requirements in your local area for learners to access funding for postsecondary education and training.
• Inspiring Career Development and Action: A Curriculum Guide for Adult Educators - Inspiring Career Development and Action (ICA): A Curriculum Guide for Adult Educators provides tools for educators to guide learners through a supportive, realistic career awareness, exploration and planning process. The ICA lessons model career-contextualized teaching and advising by integrating College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education (CCRSAE), English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) and transferable workplace success skills alongside career content. The curriculum is designed to be used by instructors and career coaches, career navigators, and advisors in a variety of settings and formats, including classroom-based instruction, workforce training programs, career readiness workshops, and in one-on-one career coaching sessions. (SECTION 4 is Exploring Options for Education and Training.)

CEA International Conference and Training Event

The annual Correctional Education Association (CEA) International Conference and Training Event will be held August 2-4, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington. The deadline for presentation proposals is May 15 and presenters will be notified of acceptance by May 22.

The job postings below are for adult basic education programs funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and, at least in part, by WIOA Title II funds. You can also find the postings on the PAAER website. To post a job, please email the job advertisement to mjmanfred@tiu11.org. 

• Digital Literacy Assessment Specialist - Vita Education Services

Visit PAAER.org for the latest PA adult education news and resources. Recent additions to the site include:

• PDE's April Division Webinar slides and recording
• Staff Induction Implementation Guide
• Supplemental Distance Learning User Guide

• PAACE Conference - April 26-27, 2026, State College, PA - In-person | May 1, 2026 - Virtual
• CEA Forum - May 3-5, 2026, Baltimore, MD - In-person
• PA Workforce Development Association Conference - May 6-8, 2026, Hershey, PA - In-person
• Level Up GED^® Conference - July 29-31, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - In-person
• CEA International Conference & Training Event - August 2-4, 2026 - Bellevue, WA - In-person

State and national organizations' newsletters are listed below and may be of interest to you. To receive the most recent editions by email, please subscribe directly to the newsletter. 

Families Learning, News of the Week, National Center for Families Learning

Features information and resources for family literacy, early childhood education, and parent education.

Apr. 10 | Mar. 31 | Mar. 26

World Education/U.S.

Features resources and information from World Education projects, including EdTech Center News, The Change Agent, College for Adults, E-Learning, LINCS Region 1 Professional Development Center, National College Transition Network, and many others. 

Apr. 9 |

COABE Connects, Digital Equity, Coalition on Adult Basic Education

Features national information, resources, and initiatives for adult basic education.

Apr. 17 | Apr. 3 | Mar. 27 | Mar. 26 | Mar 20