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This qualitative study of students in mid- and later-life (MLL; age 40 and older) sought to address the role faculty play in facilitating student success and how institutions support faculty, especially adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty teach a majority of classes at community colleges but are not provided the same professional development opportunities as tenure track faculty and are often not well integrated into the college system. Data were collected in focus groups with faculty (both adjunct and tenured) and students, supplemented by key informant interviews, at multiple community colleges in a Midwestern state. MLL students are a heterogeneous group and often have more demands on their time than do younger students. Our findings on the critical role faculty members play in helping MLL students succeed suggest that providing additional support for faculty is a valuable investment for community colleges.

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Continuous learning over the life course is necessary to effectively compete in a knowledge-based global economy. Shifts in the age structure of the US labor force combined with increased labor force participation among older adults add to the importance of gaining a better understanding of how adult education and training (AET) influences labor market outcomes for middle-aged and older workers. This study used data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to examine the relationship in the US between participation in AET programs and employment, labor force participation, income, and net worth for adults aged 45 to 65. Participation in an AET program in the 12 months preceding the survey significantly improved the log odds of both employment and labor force participation and significantly improved the log odds of moving up one income quintile. Lower income groups and the unemployed were less likely to participate in AET than higher income groups and the employed. [The authors] also compared outcomes of AET participation in the US with those in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the UK and examined policies for lifelong learning in those countries. Show less

Adult literacy skills are critical assets of individuals as well as societies in terms of economic (e.g., human capital) and social well-being. Thus, it is important to monitor the long-term trends and sources of skill gain/loss. Yet, temporal sources of adult literacy skill variation are understudied. The current study analyzed three comparable, nationally representative datasets including the 1994 International Adult Literacy Survey; the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey; and the 2012/2014/2017 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. Results from the age-period-cohort hierarchical cross-classified random effects model showed significant variation in adult literacy skills across cohorts (1930-1995) and time periods (1994-2017). Possible implications for adult education policies and future research needs were evaluated.

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Despite increasing demand in distance education, relatively little is known about the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as basic skill levels of adult distance education participants at the national level in the US. This study analyzed the US data from the 2012/2014 and 2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to identify baseline determinants of nonformal (i.e., not for a formal credential or degree) distance education among adults aged between 25 and 65 years old.

Results showed that higher educational attainment, employment, literacy skills, and digital problem-solving skills were positively associated with nonformal distance education participation. As recent distance education is provided predominantly through the internet and digital device, digital skills may be of particular concern. These identified determinants should be reflected in policy interventions to close education gaps. Additionally, the findings of this study are useful for future research that focuses on psychological and behavioral factors.

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Advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots are steadily replacing jobs in the USA. Continuous skill-upgrading and re-skilling are critical for workers to remain employable throughout their careers. In these social and economic contexts, community colleges play significant roles to provide workforce education and training because of their open admission, lower tuition, and shorter and more specific occupational programs compared to four-year universities. However, the detailed data of jobs at risk of automation are currently unavailable to inform future community college programs. This study used the national occupation and risk-of-automation data to estimate specific numbers of jobs at risk by industries and age groups.

Results showed that approximately 48 per cent of the jobs could be replaced within two decades. Four industries (1) service; (2) sales and office; (3) natural resources, construction, and maintenance; and (4) production, transportation, and material moving were at a particularly higher risk (up to 75 per cent). At the same time, computer, engineering, and health-care occupations had a lower risk (up to 12 per cent). The estimated numbers of jobs at risk inform community colleges' strategic planning.

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Adult numeracy is one of the essential skill sets to navigate through numeric information-rich labour markets in general, and STEM industries in particular. Yet, relatively little is known about how numeracy skills are used in different settings in the USA. This study examined numeracy skill use patterns of STEM and non-STEM workers at work and home. Data were obtained from the 2012/2014/2017 Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies, USA restricted-use file. Adults who were employed and aged between 25 and 65 years old (n = 5,220) were included in this study.

Latent class analysis revealed four numeracy skill use patterns: non-users, non-occupational (i.e. at home) simple numeracy users, ubiquitous numeracy users, and occupational numeracy users. Additional multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the STEM occupation was associated with a greater likelihood of being ubiquitous users than being non-occupational simple users. Results also showed that numeracy proficiency, socioeconomic statuses (i.e. educational attainment and income), as well as demographic characteristics (i.e. gender and race/ethnicity), were predictive of the numeracy skill use patterns in terms of the level of engagement and settings. Findings from this study inform policies and interventions which promote skill engagement and improvement among workers in the USA.

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The objective of this study is to examine the associations between the motivation to learn, basic skills (i.e. literacy and numeracy), and organised adult education and training (AET) participation among the middle-aged and older adults in the USA. Rapid technological advancement and globalisation necessitate individuals to engage in lifelong learning to actively participate in society. However, little is known about the roles of motivation to learn and basic skills in the AET participation in the U.S. adult population. We obtained the data from the 2012/2014 Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies restricted-use file and adults aged 50 years and older (n=2,580) are included. Structural equation models are used to examine (1) any AET, (2) formal AET and (3) non-formal AET participation as a function of the motivation to learn latent construct, literacy, numeracy, and other covariates. Results showed that the motivation to learn, literacy and numeracy are all positive predictors of non-formal AET participation. Only motivation to learn is associated with formal AET participation. Findings from this study may inform future interventions as well as policy changes to promote specific types of organised AET programmes among older adult population in the USA.

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Workers are remaining in the labor force at older ages; and, despite their desire to work, those without jobs face unprecedented durations of unemployment. Many of the unemployed lack current skills for jobs in demand and need to either upgrade their skills or be trained for a new occupation to become re-employed. An aging workforce combined with concerns about the long-term viability of social welfare programs has increased the importance of identifying strategies to encourage working at older ages. In recent years there has been increased focus on training that results in a credential; much of this training takes place at community colleges.

The present study examined community college involvement in educational programs for older workers. This involved interviews and site visits at 14 community colleges to gain an understanding of the role community colleges play in linking older students to credential or certificate programs. Effective strategies for community college involvement in workforce training were identified and include outreach programs for older students, providing advice for specific programs of study, support during the program to ensure completion, job placement services, and continuing education for skill upgrading.

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Despite the desire of many older adults to remain in the workforce, those without jobs face unprecedented durations of unemployment. Many of the unemployed lack current skills for jobs in demand and need to either upgrade their skills or be trained for a new occupation to become reemployed. An aging workforce, combined with the negative effects of the recent economic downturn, has increased the importance of identifying strategies to encourage working at older ages. In recent years there has been increased focus on training that results in a credential; much of this training takes place at community colleges. The present study examined community college involvement in outreach and support programs for older displaced workers. This involved interviews with 27 key informants at 14 community colleges to gain an understanding of the role community colleges play in linking older students to credential or certificate programs. Effective strategies for community college involvement in workforce training were identified and include outreach programs for older students, providing advice for specific programs of study, support during the program to ensure completion, job placement services, and continuing education for skill upgrading.

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To remain competitive in the labor market, many middle-aged and older adults need to upgrade existing or learn new skills through occupational training and education. Furthermore, as compared with the past, employers now are more willing to hire older workers after completing a credential due to a low unemployment rate. Moreover, employers often collaborate with community colleges to provide workforce training for their employees. Community colleges are the preferred choice for older students due to affordability, open-access admission, a greater number of credential options including short-term credentials, and convenient locations. However, little is known about challenges and opportunities for improving labor market outcomes at community colleges for adults ages 40 and older. Based on thematic analysis of student and faculty focus groups and individual interviews with staff and administrators at 23 Ohio community colleges, this paper identifies strategies community colleges employ to improve labor market outcomes for middle-aged and older adults (age 40 and older) and to meet the needs of employers. Additionally, challenges faced by older community college students during training, retraining, and finding employment are discussed.

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