| The adult Workforce Development Programs at the Erie Neighborhood House (ENH) provide pre-certification education in manufacturing and healthcare to a primarily low-income, Latino student population. Through ENH, students gain critical skills that will allow them to advance to credential-awarding advanced programs. Latinos represent the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States and the U.S. Census projects Latinos will make up 30% of the population by 2050 and a large part of the workforce. Despite improving numbers of Latinos completing high school, these promising numbers do not continue to college and postsecondary education. This study sought to evaluate the ENH Adult Workforce Development Program. Results demonstrate the Workforce Development Programs at ENH are successful in increasing skills and knowledge base in students and in providing opportunity for advanced training and employment. Risk factors for dropout are discussed, and data driven recommendations to assist with decreasing student attrition are provided. |
