Workforce Development Initiatives

WDI Definition and Purpose

Workforce Development Initiatives (WDIs) are a key component of Tennessee Adult Education career pathways, supporting outcomes such as new employment, career advancement, transition to postsecondary education, and access to additional training opportunities. WDIs are designed to support learners' education and career goals while creating a talent pipeline to address state, regional, and local workforce needs. 

Types of WDIs

Tennessee Adult Education recognizes the following types of WDIs: 

Integrated Education and Training

Integrated education and training (IET) is a service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities, employability skills, and career training for a specific occupation. All IET programs must include: 

• Workforce training: Includes training specific to an occupation or industry, generally done in partnership with a training provider such as a postsecondary institution or employer.
• Workforce preparation: Workforce preparation activities refer to skills that include critical thinking, digital skills, self-management, working with others, and understanding information and systems. 
• Adult Education: Adult education and literacy activities include instruction in English language, literacy math, and/or civics taught in the context of the workforce training. 

Pre-Apprenticeship

A pre-apprenticeship program is coursework or training designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program. Once the participant successfully completes the pre-apprenticeship program, he or she has the opportunity to interview for a registered apprenticeship program.

Workplace Adult Education and Literacy

Workplace Adult Education and Literacy is an employer-based initiative that provides employees with basic literacy, adult education, and English language instruction. Adult education providers partner with employers to design customized workplace literacy training that improves employee proficiency and workplace productivity.

Postsecondary Pathway

Postsecondary pathway programs prepare and assist AE students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education and/or training. Postsecondary pathway activities occur before a learner transition into a postsecondary setting and can continue once a student begins participating in postsecondary.