Three States are Revolutionizing Their job markets through English Language Education
In a tight job market, three states – Colorado, Maine, and Michigan – are unlocking untapped economic potential and fostering a more resilient workforce by investing in English language learning. These initiatives, driven by EnGen, an AI-powered, on-demand learning platform, are benefiting both employers seeking to fill critical positions and workers looking to advance their careers.
Addressing Tight Labor Markets
"Maine's labor market is tight, with an aging workforce and approximately two job openings for every unemployed job seeker," explains Joan M. Dolan, director of apprenticeship and strategic partnerships at Maine's Department of Labor. "The influx of workers whose primary language isn't English presents an opportunity to address this shortage, if they can get the language support they need."
In just 18 months, Colorado's ambitious Virtual Career-Aligned English as a Second Language Program served over 4,160 English language learners, partnering with 49 stakeholders including employers, community organizations, and educational institutions. Significant impacts included 94% of participants reporting improved confidence and 90% saving time at work through better communication skills.
Michigan's Global Talent Initiative utilizes EnGen's platform to strengthen opportunities for internationally-trained professionals. "By offering English upskilling through EnGen's powerful platform, we can strengthen opportunities for internationally-trained professionals to communicate and participate to their fullest potential at work," says Steve Tobocman, executive director of Global Detroit.
Beyond Basic Communication: Career Advancement
Maine's Lewiston Adult Education program demonstrates how these initiatives can be structured effectively. Pre-apprenticeship programs combine career skills, English instruction, digital literacy, and workforce readiness courses. Participants, including multilingual Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), earn industry-recognized credentials and are placed in healthcare roles, boosting patient care and team dynamics.
"The digital curriculum not only equips learners with essential healthcare language but also ensures they are workforce-ready from day one," explains Monique Roy, vice president of learning, culture and workforce development at Central Maine Healthcare.
These programs extend beyond teaching conversational English, offering specialized courses to address current workforce shortages and future needs. Findings across the three states show:
- In Colorado, 89% of participants reported improved digital skills, and 86% improved job skills.
- In Lewiston, Maine's program, 84% of pre-apprenticeship graduates found employment as CNAs, with all apprentices thriving two years post-launch.
- Michigan has successfully integrated English language learning across 17 workforce development programs statewide.
A recent study revealed that every dollar invested in English upskilling generated a $6 return in local tax revenues, consumer spending, job creation, and business investment.
The Power of English Skills
EnGen's founder and chief education officer, Dr. Katie Brown, emphasizes that, "English skills are workforce skills." By viewing language training as a pathway to opportunity, workers connect with in-demand career skills, businesses thrive, industries stabilize, and communities become more resilient.
Investment in language learning yields substantial dividends, improving productivity, communication, and workforce readiness in sectors like healthcare and infrastructure. Colorado's success stories illustrate this, with language skills opening doors for skilled immigrants to reenter their professions.
These states recognize English skills as a long-term investment in economic growth, as New Americans – a significant portion of their populace – are crucial to filling talent shortages. By refining and expanding their initiatives, they aim to create sustainable workforce solutions benefiting both employers and workers.
- The tight job market in Maine necessitates addressing the shortage caused by English language learners, who make up a significant portion of the workforce.
- Colorado's Virtual Career-Aligned English as a Second Language Program, driven by EnGen, served over 4,160 learners in just 18 months, demonstrating significant impacts such as improved confidence and savings in time at work.
- Michigan's Global Talent Initiative leverages EnGen's platform to strengthen opportunities for internationally-trained professionals, enabling them to communicate and participate effectively in their workplaces.
- In Lewiston, Maine, the Adult Education program combines career skills, English instruction, digital literacy, and workforce readiness courses to prepare multilingual CNAs for healthcare roles, boosting patient care and team dynamics.
- Michigan has successfully integrated English language learning into 17 workforce development programs, resulting in improved digital and job skills for participants.
- The investment in English upskilling yields significant returns, as demonstrated by Colorado's success stories, with language skills enabling skilled immigrants to reenter their professions and contribute to economic growth.
- Recognizing the importance of English skills for both employers and workers, these states aim to create sustainable workforce solutions by refining and expanding their initiatives for New Americans, who are crucial to filling talent shortages in various sectors.
