Intersect With Earl Sept. 2024

by Earl Buford on Sep 30, 2024

Our annual conference, the culminating event of our 50th anniversary celebrations, is only a month away. Below, you’ll find a hint about a major CPL announcement we have planned for it, along with the latest examples of the kind of education-employment collaboration that CAEL has championed since our founding five decades ago.

It takes a city: While there is understandably great focus on federal resources and policies that support postsecondary education and workforce development, we shouldn’t lose sight of the opportunities that exist at the local level. That includes cities, or “rich ecosystems of education, training, and workforce stakeholders,” as this National League of Cities article, co-authored by CAEL’s Rachel Hirsch, puts it.

Getting the most out of DANTES: Congratulations to Carolyn Swabek and Doug Heckman for hosting the first of two webinars with Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES), which focused on a holistic approach to using DANTES programs and products to support servicemembers’ academic aspirations, including receipt of military-based CPL. This professional development opportunity emerged from the great collaboration Doug and Carolyn have been leading in our community of practice for military-connected learners. You can catch part two of this series on Oct. 3

Grant opportunity: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has made about $450,000 in funding available for one award under the PAsmart Supporting Apprenticeship Building through Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Eligible applicants include the awardees from previous Ambassador Networks NGAs released in August of 2021 and December of 2019. Apply by Oct. 18..

A CPL surprise for CAEL’s 50^th: It’s not too late to register for our 50^th annual conference, which occurs in New Orleans From Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 (great timing for a great venue, right?) As if the event weren’t special enough, we’ll also be announcing a new global CPL resource, which will enable more seamless connections between adult learners and the institutions committed to championing their needs. I hope to see you there in person or virtually.

CAEL member mention: Amid a challenging enrollment environment only worsened by COVID-19, the University of Maine at Presque Isle doubled its student population between 2020 and 2024. YourPace, an online, competency-based program, has been integral to that feat. Such self-paced programs, explain CAEL's Becky Klein-Collins and Wilson Finch, allow students to fit education programs within busy lives, which in turn drives enrollment from the substantial population of adult learners who have completed some college but not a credential..