What Is Adult Education?

Adult education is free and low-cost instruction for adults age 18 or older who want to improve their basic and technical skills, often with the goals of advancing to postsecondary education or career training programs in order to gain employment or increase their wages. Common adult education classes include English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE) or Adult Literacy, High School Diploma (HSD) or High School Equivalency (HSE), Basic Computer Skills, Citizenship Preparation, College and Career Preparation, and Career Technical Education (CTE) in specific industry sectors.

Vision

All adults in the Salinas Valley will receive equitable access to the education, training, guidance, and support needed to set and achieve their educational and career goals.

Mission

The Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium fosters the expansion, improvement, and accessibility of adult education services in the region.

About the SVAEC

The Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium (SVAEC) fosters the expansion, improvement, and accessibility of adult education services in the Salinas Valley. Consortium Members collaborate in regional planning, implementation, and evaluation of adult education programs and services to ensure all adults receive equitable access to the education, training, guidance, and support needed to set and achieve their educational and career goals.

Our adult education (AE) programs help adults improve their English skills, obtain a high school diploma or equivalent, prepare for college-level coursework, improve their digital literacy, and train for viable careers that increase adults earning potential. We work with industry partners to develop career pathways that lead adults to high-demand, high-wage employment, ensuring both employee and employer needs are met. SVAEC programs also help adults achieve personal goals, such as preparing for U.S. Citizenship and helping their children succeed in school. Ultimately, adult education benefits our regions families, communities, and economy.

The seven Members of the SVAEC include the Adult Schools of North Monterey County, Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, and South Monterey County; Hartnell College; and the Monterey County Office of Education. Our Consortium was formed in 2014 by the State of California (along with 71 other adult education consortia statewide) under AB86 and later AB104 legislation, as part of its new Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG) Program. State AEBG funds are distributed by the Consortium to its Members per State and Consortium guidelines. For more information about the AEBG Program, go to http://aebg.cccco.edu/.

The Consortium continually seeks new ways to collaborate with new community and industry partners. If your agency or organization is interested in partnering with the SVAEC, or for any additional information about the Consortium, please contact SVAEC Director, Ivan Pagan, by phone (831) 759-6021 or email ipagan@hartnell.edu.

About Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium