Support education programs that boost working families

We all know education pays. It is the foundation of prosperity for most working families.

The lack of an education is a factor in the rapidly growing income inequality in our state. As the educational-achievement gap widens between higher- and lower-income workers, so does the income gap.Currently in King County, more than 55,000 adults ages 18-54 with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level have completed high school or less. To begin erasing these disparities, more low-income working adults need to gain the education and skills necessary to compete for higher-wage jobs and prosper in our local economy.

The adult-education system focuses on short-term successes, basic skills and work-force-readiness training as a first step, immediately followed by job placement. While this approach provides necessary tools, it does not lead to economic vitality for many working families.

According to David Prince, senior research manager for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, "two out of three work-force and transfer students who enter with a GED leave with less than one year of college."

A longer-term strategy is required to make the transition to further education and training toward marketable credentials possible for people to get higher-wage, higher-demand employment.

The Washington State Fall Job Vacancy Report, produced by the Employment Security Department (ESD) last month, revealed job openings that required at least an associate's or vocational degree had a median wage of $18.85 per hour. A bachelor's degree produced a median wage of $24.04 per hour. And openings that required at least a high-school diploma or no educational requirement only produced a median wage of $8 to $10 per hour.

While this data proves education pays, few supports exist to help low-wage workers access the training needed to enter family-wage employment, as shown by the educational requirements needed for our state's current job openings. A systematic overhaul may not be needed, but more linkages within the education system and support services are needed to assist and prepare lower-income workers to stay on the postsecondary pathway when faced with multiple barriers.

An approach designed to address the problems low-income working adults face is a concept called "career coaching." Career coaches assist low-income working adults to develop strategic career-advancement plans that accommodate their need to work, and to access child care, transportation and other family supports. Coaches help keep individuals on a stable educational track with attainable steps that show progressive success — filling a vital gap in the education and training service system.

A potential pilot program that uses career coaches to assist low-wage working individuals has been introduced as a concept through a budget request to the state Legislature. This pilot program helps low-wage workers pursue an educational track while utilizing available work supports to attain employment in high-demand, high-wage employment sectors.

Residents and community partners should write and call your legislators in support of the career-coaching budget request, which is sponsored by Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle. Advocating for policies like career coaching will prove the effectiveness of supporting working adults to attain an education and enter into family-wage jobs.

Education increases a family's income, reduces income disparities, and builds a better work force enabling businesses to thrive. We urge community partners to strongly advocate for easier access to postsecondary education.

The upward mobility and prosperity of families and our community are at stake.