U.S. Rep. Hinojosa: More money needed for adult education

U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D–Mercedes, has announced he will sponsor the Adult Education and Economic Act of 2011 to release $1 billion in additional funding for adult education, literacy and workplace skills.

Among other initiatives, the bill would provide tax credits for employers who invest in their workers’ education, increase funding for state and local authorities’ learning and create incentives for Internet service providers to increase digital literacy in their local areas.

“Current adult education programs reach less than 3 million adults annually and were not designed for today’s global economy,” Hinojosa said in an email. “Right now we must also focus on developing educational plans surrounding technology for adult learning.”

He added that his legislation would help reach President Barack Obama’s goal to see 5 million more Americans graduate from community college by 2020.

“The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that between 2004 and 2014, 24 of the 30 fastest-growing occupations will require workers with postsecondary education or training,” Hinojosa said. “At the very minimum, we must increase not only the high school graduation rate for our residents, they must also go on to community colleges or receive specific training that they will need to enter the workforce.”

If Congress approves Hinojosa’s bill, Workforce Solutions in the Rio Grande Valley expects to play a central role in implementing the congressman’s initiatives.

“There isn’t enough attention given to the adult education system,” said Bonnie Gonzalez, CEO of the workforce development group. “There needs to be investment across all sectors of education (but) if (residents) are not successful in elementary or secondary schools, they eventually head to us.”

She said that in addition to the digital literacy component, employer tax credits will benefit the local economy.

“We have several local companies that are mavericks (and) do tuition reimbursement and educational investments,” she said. “That encourages the employee, develops loyalty and understanding and buy-in.

“Those folks don’t jump across the street for” more money, she said.

Whether federal funds are distributed to Valley colleges or Workforce Solutions, Gonzalez said both groups will need to work together to train local workers for an evolving and more demanding economy.

“Skill development is the one thing that is recession-proof,” Gonzalez said. “Lifelong learning and skill attainment is the only way that we as a community will continue to be marketable.”

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Neal Morton covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4472.