River Valley Resources Adult Education Chosen To Participate In National Education Initiatives

Indiana is a national leader in adult education, and RVR is honored to have been chosen to represent the state at the national level.

(Madison, Ind.) – River Valley Resources’ Adult Education program was recently selected to participate in two national adult education initiatives focused on developing educational and career pathway skills training for adult education students. Indiana is a national leader in adult education, and RVR is honored to have been chosen to represent the state at the national level.

Participating as one of fifty experts throughout the United States, Konnie McCollum, RVR’s Adult Education Director, was invited to the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) sponsored Integrated Education and Training (IET) Symposium in Washington, DC. The Symposium focused on the implementation of training models under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ACT (WIOA) to support local programs. Over the last few years, Adult Education has expanded into IET programming that offers adult learners the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma and an industry-recognized certification at the same time. Based on the experience of Symposiums participants, a toolkit was developed to assist local adult education programs in implementing successful IET programs.

 As a follow up to the national symposium, RVR Adult Education was invited to participate as one of Indiana’s representatives in the Pilot Integrated Education and Training (IET) Design Camp Training, This national program, limited to five states, seeks to support adult education providers in implementing innovative IET programming. Participation in the Training Camp includes a series of virtual meetings and activities from September to December 2020.

“RVR is proud to help create innovative adult education programs. We hope our work at the national level will lead to self-sufficiency for those served,” Margo Olson, CEO of River Valley Resources.

Through successful partnerships with employers, community organizations, and training providers, RVR is at the forefront of unique IET programming for students, serving Economic Growth Regions 9 and 10. Since Indiana’s implementation of IET programming for students, serving Economic Growth Regions 9 and 10. Since Indiana’s implementation of the IET model in 2017, RVR has developed more than 12 unique IET programs, resulting in students earning more than 600 nationally recognized, high-demand, workforce credentials. Through a commitment to meeting people’s needs, RVR continues to find solutions and change lives.