1 The Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-Best) Program: Equipping All Adults for the Global Economy

Employment skill deficiencies among American workers diminish the earning power of individuals and families, hurt employers and local economies, restrict the advancement of society in general, and weaken the reputation of the educational system. Individuals from the lower socio-economic quartile of our society, particularly people from non-dominant groups and those traditionally under-served by higher education are often discouraged by their lack of preparation for jobs in today’s economy. Their despair is reflected in individual and personal costs of low job skills which are often manifested in terms of diminished self-worth and a lack of ability to support a family and contribute to the betterment of others. The nation and society also suffer because of the growing number of workers who have job skill deficiencies; there is a loss of tax revenue, a greater burden on social agencies, and a growing disillusionment with public schools, institutions of higher education, and adult education agencies. Whether the costs are personal or national, the lack of job preparedness and lower achievement is a challenge that has been ignored far too long. The problem is magnified when it is examined in an era when tax dollars fo