One required training a class of adult learners over four to five weeks and another involved training peer instructors in a one-day workshop. It uses the learner's prior knowledge as a teaching tool for learning new skills. On-going assessment along with academic skills, life management skills and work opportunities training are built in. Curriculum content is drawn from a wide variety of community resources and businesses.
Learners have ongoing input into how the program is designed.
Learner groups consist of no more than fifteen people and one instructor. They are of various ages and backgrounds. All of them read below a grade ten level. Some time is spent working alone, but most time is spent working as a group. A HALE course is wrapped up by a three week job placement.