Current data shows a sizeable return on this investment is due not only for individuals and employers, but also for communities, regions and the nation as a whole. Formal training and education helps employees increase productivity an average 15 to 20 percent while earning higher wages, receiving better benefits, and experiencing less unemployment. While the commitment to education and training is increasing among businesses and unions, and enrollments, especially by part-time students at community colleges, increased 21 percent through 1995, there is still much work to be done to increase the lifelong learning skills and development of American workers. More than 90 million Americans function at low levels of literacy and are ill-equipped to succeed in the new economy. The ability to take advantage of future economic opportunities will depend on the education and skill attainment of the work force.
Dynamic partnerships are key to having affordable and convenient access to learning.
Our nation's economic health, as well as, individual well-being will be founded on the success of this team effort. They design programs to help their employees grow. They offer their employees a median of 40 hours of training per year. In essence, they become a learning organization, a company that consistently strives for improvement. Programs such as tuition reimbursement, mentoring, on-site courses, and career counseling are usually available.