Helping hands: How MSLC connects community to build a stronger workforce

What if a single connection could change someone’s career path and strengthen our local economy? Finding a job that is the right fit can feel like an impossible feat, yet meaningful work provides stability, growth and purpose. At Mid-State Literacy Council (MSLC), adult learners are building essential job-readiness skills, and with the right support, their career goals can become reality.

Through individualized tutoring and small-group instruction, MSLC volunteers help adults move from instability to self-sufficiency. Some students are preparing for the GED high school equivalency exam to access vocational training or higher education. Many are building workplace vocabulary, learning about workplace norms and rights, exploring new career pathways and navigating credentialing processes. Frequently, English Language Learners who were skilled professionals in their home countries are underemployed due to language and certification barriers. With support from MSLC services, recent students have earned credentials in nursing, phlebotomy, X-ray technology and more. Each skill gained not only changes an individual’s life, but it also strengthens our local workforce and economy.

Building career related literacy skills is critical, but accessing meaningful connections ensures that learning leads to opportunity. MSLC links learners to volunteer and work experiences where they build resumes, practice workplace skills, and expand professional networks. We connect students to educators and employers by partnering with local businesses, vocational training programs, certification pathways and higher education institutions. These connections help pave clear pathways to in-demand careers. Employers can play a critical role by sponsoring adult student scholarships and offering us feedback on the essential literacy and workplace skills your employees need most. A $250 donation helps to offset registration fees as over 80% of our students receive services free of charge.

Community members can help by serving as volunteer mentors to provide practical guidance about their profession. We invite our neighbors across all industries to share your experience with adult learners who are entering your field. Whether it is a brief conversation over coffee, a one-time informational meeting, or an ongoing tutoring relationship, your insight can help a student better understand your profession, workplace expectations, and the path you took to get there. If you’re interested, contact mslc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org to join our volunteer mentor list and we’ll connect you with a student who is eager to learn more.

Support MSLC as an employer or community member during Centre Gives, May 6-7 at www.centregives.org. This community-wide fundraising campaign is an opportunity to invest in adult education and workforce development right here in Centre County. Every contribution helps expand access to education, strengthen career pathways and build a more connected and resilient community.

Together, we can open doors — for our students, our businesses and our future workforce.

Bridget Schell is the executive director of Mid-State Literacy Council.