Goals

KET’s program Workplace Essential Skills aims to support adult learners who are searching for jobs or trying to get better jobs. The program helps adult learners understand what they need to be successful at getting a job, and allows them to practice these skills.

Approach

The Workplace Essential Skills program covers four major topics: reading, communication, writing and math. These topics are taught and practiced through a series of 25 half-hour videos, four workbooks and an online lesson component. There is also an online management system available for teachers or facilitators using the program. The online management system allows teachers/facilitators to create classes, monitor progress, access reporting on individual students, and provide feedback.

Videos

Workplace Essential Skills was developed around a series of 25 half-hour videos. These videos have aired on on public television stations, and they are available for purchase on DVD. The videos show real life situations including searching for a job, interviewing for a job and how to use basic skills in the workplace. Each video covers a different career readiness and workplace issues such as: planning to work, applying for jobs, building resumes, interviewing for jobs or workplace safety.

Workbooks

The Workplace Essential Skills program has four workbooks. Each one covers a different topic: reading, communication, writing and math. Each book has a pre-test and a chart that allows adult learners to evaluate themselves. The workbooks are aligned to the videos and contain “Before You Watch” and “After You Watch” sections. Each book contains pre- and post-tests, vocabulary, and practice and evaluation components.

Online Lessons

The online lessons cover the same four topics as the workbooks: reading, communication, writing and math. The lessons help adult learners assess their skills, and practice searching and applying for jobs online. They are extensions of the video lessons.

There is a Teacher’s Guide for teachers and facilitators using Workplace Essential Skills in a physical or virtual classroom. It provides lesson plans, worksheets, and guidance on how to make the most of the videos, workbooks, and online lessons.

Implementation

Workplace Essential Skills can be used by independent learners, companies for workforce training, prison systems, distance learning programs, traditional classrooms or other organizations looking to support adult learners in gaining employment and being successful in the workplace.

Business Model and Pricing

KET sells licenses to broadcast their programs to PBS stations in other states. They only sell their programs to nonprofit organizations and independent adult learners.

Workplace Essential Skills has a variety of materials and resources. The materials necessary depends on the use case and implementation. There are a few different packages and pricing options available and the materials can also be purchased a la carte.

The Workplace Essential Skills Starter Pack includes the series of 25 half-hour videos (on 7 DVDs), ten sets of workbooks (the set includes four workbooks) and the teacher’s guide. The Starter Pack costs $678.95. The Workplace Essential Skills 25 half-hour videos and one set of workbooks costs $198.95.

There are also smaller packages available for targeted topics.

Employment DVDs and workbook: $72

Writing and Communication DVDs and workbook: $63

Math DVD and workbook: $45

Reading DVD and workbook: $36

Online Management System: $375

One set of four workbooks: $44

Each workbook: $12

Teacher’s guide: $40