Pivot Path - GED Prep & Workforce Training

The specific problems we are solving are chronic unemployment and increasing the labor participation rate. This is on a scale of social, economic, and environmental. Individuals without a high school diploma earn significantly less. 

The unemployment rate for individuals without a high school diploma was 5.5% in 2022, compared to 3.7% for those with a diploma. Many employers require a high school diploma as a minimum qualification, limiting job prospects for dropouts. Individuals without a high school diploma are more likely to be incarcerated. We want this number to drastically decrease. Also, areas with higher dropout rates may experience more social instability and crime, affecting the overall quality of life. We want to decrease the crime that our communities face. 

High school dropouts often rely more on community resources such as public assistance programs, which can strain local economies. By receiving this grant we will be able to help sustain adults in our community.

A few factors that contribute to this problem include:  Poverty, lack of job opportunities, family issues, peer influence & community safety. 

Ouf founder Ashley Johnson is a GED recipient and she's using her leadership skills and post-secondary education to lead the charge on implementing practical plans to move adult learners in the right direction. Her story of GED to MBA has attracted over 60 adult learners to our program in just under a year of inception. The strategy is clear, help adult learners excel. 

We do that by implementing our targeted solutions of GED prep, workforce development training, mentors, career coaches, and our partnership with Grow with Google. Our solutions can significantly improve the quality of life in these communities. Ensuring that all citizens are educated and part of the workforce will lead to:

• Economic Growth: Higher educational attainment leads to better job opportunities, higher wages, and reduced poverty.
• Social Stability: Education reduces crime rates, improves health outcomes, and increases civic participation.
• Improved Community Resources: With more educated individuals, communities can better utilize and improve public services, leading to safer and more stable neighborhoods.

Sharing the solution and motivation for our future students: https://youtu.be/OktPc2ONXZw

By addressing these contributing factors through targeted solutions, we can ensure that more adults complete their education, leading to a more educated and prosperous community.

The target population consists of adults 17 and up in poverty-stricken neighborhoods who have left high school for various reasons. These individuals are seeking to improve their lives through GED preparation and workforce development skills.

They are currently underserved in these ways:

• Educational Barriers: Many of these adults did not complete high school due to economic pressures, family responsibilities, or other personal challenges. They lack the necessary educational qualifications to secure stable and well-paying jobs.
• Economic Hardship: Living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, these individuals face significant financial challenges. Limited access to quality education and job opportunities perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
• Limited Job Opportunities: Without a high school diploma or equivalent, job prospects are severely limited. Many employers require at least a GED for entry-level positions, leaving these individuals with few options.
• Social Stigma: There is often a social stigma associated with not completing high school, which can affect self-esteem and motivation. This stigma can also lead to discrimination in the job market.

With a GED, individuals can pursue further education or training programs, increasing their earning potential and job stability. By providing a supportive learning environment we can help address the social stigma associated with dropping out of high school.

Team Lead: Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson is deeply connected to the communities she serves. Her extensive background in leadership and community engagement uniquely positions her to understand and address the challenges faced by adult learners in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. 

Here’s how:

1. Personal Experience: As an adult learner herself, Ashley has firsthand experience with the struggles of inadequacy and self-doubt. This personal connection allows her to empathize with the target population and provide relevant support.
2. Community Involvement: Ashley's active participation in community leadership cohorts, such as the Alabama Leadership Initiative and Leadership Montgomery Torchbearers, demonstrates her commitment to community development.
3. Professional Expertise: As a certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer & Coach, Ashley utilizes her skills to mentor and guide individuals, helping them achieve their dreams and live purposeful lives.
4. Board Membership: Her dedication to community service and her ability to contribute to organizational missions.

Ashley uses her personal story to connect with each student, letting them know that she's been in their shoes. She creates a pivot plan for each student and holds them accountable to follow the plan to the end. 

We engaged with this population by holding workshops and catering to the needs of their "right now" needs. We've paired them with industry professionals based on their interests to get them ready for the workforce, we have implemented an English learner class to serve our Hispanic population, and we've also partnered with Grow with Google to help our students upskill their resume. All these steps and more are done at no cost to our students. 

The team working alongside Ashley is also representative of the communities they serve. Many team members come from similar backgrounds and have faced similar challenges, and earned their GED which allows them to connect with and understand the needs of the target population.

We chose growth because we are 1 year in and we hit the ground running. Before our first class in 2024, we had over 30 students on our waitlist. This is a testament to how eagerly adults want to make changes and be productive citizens. 

We built this program off of great faith with one non-paid employee, our Founder Ashley Johnson. We now have 2 part-time employees, 6 volunteers, 9 board members, and community support

Accomplishments:

- Grow with Google Partner-

- 15 graduates

- 3 that have enrolled in post-secondary

- Partnership with DHR to assist with stipends for eligible students

- Alabama Career Essentials partner

- Hosted 4 cohorts

- Offering MAPS (Mobilizing Alabama Pathways)

- Using online learning platforms to increase digital learning and equity

https://www.thepivotpath.org/