This National GED Day, hear how Pearson helps employees at over 100 American companies earn their GED and make progress in their lives and careers.
GEDWorks graduate, Jesus S.
There are many reasons why people can't finish high school. In fact, around two million students a year in America aren’t able to achieve their high school diploma. For Jesus S., tough family situations growing up meant he needed to leave high school. “I started high school but there were so many reasons why I stopped going and then it was too late to catch up.”
At Pearson, we think learning is a lifelong journey – one that doesn’t start and end at the school gates. It is never too late to learn a new skill or get qualified. Increasingly, young people are opting to head straight into employment and earn credentials on-the-job. For people like Jesus, who missed out on getting their high school diploma first time around, Pearson provides another chance through the General Educational Development (GED), often through its employment-based program, GEDWorks.
Jesus’ employer, Brinker, is one of over 100 companies in America who trust Pearson to offer their staff a proven path to earn their GED through GEDWorks. Made up of corporations, medical plans, and non-profits — including KFC, Pyramid Hotel Groups, Anderson Corporation, and Taco Bell — they give their staff the opportunity to study for their GED for free to the employees.
Some of our GEDWorks parnters
How GEDWorks benefits employers:
- Attracting talent: Pearson's Skills Outlook: Employee View research shows that almost 75% of people prefer to learn via their employer, making on-the-job training packages attractive to prospective employees. This is backed up by the results of a recent survey that shows 86% of people are proud to work for an employer that offers the GED qualification.
- Retaining talent: GEDWorks creates an essential pipeline of skilled individuals with the motivation to grow their careers at the same company. In fact, one employer saw a 4x higher retention rate among the scheme’s participants.
- Helping communities: the wider societal benefit of learning can help to improve communities while strengthening a brand’s public image.
Monique Doyle, Learning and Development Specialist at DPR Construction, said of the program: "At DPR Construction we have been able to use GEDWorks as an additional resource in the development of our employees. The program and resources are laid out in a way that allows them to succeed. The best part has been seeing the sense of confidence they gain in their roles and the confidence among their peers and even their own family. Many have begun to tackle college degrees and attempt new roles because of their completion of the program. It’s been great to have GEDWorks by our side to get them to the finish line.”
How GEDWorks benefits employees:
Studying for the GED through an employer is win-win; it’s free and you can earn as you learn. The scheme offers custom study plans, personal advisors with the option of a bilingual (Spanish) advisor, practice tests, online study tools and 1:1 tutoring.
Spurred on by his wife and soon-to-be-born baby daughter, Jesus juggled his work at Brinker with his GED studies for a year. It was a long journey, but he stuck with it and finally made it. Now he can qualify for higher paying jobs and have more time back to relax and spend with family. There’s a promotion coming up for Jesus. After that, college too. He’s ready to take on the world. “Having my GED means I can focus on my career and family now. My advice is, stay resilient and keep the goal in sight, no matter how hard things get.”
GED learners are culture changers. They bring skills that aren't always measured by assessments. They are resilient and resourceful, and they are exactly the type of employees every employer needs!
Find out more
Find out more about GEDWorks and hear how getting the GED has changed the lives of thousands of people across America. Pearson is proud of every one of them.
Recent GEDWorks graduates from the KFC Foundation
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Authored by Vicki Greene, Senior Vice President, GED
Vicki Greene, SVP GED