What are Good Jobs for ABE Learners and How Can They Get

Them?Jonathan Latner

Research and Evaluation Analyst

617-727-8158

jlatner@commcorp.org

Lisa Soricone

Senior Research and Evaluation Analyst

617-727-8158

lsoricone@commcorp.org

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Who are ABE Learners in the workforce?

– English Language Learners (ELL)• 16 years of age and older• Does not speak English well or at all• Not enrolled in school

– Limited Educational Attainment (LEA)• 16 years of age and older• Not enrolled in school• No high school diploma • Not ELL

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% of Massachusetts Workforce who are ELL or LEP

Page 3Source:Analysis of 1990 Census and 2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are active participants in the labor force (employed or unemployed)

1) Number of ELL learners has declined by 51%2) Number of LEP learners has risen by 79%3) ELL & LEP Workers Account for 8% of the MA Workforce in 2007 (down from 12% in 1990)

Industrial Distribution of ABE Workforce in MA

Page 4Source:2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are employed

1) Red Line indicates Massachusetts Average2) LEA/LEP Workers are spread across a wide variety of industries

Industrial Distribution of ABE Workforce by Average Salary of Sector in MA

Page 5Source:2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are employed

1) Red line indicates Massachusetts Average2) Industries with a high proportion of ABE workers have average salaries that are below the state

average

Selected Occupations with High Numbers of ABE Workers in MA

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Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are employed

Source:2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Occupational/Industry Crosswalk of 7 Occupations with high numbers of ABE Workers in MA

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2006 Employment

Source:2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Mfg. Retail Transportation & Warehousing Admin. Education Health-

careArts &

Entertainment

Hotels & Food

ServicesOther

Maids 27% 3% 21% 1% 18% 28%

Material Movers 16% 37% 15% 3% 1% 2% 2%

Child Care Workers 10% 66% 4% 1% 19%

Stock Clerks and Order Fillers 9% 66% 4% 3% 1% 1%

Food Preparation Workers 11% 8% 8% 70%

Customer Service Representatives 10% 22% 4% 6% 1% 7% 2% 4% 2%

Counter Attendants 2% 2% 3% 4% 79%

Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are employedNote: Rows and Columns do not always add up to 100% because some sectors with small proportion of workers are not included

1) These occupations work in a wide variety of industries

Occupational/Industry Crosswalk of 7 Occupations with high numbers of ABE Workers in MA

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2006 Average Salary

Source:2007 American Community Survey using IPUMS

Note: working age population (16 – 65) who are employed

1) The industries with the highest concentrations of these occupations are not necessarily those that pay the most for that particular occupation

2) Which industries do these occupations receive a “wage bonus?”

Mfg. Retail Transportation & Warehousing Admin. Education Health-

careArts &

Entertainment

Hotels & Food

ServicesOther

Maids $8,071 $13,617 $26,353 $7,691 $16,344 $4,252

Material Movers $30,678 $12,669 $27,513 $21,639 $20,956 $20,349 $17,349

Child Care Workers $12,435 $10,928 $5,009 $3,988 $11,128

Stock Clerks and Order Fillers $40,582 $18,492 $17,494 $19,035 $19,133 $30,378

Food Preparation Workers $18,211 $11,321 $12,854 $2,327 $13,152

Customer Service Representatives $40,529 $20,088 $42,909 $33,051 $24,538 $41,714 $13,587 $12,897 $19,970

Counter Attendants $14,274 $2,560 $15,683 $1,503 $5,799

So, how do you find these industries?

1. Use your networks

2. Gain a better understanding of the skills you have and how they may be applied in other areas

3. Don’t underestimate the possibility of success even in “low-wage” sectors like retail.

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Things to Remember

1. As hard as the struggle is, evidence suggests that individuals do improve wages over their own personal lifetimes

2. Improved wages is not about staying with one employer or constantly switching from employer to employer, but about finding “good” employers and staying

3. “Good” employers are large, have lots of job openings, pay more for the same occupation, and have a strong culture of promoting from within

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