If the U.S. economy contracts over the next year or two, as a majority of experts anticipate, there will be an enormous need for education and training. Workers will want to reskill and retrain for a reshaped world of work. Colleges and universities will have a critical role to play in getting Americans back to work and on a path toward more stable careers.

The 39 million Americans with some college but no credential will be the key to recovery, and colleges and universities must redouble their efforts to get these learners back in school and on a path toward new careers. When the labor market tightens, credentials will be crucial, and these learners are already partway to degrees and certificates that will give them an edge in landing family-sustaining jobs and careers.

But traditional higher education has long struggled to address the needs of adult learners, many of whom had to put a pause on finishing their degrees when life happened. Whether adult learners are returning after five years, 10 years, or decades, they are navigating more than academics. They are juggling academic life with work and family responsibilities.

About 80% of college students work at least part time while enrolled, and one in five students are parents. If higher education is to better serve this growing population — and bolster enrollment in the process — we must start with understanding adult learners to provide the support they need for success.

  • Address time poverty Adult learners have little time to devote to their studies. Higher education must provide support services, scheduling and course modality to meet adult learners in those fleeting moments they can focus on their education. And it must make sure those services are flexible.
  • Align with career needs The majority of working learners are attending college to advance their careers, and many are not looking for the traditional four-year experience.
  • Make it human Navigating higher education can be a scary, daunting and lonely experience, especially when so much of the system is not designed for adult learners. But there are ways to make a difference to this student population: relevant and regular communication that speaks to the adult learner experience, websites that are designed specifically for returning students, and personalized support that considers academics in the context of reaching personal and career goals.

Read the full article about adult learners by Terah Crews at Higher Education Dive.