Research & Innovation

Barriers to learning prevent many adults from seeking the training or earning the degrees they want. These barriers can be financial, informational, or technological. Breaking them down requires constant learning, exploration, and development.

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) conducts research and creates innovative solutions to achieve the following goals:

Increase Self-Sufficiency and Promote Strong Communities

Through our activities, CAEL:
  • Creates better systems for connecting training to jobs
  • Offers an innovative model to help people save for ongoing education and training: Lifelong Learning Accounts

Empower All to Achieve Their Potential

To empower adults to achieve their potential, CAEL:
  • Conducts research to bring attention to the importance of adult learning
  • Convenes leaders in business, the public sector, higher education, and philanthropy to present one policy voice for adult learners
  • Devises innovative mentoring and advising programs to re-engage adults in education

Provide Access to Postsecondary Education

To make education systems truly inclusive, CAEL:
  • Conducts research and creates more efficient models to help adults attain degrees and credentials
  • Partners with postsecondary leaders and institutions to provide better service to adults in college

Offer Meaningful Work and Security to Older Adults

Through special initiatives, CAEL:
  • Identifies opportunities for older adults to build on their skills and experiences to secure meaningful work and attain economic security
  • Builds career paths to help older adults find second careers
  • Finds ways to leverage the experience of retirees to mentor others
  • Works to improve government programs for older adults
For more information about our research and innovations, contact us.