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Institute offered in partnership with
Online Entrepreneurship Institute
for Adult Educators & Service Providers
Part A:
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Sept 16 – Nov 22, 2024
25 Hours of Professional Development (5 Weeks)
5 Zoom Classes, Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00pm ET*
Sept 17, Oct 1, 15, 29, Nov 12
**Class recordings are also available.
PART A TOPICS
Types of Entrepreneurship
Workplace Intrapreneurship
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Entrepreneur Self-Assessment
Problem-Solving & Research
Entrepreneurial Pathways
Business Opportunity Recognition
Innovation & Design Thinking
Lean Canvas
Lean Startup
Part B:
Business Plan
Jan 20 – Mar 28, 2025
30 Hours of Professional Development (5 Weeks)
5 Zoom Classes, Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00pm ET
Jan 21, Feb 4, 18, Mar 4, 18
**Class recordings are also available.
PART B TOPICS
Business Plan
Competitive Analysis
Marketing & Branding
Operations & Resources
Management & Networking
Start-up Costs & Funding Sources
Accounting & Financial Statements
Business Structures & Taxes
Risk Mitigation
Elevator Pitch
Using experiential learning theory and a free field-tested curriculum,
adult educators and service providers simultaneously learn entrepreneurship content and instructional best-practices by reviewing classroom-ready resources and completing Institute assignments that they can turnaround and use with their adult learners with little to no further preparation.
Certified Entrepreneurship
Educator Credential,
Certificate of Completion
and Digital Badge included
400+ Free, online resources
for teaching entrepreneurship
(articles, videos, podcasts,
lessons, textbook, PPT, etc.)
Real-world context for teaching
HSE academic subjects
(math, English, science, social studies)
while developing workplace readiness skills
National Zoom breakout groups
for WIOA and cross-state/agency
collaboration, lesson planning,
and networking
Put HSE and workforce skills to work (literally) for your adult learners!
Entrepreneurship is an excellent multidisciplinary, real-world context for teaching literacy, basic skills, and HSE core academic subjects (English, math, social studies, science) while simultaneously developing workforce-based skills. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset (opportunity recognition, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovation, adaptability, initiative, collaboration, etc.) prepares individuals to also become better employees in any career field (intrapreneurship) and solve community problems (social entrepreneurship). Entrepreneurship also seamlessly integrates across workforce development programs and optimizes engagement by unleashing individual potential to pursue unique interests, hobbies, and passions in the new Innovation/Gig Economy. Self-employment is a real “game-changer” for disenfranchised individuals living in impoverished areas because it offers freedom, hope, and empowerment via more personally fulfilling career options while capitalizing on and affirming existing skills and talents. Important life skills are also developed (intrinsic motivation, growth mindset, resourcefulness, resiliency, calculated risk-taking, agency, etc.) by starting simple “side hustles” requiring minimal start-up costs to earn additional income that may lead to full-time careers.
Using experiential learning theory and a free field-tested curriculum, Institute participants simultaneously learn basic entrepreneurship content and instructional best-practices by reviewing classroom-ready resources (news articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, textbooks, lessons, PPT slides, test bank, etc.) and completing assignments that they can turnaround and use with their adult learners with little to no further preparation. The Institute content is extremely flexible and accessible to a variety of adult programs and easily customizable to organizational missions and target populations. Online modules are mostly self-paced and live Zoom classes feature introductions to supportive community resources, grassroots entrepreneurs who share “lessons learned,” and breakout groups for WIOA and cross-state/agency collaboration, resource sharing, and planning. Practical module assignments result in a collection of co-created lessons and workforce-based activities (Part A) and a business plan first draft (Part B) to inspire creative strategies for high quality education and employment outcomes.
Participants may complete both Part A and Part B in any order for COABE Certification or just complete either Part for professional development hours. COABE Entrepreneurship Educator Certification, Certificate of Completion, and Digital Badge included.
NOTE: This Institute is aligned with the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination, equipping adult educators and service providers with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources that they need to prepare adult learners to pass the exam. Details and the free Exam Manual linked here.
$550
for both PARTS A & B
$275 for Part A or Part B
55 Hours of Professional Development
Or optional 3-hours of undergraduate or graduate credit available
Who Should Attend?
Any adult service provider who works in adult education, basic skills and HSE programs, literacy organizations, workforce development, career coaching, employment centers, social services, aging and vocational rehabilitation, benefits/work incentives, disability services, corrections, veterans affairs, American Job Centers, Goodwill Industries, United Way, immigrant services, disenfranchised youth programs (alternative education, juvenile justice, Job Corps, etc.), foster care, substance recovery programs, homelessness aide, community colleges, and other like-minded nonprofit and government organizations. Separate programs available for secondary teachers.
INSTITUTE VIDEO TESTIMONIALS
Jordan Reaves
Student Success Specialist
Community College Preparatory Academy
Washington DC
Institute Success Stories
Ms. Lynn Thompson, Program Manager
Hospitality & Business Career Pathways
International Institute of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
We launched our Entrepreneurship class in January, 2024. It was an 8-week class that I wrote the curriculum for based on the material that I received from the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute.
I just wanted to say thanks for all the resources you provided and all the work you have done to make this kind of education possible. All our students are extremely grateful as well!
At the end of the class, the students gave their business pitches to a panel of SCORE volunteers. It was an amazing group and a fun class to teach. Our Career Advancement Specialist will continue to work with these graduates as they work towards their business goals. We plan to have our second cohort start in May.
Last week, we graduated 13 students who all passed the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination. In a class evaluation, 100% of the adult learners said that they were prepared for the exam (the Practice Exam helped), and 100% also said that the certification was important to them.
Zaman offers entrepreneurship classes to underserved women who were trying to adapt to a new culture, allowing them to use their past technical know-how and apply it in a foreign country while understanding what it takes to own a small business in the United States. Participants are not only taught how to start a business; they are equipped with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace and world.
The COABE Institute was a stepping stone in the advancement of our program. The resources that were given to us elevated our ESL participants’ success beyond measure and offered our program a more structured curriculum with vetted activities. Institute collaboration with other adult educators nationwide was also beneficial. Our 14-week program now utilizes a more holistic approach including interactive workshops, hands-on projects, and real-world simulations. The capstone project is a “Mini Shark Tank Competition” judged by professionals in the field. The U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination is the culminating program credential.
We are very proud of our small business owners whose resilience is inspirational. Entrepreneurship is a beacon of hope where women can be empowered, realize their potential, and transform their dreams into reality.
Ms. Rania Khalil, Workforce Development Coordinator & Entrepreneurship Trainer
B.O.O.S.T. Program (Building Ongoing Opportunities Through Skilled Training)
Zaman International
Inkster, Michigan
Ms. Wendy Klatt
ESL Content Specialist & Instructor
Township High School District 113 Adult Education
Highland Park, Illinois
https://www.dist113.org/domain/21
The creation and implementation of the Entrepreneurship Bridge Course has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. Fall 2024 marked the completion of our first cohort of 11 students, and I am incredibly proud that every single student passed the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Exam. Watching these adult ESL learners gain confidence, apply their entrepreneurial skills, and achieve this milestone has been inspiring and a true testament to the value of this program.
Much of the online course success can be attributed to the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute, which provided me with the tools and knowledge necessary to design and deliver the curriculum effectively. Dr. Cheryl Ayers’ materials and unwavering support played a pivotal role in my preparation. The resources were comprehensive and practical, ensuring I was fully equipped to guide my students toward success.
I would also like to recognize the vision and forward-thinking leadership of my program manager, Ms. Reni Mitkova, who sent me to the COABE Institute with the goal of offering this new course to our adult learners to empower them to achieve their professional and personal endeavors.
COABE WEBINARS
Top 10 Reasons to Integrate Entrepreneurship Education & Certifications Across Adult Education Programs
Entrepreneurship Bridges & IETs for the Innovation & Gig Economy
Success Stories – Integrating Entrepreneurship in ABE/ESOL Programs