Adult education and training

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS), a unit at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, funds no-cost basic educational services (ABE) for adults in Massachusetts. Here you'll find classes that can help you communicate better in English, increase your literacy skills, improve your math, acquire high school diplomas, explore career advancement, or prepare for college. An online course directory lets you search for classes and class schedules by site type, region, city, agency name, or the last name of the site coordinator.

Whether you want to make a successful transition into American society, need to develop your academic skills, or improve your English to prepare for employment, take advantage of English as a Second Language classes offered in Boston and towns throughout Massachusetts.

Many communities sponsor adult education and training; visit the Department of Education's website to learn more.

Use the online course directory to search for classes and class schedules by site type, region, city, agency name, or the last name of the site coordinator. Also find links to an adult literacy web sites and to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) funded programs and student websites.

Family literacy helps parents improve their literacy skills and the literacy skills of their children. In fact, national and international research documents an intergenerational transfer of parents' literacy to their children. Learn about adult and family literacy programs including Even Start, Head Start, and Early Head Start here.

General Educational Development (GED) tests give you the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma. This credential is recognized as a key to employment opportunities, advancement, further education, and financial rewards. There are five tests: Language Arts - Writing Skills, Language Arts - Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. The questions in each of these tests require you to use general knowledge and thinking skills. Learn more about the tests, test requirements, and how to prepare for them here.

Find a GED (General Educational Development) test center here. Enter your zip code/postal code and a list of nearby testing centers, with their street addresses, telephone numbers, and the distance in miles from the ZIP code you entered will appear. Thirty-three test centers operate state-wide to serve the needs of the adult population in need of a high school credential. Test centers are located throughout the state.

Massachusetts community colleges make higher education more accessible to a diverse student population by offering open enrollment (nursing programs excluded), convenient locations, affordable tuition, financial aid and student services. Search here for  a community college near you.

Massachusetts Colleges Online (MCO) is a consortium of the 15 community colleges and 9 state colleges of Massachusetts.

This section has information about trade programs, occupational skills training, JobQuest training, and more.

Find information on employment and training programs for veterans and National Guard members including job protection, veterans' status and preference, tax credits for employers and more in this Veterans' Services website section.

Low cost courses offered by HRD Training and Learning Development will put you and others on your team in the best position to achieve sustainable business results.

Find the apprentice program that fits your needs. 

Get training support and learn about the career resources available to you.  

Get help finding a job, preparing a resume or for an interview, and finding training resources.

Learn about education benefits for veterans, the Section 30 Training Opportunities Program, the Part-Time Grant Program and more.