Workforce Education and Literacy
Gulf Coast Career PathwaysInterested in Workforce and Bridge Post Secondary Education services? We look forward to working with you!
Workforce Education & Literacy services available to you are:
Bridge Post Secondary Education
A service program designed to provide adults with a strong foundation in core academic subjects mathematics, reading, writing, and science to prepare them for the GED exam and future post-secondary opportunities. This program targets individuals who test at or above the Beginning Education level according to the National Reporting System (NRS), helping them build the skills necessary to transition into higher education, vocational training, or career pathways.
Adult Education & Literacy High School Equivalency Voucher Program
About the Program
The Gulf Coast Workforce Board provides High School Equivalency (HSE) vouchers for customers seeking to obtain a High School Equivalency certificate.
Currently, there is only one vendor of the HSE exam approved by the State Board of Education to operate in Texas: GED Testing Service, which administers the GED exam. Test takers who pass this exam are issued a State of Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE).
The HSE exam, or the complete battery of the exam, comprises individual tests. The GED exam contains four tests: mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a resident of Texas.
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Lack a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID.
- State drivers license
- Department of Public Safety identification card
- Military ID
- Passport
- U.S. Passport card
- Matricula Consular
- School IDs are not accepted.
Complete the HSE Voucher interest form to be connected with a service provider.
Integrated Education & Training
A program model that combines adult education and literacy activities with workforce preparation and occupational training. IET programs are designed to be contextualized, meaning the academic instruction is directly tied to the skills needed in the workplace. This approach helps learners progress more quickly and effectively toward employment and career advancement.
Digital Literacy
A foundational program designed to equip students with essential digital competencies, including proficiency in key software applications and contemporary digital tools. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills that support academic success and future career readiness in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Family Literacy
An engaging program that fosters a love for reading and writing by making literacy a shared family experience. Through interactive activities and resources, families are empowered to support each other’s learning and build stronger educational foundations at home.
Financial Literacy
A comprehensive program that lays the foundation for a smart and informed relationship with money. Participants gain practical knowledge in personal financial management, budgeting, saving, and investing—empowering them to make confident financial decisions and build long-term financial stability.
Curriculum Resources
Digital Literacy for the Construction Industry
Mathematics for the Construction Industry
Language Arts for the Construction Industry
Gulf Coast Workforce Board WEL Consortium
The Gulf Coast Workforce Board Workforce Education & Literacy (WEL) consortium works with trusted service providers in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Colorado, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton, and Matagorda counties. These providers offer classes in Bridge Post Secondary Education, High School Equivalency/GED, and Workforce Training to help adults in our community continue learning and growing.
Click on a provider’s name to find out how to sign up for classes and who to contact with questions.
Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, and Brazoria counties are not currently served by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board WEL consortium. Please contact the service providers listed below for more information.
Providing services to the following areas: Harris, Fort Bend, Wharton and Matagorda counties.
HCC holds orientation sessions often at campuses in Harris and Fort Bend. New and returning students can look at the schedule and sign up for a class by clicking here: Adult Education | Houston City College (HCC) | Local Focus Global Reach.
If you have questions, call 713-718-5381 or email hcc.aelinstruction@hccs.edu.
Ready to Start Your Classes? Follow These Steps:
Sign Up for Orientation: Go to the HCC Adult Education website and choose a time to attend an information session: Orientation Registration Schedule | Houston City College (HCC) | Local Focus Global Reach.
Apply to HCC and Make Your Student Account: Fill out the online application and create your student account to get your Student ID.
Turn In Your Documents: Upload your ID and other needed papers using the MyOneFlow website.
Contact the Adult Education Office: After you finish orientation and turn in your paperwork, contact the Adult Education office to set up your test and get ready for class.
Providing services to the following areas: Harris, Walker, Waller and support additional Gulf Coast Regions counties which includes Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Montgomery, and Wharton counties.
The ESC Region 6 Adult Education and Literacy program offers free classes and training opportunities to help adults reach their goals — whether that’s improving reading and math skills, learning English, earning a GED, or starting a new career path.
If you are interested in starting classes, please call the Region 6 office at 936-435-8330 or email aelconsortium@esc6.net to make an appointment for orientation with the Testing Lead or Career Coach.
Ready to Start Your Classes? Follow These Steps:
Schedule Your Orientation: Contact the Region 6 office to set up your in-person orientation with the Testing Lead or Career Coach.
Come to Orientation: Go to your scheduled orientation to complete paperwork and take a placement test. Be sure to arrive on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you’ll need to reschedule.
Complete Your Enrollment: At orientation, you’ll fill out your enrollment form, turn in any required documents, and confirm you meet the program requirements.
Complete Assessment and Placement: You may be asked to take an assessment to help us understand your current skill levels. This ensures you are placed in the right class for your learning goals.
Start the Right Class for You: After orientation and testing, your scores will help decide which class is the best fit for you.
Providing services to the following areas: Harris County
San Jacinto College holds orientation sessions at campuses in Harris County. New and returning students can look at the schedule and sign up for a class by visting the San Jacinto College website. If you have questions, call 281-478-2734 or email adulteducation@sjcd.edu.
Prospective students must first attend an intake and screening session, where they learn about available programs and how to sign up for them. During these sessions, students can see when testing and registration will take place.
Assessments are scheduled based on the needs of each campus, and students are directed to the right testing and registration events for the class they want to take. This helps make sure they are placed in the right program for their goals.
Ready to Start Your ESL, Texas Opportunity High School Diploma Student, GED & High School Equivalency Classes, Internationally Trained Professional (ITP) and Career Pathways/Integrated Education and Training (IET)?
For more information about training courses, please call 281-478-2734 or email adulteducation@sjcd.edu.
Providing services to the following areas: Harris, Montgomery, Austin and Colorado Counties
Lone Star College holds orientation sessions often at campuses in Harris and Montgomery. New and returning students can sign up for a class by visiting the Lone Star College website. If you have questions, contact the Program Director at 281-260-3576 or email gcadulted@lonestar.edu.
Ready to Start Your Classes?
Schedule your appointment for in-person GED Testing/Orientation
Previous WEL Consortium Providers
Brazosport College provides Adult Education and Literacy classes for people in Brazoria County. For more information, click the button below, call 979-230-3600, or email adulteducationliteracy@brazosport.edu.
The College of the Mainland provides Adult Education and Literacy classes for people in Galveston and Chambers counties. For more information, click the button below, call 409-933-8294, or email adulted@com.edu.
The Harris County Department of Education provides Adult Education and Literacy classes for people in Liberty County. For more information, click the button below, call 713-692-6216, or email adult-education@hcde-texas.org.
WEL Non-Direct Consortium Providers
Starting July 1, 2025, BakerRipley and the Adult Education Center of Pearland will no longer serve as direct service providers. If you have questions regarding their services, please contact them directly. You may also reach out to the Workforce Solutions WEL Team using the email address listed on the left side of this page