Northeast Community College’s Adult Education program has expanded its partnership with Empirical Foods of North Sioux City, South Dakota, continuing English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction while adding customized Workplace Literacy programming to support employee safety, communication, and career advancement.
The Workplace Literacy program is designed in collaboration with Empirical Foods to address specific workforce needs through job aligned instruction. The first cohort launched in November 2024 and concluded in June 2025, with 16 employees completing the program and achieving 59 documented milestones related to workplace communication and safety. On average, participants who completed the program earned nearly a $2 per hour wage increase. A second cohort began in September 2025 and is currently underway.
Instruction focused on safety vocabulary, job specific communication, and applied English language skills, with expanded efforts now including workplace digital literacy. Program outcomes were evaluated using measurable goals tied to employee performance, safety, and skill development.
“This partnership is a strong example of how education and industry can work together to strengthen the workforce,” said Emily Duncan, director of adult education at Northeast Community College. “By aligning instruction with the workplace, employees gain skills that improve communication, reinforce safety, and support career growth.”
“Through our partnership with Northeast Community College, Empirical’s Workplace Literacy Program has delivered meaningful results for our employees and our operation,” said Gary Evans Murphy, training manager at Empirical Foods. “Participants improved their understanding of safety policies, worksite equipment, and digital skills while building confidence to grow in their roles.”
Northeast’s Workplace Literacy program provides customized instruction delivered onsite or in flexible formats and may include English language development, reading, writing, math, and digital literacy aligned with specific job tasks. Programs are tailored in collaboration with employers to enhance communication, productivity, and safety.
The college’s goal is to offer at least one Workplace Literacy program at each Northeast location within the next year, supporting employers seeking to upskill employees or strengthen workforce readiness.
