College graduates and adult learners looking for jobs in high-growth industries can use a new resource designed by Penn State starting this summer.

A Web-based portal launching this summer will provide adult students and recent graduates with access to information about online certificate and degree programs.

Michael Lawrence, director of workforce development initiatives for the Penn State Office of Economic and Workforce Development, said he developed the portal as "an attempt to bring online learning into the mainstream of the nation's public workforce."

The ultimate goal of the program is to direct the workforce to respond to the specific labor needs expressed by individual states.

Melissa Kaye, senior editor of Penn State Outreach Magazine, said the program is different in that it focuses on local high-growth job opportunities.

"The goal is to help workers prepare for high-growth jobs in their regional economies," Kaye said.

"It's unique in that there are several national clearinghouses, but none are targeted to individual state workforce priorities," she added.

Though the program will initially be piloted in Pennsylvania, California, Mississippi and Colorado, Kaye said Lawrence's long-term goal is to expand the program nationwide.

Although it is targeted to adult learners, Lawrence said he hopes other groups will also benefit from the service.

"When do you cross the line between recent graduate and online learner?" he said. "It's really wide open, depending upon what each state wants to do."

The program will be jointly funded by individual states along with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic group that focuses on advancing science and technology, standard of living and economic performance and education and careers.

The online learning program represents a way to bridge the gap between educational institutions and the workforce, Lawrence said.

"We're looking at ways to better connect," he said. "Online education's come of age in the last 10 years. It is as good, if not better, than traditional training and education."

At least one Penn State student graduating next month said he sees the benefits of the portal program.

Ryan Delaney (senior-Spanish) said he hopes to join the Peace Corps next year but would consider using the portal in the future.

"Obviously, it's hard to say with so many 'ifs,' " Delaney said. "But yes, it certainly sounds beneficial on the surface."