Earn an Industry-Recognized Entrepreneurship Credential
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Certification (ESB)
AES Literacy Institute delivers a focused entrepreneurship and small business readiness program anchored in the industry-recognized Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification. Participants build foundational business knowledge, strengthen financial decision-making, and prepare for credential attainment through guided instruction and applied learning.
One Credential. Youth and Adult Pathways. Measurable Outcomes.
Youth ESB Pathway
A 12-week, cohort-based pathway designed for middle school, high school, and young adult learners. Participants explore entrepreneurship, build foundational business skills, and prepare for ESB credential attainment aligned with career and college readiness.
Adult ESB Pathway
An accelerated and flexible pathway designed to be completed in 8 weeks (or less) for adults pursuing career transitions, workforce re-entry, or self-employment. Participants focus on business readiness, income pathways, and ESB credential attainment.
Unlock Your Future
Experience the ESB Readiness Lab: Your Path to Success
The ESB Readiness Lab supports aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders with structured preparation for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification. Through guided learning, applied practice, and real-world scenarios, participants build the confidence and skills needed to move from ideas to opportunity and credential attainment.
How It Works
Enroll
Participants enroll in the Entrepreneurial / Small Business pathway aligned with their goals.
Prepare
Guided instruction, practice, and support build business knowledge and readiness.
Earn Credentials
Participants complete the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification exam.
Advance
This credential supports business launch, workforce participation, or continued education.
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Pathways
Participants develop foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business concepts that support informed decision-making.
Pathways are aligned to support credential readiness for individuals interested in validating their business knowledge and skills.
Learners engage in practical exercises and guided activities that connect concepts to real-world business and career contexts.
Ready To Get Started
Explore the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification pathway or connect with AES to learn how our programs support youth, adults, and community partners.
Outcomes We Track
We track outcomes that demonstrate real progress toward credentials, workforce readiness, and economic mobility.
Program Completion
Participants who complete the ESB readiness pathway.
ESB Exam Participation
Participants who take the ESB certification exam.
Credential Attainment
Participants who earn an industry-recognized ESB credential.
Business/Career Readiness
Participants who demonstrate business and workforce readiness skills.
Post-Program Next Steps
Participants who move into education, employment, or business pathways.
About AES Literacy Institute
We empower youth and adults with education and credential pathways that support career readiness, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic mobility.
Our programs are designed to meet learners where they are, combining practical skill development with clear pathways to credentials, workforce participation, and business ownership.
Our work has been recognized for delivering measurable outcomes and creating clear pathways to education, credentials, and employment. AES Literacy Institute is known for innovative programming, strong community partnerships, and a results-driven approach that helps learners move from preparation to opportunity. Click here to learn more.
Additional Credential Pathways (Coming Soon)
AES Literacy Institute is expanding its credential offerings to support multiple workforce and career pathways. The following credentials are currently in development and will be launched in future cohorts. Click on a tab to discover more information about our upcoming programs.
This pathway prepares participants with essential workplace and professional skills required across industries, including business, healthcare, technology, and service sectors. Instruction focuses on communication, professionalism, teamwork, digital fluency, and business fundamentals that support employability, career advancement, and entrepreneurship.
Participants develop practical skills related to professional communication, workplace etiquette, collaboration, problem-solving, and the effective use of common business and digital tools. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, helping learners translate skills directly into workplace performance.
Certification Preparedness
Participants will prepare for the following industry-recognized certifications:
- Certiport Professional Communication Certification (CCS)
Validates core workplace communication skills, including written and verbal communication, collaboration, and professional behavior in business settings. - Communication Skills for Business (CSB)
Focuses on effective business communication, interpersonal skills, and workplace professionalism used across corporate and entrepreneurial environments. - IC3 Digital Literacy Certification
Confirms foundational digital skills such as computer basics, online collaboration, digital communication, and responsible technology use in the workplace. - Intuit Bookkeeping
Covers foundational bookkeeping and financial concepts, including transactions, financial records, and basic accounting principles used in small businesses and organizations. - QuickBooks Online
Prepares participants to use cloud-based accounting software to manage income, expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting. - QuickBooks Desktop
Builds proficiency in desktop-based accounting software widely used by small and mid-sized businesses for financial management and reporting. - Intuit Design for Delight
Introduces human-centered problem-solving and innovation principles used to design customer-focused business solutions.
These certifications provide transferable credentials valued by employers across multiple industries and serve as strong entry-level or upskilling benchmarks.
Who This Pathway Is For
- Youth and adults entering the workforce
- Individuals seeking to strengthen professional and workplace skills
- Career changers and workforce re-entry participants
- Aspiring entrepreneurs building foundational business readiness
Outcomes
- Improved workplace communication and professionalism
- Verified digital, business, and financial readiness credentials
- Increased employability and job retention
- Strong foundation for advanced career or credential pathways
Click here to join the interest list for upcoming Business & Professional Skills credential cohorts.
This pathway prepares participants for non-clinical administrative roles within healthcare settings such as medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices. Instruction focuses on essential healthcare administrative functions, professional communication, patient interaction, documentation, scheduling, and compliance-related processes used in medical environments.
Participants build practical knowledge of healthcare office operations, medical terminology, record management, billing and coding basics, and electronic health record systems. Emphasis is placed on real-world application to ensure participants are prepared to operate effectively in fast-paced, patient-facing administrative roles.
Certification Preparedness
Participants will prepare for industry-recognized medical administrative certifications that validate core healthcare administrative knowledge and workplace readiness.
Planned credential preparation includes:
- Medical Administrative Assistant certification preparation
- Healthcare office administration and medical workplace readiness credentials
These certifications support entry-level employment and career advancement in healthcare administrative and support roles and provide a strong foundation for continued professional growth within the healthcare sector.
Who This Pathway Is For
- Youth and adults interested in healthcare careers
- Individuals seeking entry-level or transitional roles in healthcare settings
- Career changers and workforce re-entry participants
- Learners pursuing non-clinical, patient-support healthcare roles
Outcomes
- Foundational knowledge of healthcare office operations
- Preparedness for medical administrative credential assessments
- Improved employability in healthcare administrative roles
- Transferable skills applicable across medical and healthcare settings
Click here to join the interest list for future Medical Administrative Assistant credential cohorts.
This pathway prepares participants with foundational technology and digital skills used across today’s workforce, including business, healthcare, education, and service industries. Instruction focuses on core IT concepts, digital literacy, troubleshooting, and the effective use of technology tools required in modern workplace environments.
Participants develop practical knowledge related to computer systems, networks, cybersecurity fundamentals, data concepts, and digital productivity tools. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, helping learners build confidence in using, supporting, and managing technology in professional settings.
Certification Preparedness
Participants will prepare for industry-recognized technology certifications that validate foundational IT knowledge and digital workplace readiness.
Planned credential preparation includes:
- IT Specialist certifications in areas such as:
- Networking
- Cybersecurity
- Python
- JavaScript
- Databases
- Cloud Computing and Cloud Fundamentals
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
- Adobe Certified Professional (selected pathways)
These certifications provide transferable credentials valued across industries and serve as entry points for technology-focused careers, digital upskilling, and continued technical education.
Who This Pathway Is For
- Youth and adults exploring technology and IT career pathways
- Individuals seeking foundational digital and IT skills
- Career changers and workforce re-entry participants
- Learners preparing for technology-aligned roles across industries
Outcomes
- Foundational IT and digital workplace knowledge
- Preparedness for entry-level technology credential assessments
- Increased employability in IT-support and digitally enabled roles
- Strong foundation for advanced technology or specialized credential pathways
Click here to join the interest list for future IT & Digital Skills credential cohorts.
This pathway prepares participants for entry-level and advancement opportunities within the culinary and hospitality industries, including food service, restaurants, catering, and hospitality-related environments. Instruction focuses on foundational culinary concepts, workplace safety, customer service, and operational practices essential to success in food and hospitality settings.
Participants develop practical knowledge related to food preparation principles, sanitation and safety standards, kitchen operations, and hospitality professionalism. Emphasis is placed on real-world application to help learners understand industry expectations and perform effectively in fast-paced, customer-facing environments.
Certification Preparedness
Participants will prepare for industry-recognized culinary and hospitality certifications that validate foundational skills and workplace readiness within food service and hospitality sectors.
Planned credential preparation includes:
- Culinary Arts certification preparation
- Food safety and sanitation credentials
- Hospitality and customer service readiness certifications
These certifications support employability in culinary and hospitality roles and provide a foundation for continued skill development, specialization, and career growth within the industry.
Who This Pathway Is For
- Youth and adults interested in culinary or hospitality careers
- Individuals seeking entry-level food service or hospitality roles
- Career changers exploring hands-on, service-oriented industries
- Learners building foundational skills for culinary or hospitality pathways
Outcomes
- Foundational knowledge of culinary and hospitality operations
- Preparedness for culinary and food safety credential assessments
- Increased employability in food service and hospitality roles
- Transferable workplace skills applicable across service industries
Click here to join the interest list for upcoming Culinary & Hospitality credential cohorts.
This pathway prepares participants with foundational project management knowledge and real-world skills used across industries such as business, technology, healthcare, construction, and operations. Participants learn how to plan projects, manage timelines and resources, collaborate with teams, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Instruction focuses on practical application of project management concepts including project planning, risk management, scheduling, budgeting, and execution. Participants gain exposure to industry-standard tools and workflows used in professional project environments.
Certification Preparedness
Participants will prepare for the PMI Project Management Ready® Certification, an industry-recognized credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This certification validates core project management knowledge and serves as a strong entry point for individuals exploring project-based careers or advancing into leadership roles.
Who This Pathway Is For
- Youth and adults exploring project management careers
- Career changers and workforce re-entry participants
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and team leaders
- Individuals seeking a transferable, in-demand skillset
Outcomes
- Foundational project management knowledge
- Credential readiness aligned with PMI standards
- Skills applicable across multiple industries
- Increased career mobility and advancement opportunities
Click here to join the waitlist to be notified when PMI Project Management Ready cohorts open.
For individuals who need a high school equivalency before pursuing credentials, AES continues to offer GED support as a starting point toward workforce and credential pathways.
Industry Partners
Industry Partners
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