More than 16,000 men and women in Massachusetts are on a wait list for adult basic education programs and English-language classes that could help them make the leap to college, a new job, or higher pay.
Governor Deval Patrick's office plans to announce Wednesday that it has chosen three local nonprofits to rapidly expand access to those programs, as part of a $15 million initiative fueled initially by outside investment.
"This is a critical need of the 21st century," Secretary of Education Matthew Malone said in an interview. "Many people have come here with broken educational experiences, so how do we get them ready for the world of work and the world of democracy? . . . Adult basic education, for us, is the great equalizer."
The program aims to trim the waiting list by about 2,700 people, according to state officials.
The Boston-area nonprofit Jewish Vocational Service will provide three years of services, including adult basic education classes, job training, and English-language programs, to about 900 adults each year, once contracts are finalized.
Social Finance, a nonprofit that facilitates public-private partnerships, was chosen to manage the project and raise the $15 million from investors. The group will subcontract with Jobs for the Future, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit chosen to support the educational providers.
The initiative is based on the Pay for Success model, also known as social innovation financing, which channels investors' money into programs that address chronic social issues at no initial cost to taxpayers. If a program is determined to be successful, the state repays the investors with interest.
In an earlier initiative, the Patrick administration launched a $27 million Pay for Success program in January to provide job training and outreach for young men on probation or exiting the juvenile justice system. Investors include Goldman Sachs and the Kresge Foundation.
The education expansion being announced Wednesday has a similar goal of helping people become employable. The wait list for adult basic education and language courses reached its current length because "the programs aren't cheap and they aren't free," Malone said.
The classes act as an economic engine, he said, and as a way to build a cycle of continuing education. As adults learn, they influence and teach their children.
"This is going to open doors; this is going to get people jobs; this is going to make people feel good about their lives; this is going to help parents help their own kids," Malone said. "The ramifications of this investment — you can't count them on 10 fingers."
Jerry Rubin, president and chief executive officer of Jewish Vocational Service, said he was excited to have the opportunity to expand his group's services.
"We've seen every year hundreds and hundreds of individuals who come through our employment classes who are able to get a first job, a better job, and who get launched on a track of self-sufficiency," Rubin said.
Patrick said in a statement the initiative will improve the lives of citizens for generations.
"By investing in innovative ideas and strategies to tackle challenging, long-term social issues, the Commonwealth is providing critical resources Massachusetts residents need to achieve future success," he said.
Claire McNeill can be reached at claire.mcneill@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @clairemcneill.