They have the

training…

Why can’t they do the

job?

Workforce Readiness

How has the

workplace

changed over

the last 50

years?

• Technology

• Production moving toward

team approach

• Move toward multi skilled

workers (able to do various

parts of the process instead of

only one)

• Increased investment in

employees (looking for

“trainable” employees)

• Baby boom generation leaving

workforce

• Generation Y (born between

1978 – 1999) moving in

Current reality in the workplace…

new employees are not measuring up

“The future U.S. workforce is here – and it is woefully ill-prepared for the demands of today’s (and tomorrow’s) workplace. “

“When asked to assess new workforce entrants, employers report that many of the new entrants lack skills essential to job success.”

“Employers expect young people to arrive in the workplace with a set of basic and applied skills, and the Workforce Readiness Report Card makes clear that the reality is not matching expectations.”

• From “Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on New Entrants to the Workforce”

• Detailed survey of 431 human resources officials, conducted in 2006

What are these missing skills?

In Summary:Here is the foundation…

Basic Skills Thinking Skills Personal Qualities

-reading, writing, math, speaking, listening

-problem solving, knowing how to learn, decision making

- responsibility, self-management, integrity

Competencies (SCANS):

Resources Interpersonal Skills

Information Systems Technology

Allocating time, money, materials, space and staff

Working on teams, teaching, serving customers, leading, negotiating, working with people from diverse backgrounds

Acquiring and evaluating data, organizing and maintaining files, interpreting and communicating, using computers to process information

Understanding social, organizational & technological systems, monitoring and correcting performance, designing and improving systems

Selecting equipment and tools, applying technology to specific tasks and maintaining and trouble- shooting technologies

# 1

We

careIt’s what we

“sell”

Students attach more significance to learning that seems to directly relate to their success on the job

Area businesses are keeping track

# 2

Good news!!

= Intentionality

Don’t: revamp everything

Do: Draw attention to job readiness skills you use in your classroom

Do: Take teachable moments

Do: Increase awareness of what employers are looking for in a candidate

Research says:

A few ideas…

Encourage

problem solving

Use and refer to agenda

Address inappropriate email or weak handshake

Require group work/discussion

Encourage peer revision

A Chance to Reflect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuNJTeIN79Y(social studies lesson)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GsN5uwLEww(math lesson)

Use the checklist to mark which job readiness skills the teacher is addressing in class.

What does this mean for you?

What skills will you make efforts to either highlight or begin using in your classes?