U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration Developing Career Pathways Systems: Six Key Elements R5 ETA ASTD Technical Assistance Forum

U.S. Department of U.S. Department of LaborLabor

Employment & Training Employment & Training AdministrationAdministration

Developing Career Pathways Systems: Six Key

Elements

R5 ETA ASTD Technical Assistance ForumOctober 17-19, 2011

Purpose

To share information on career pathways

To promote career pathways as a successful strategy in the workforce investment system

To provide you with resources and tools to help states and local areas develop career pathway systems

Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 2

Objectives

By the end of this session, you will be able to do the following:

Explain what a career pathway system is

Name the six key elements of a career pathway system

Identify some challenges in developing and implementing a career pathway system

Identify online resources and tools

Identify steps for helping states and local areas in your region develop career pathways


Agenda

Background and Context: Why Career Pathways?

Definition and Framework

Steps for Supporting Career Pathways in Your Region

Wrap-Up




BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:WHY CAREER PATHWAYS?


Vast Numbers of Unemployed Adults and Older Youth

As of the end of 2010, an average of 14.8 million Americans were unemployed.

Over 43% of them had been out of work for 27 weeks or more (long-term unemployed).

This is the highest percentage of long-term unemployment on record since 1948.


Many Needing Skill Upgrade

Many cannot return to their previous occupations because the jobs are gone (dislocated workers).

To transition to new careers, they will require new skills and industry-recognized credentials.

Some can return to their industry but have been unemployed for a long time and need to upgrade their skills or obtain new credentials.


Alarming Statistics on Education

14.8 unemployed in 2010

14.2 million were 18 years of age or older

54.9% have only a high school diploma or less


More Jobs RequiringBetter than High School

More jobs now require education and training beyond high school.

Year

Percentage of Jobs Requiring

Some College or Above

1973 28%

2007 59%

2018(projection)

63%


Advantage to Adults and Older Youth with Postsecondary

CredentialsThose with postsecondary credentials earn more and are more likely to keep their jobs.


In Summary

Vast numbers of unemployed adults & older youth.

Many of them need skill upgrade or new credentials.

Workers with postsecondary credentials earn more and are more likely to keep their jobs.

But adults/older youth often do NOT complete postsecondary training – particularly if they’re required to complete remedial or developmental education before earning a credential.


– especially those withlow skills and low education –

The Challenge

How can we help adults/older youth

get jobs with livable wages?


What is Needed

A system of support that will make it easierfor adults to complete their postsecondary

training and education and earn the credentials that will improve their

employability, increase theirsecurity, and boost their

earning power

What is Needed (cont.)

A systemic approach to education, training, and employment that focuses on supporting these unemployed adults & OY


What is Needed (cont.)

An alignment of programs and servicesacross the workforce, education, human

service, and economic development systems

to support these unemployed adults/OY and equip them with in-demand skills and

credentials


The term “career pathways” refers to a clear sequence of education coursework and/or training credentials that:

Is aligned with the skill needs of regional industries

Includes the full range of secondary, adult education, and postsecondary education options

Includes curriculum and instructional strategies that contextualize learning

As appropriate, integrates education and training that combines occupational skills training with adult education services, gives credit for prior learning, and adopts other strategies that accelerate advancement


The Answer: Career Pathways

Leads to the attainment of an industry-recognized degree or credential

Includes academic and career counseling, and support services

Is organized to meet the particular needs of adults, with flexible and non-semester-based scheduling, and the innovative use of technology


The Answer: Career Pathways

(cont.)


Key Achievement ofCareer Pathways

Help adults and older youth gain industry-recognized, postsecondary credentials and transition into new careers through:

Adult-centered program designs

Articulated service delivery models

Direct involvement of employers

Extensive use of labor market information in designing programs that focus on developing in-demand skills

Enhanced coordination of comprehensive services – from adult basic education, to occupational skills training, to career and academic counseling, to support services, to job search assistance

. . . But Do They Work?

Career pathways work! States and local areas with a career pathway approach have seen improvements in credential attainment and employment.

I-Best results

P/PV results

Capital Idea results




WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE CAREER PATHWAY

SYSTEMS?


Career pathway systems provide a clear sequence of education coursework or training credentials and have the following elements:

Six Key Elements ofCareer Pathway Systems


1. Build cross-agency partnerships & clarify roles

2. Identify industry sector or industry & engage employers

3. Design education & training programs

4. Identify funding needs & sources

5. Align policies & programs

6. Measure system change & performance

#1: Build Cross-Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles

Key cross-agency partners at the local and state levels are engaged to participate in the initiative.

Local team is formed to design, pilot, launch, and grow a local or regional career pathway system.

Partners are invited to design, craft, and implement a shared vision.

State team supports the local team with administrative policies and legislation to aid in local implementation and statewide growth. Senior state and regional leaders visibly support the initiative.


#1: Build Cross-Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles (cont.)

Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and formalized.

Create a leadership or steering committee to guide the development process.

Clarify and formalize roles and responsibilities of the following:


Workforce system

Economic development system

Education system

Human service system

CBO’s

Employers

Sectors and industries are selected and employers are engaged in the development of career pathways.

Determine labor market trends, skill development needs and opportunities, and employer preferences.

Select employers or industry representatives and plan how to pitch the initiative to them.

Plan how to work with employers in the different phases of the initiative (design, launch, operation, evaluation).

#2: Identify Industry Sector and Engage Employers


Career pathway programs provide a clear sequence of education courses and credentials that meet the skill needs of high-demand industries.

Provide a clear sequence of education courses and credentials that lead to postsecondary education/training and employment.

Design programs to accommodate individuals regardless of their skill level at the point of entry.

Design programs around high demand industries and career ladders that pay family-sustaining wages.

Support programs through state legislation and administrative policies for sustainability.


#3: Design Education and Training Programs

Key questions to ask: How will we . . .Incorporate & align secondary & post-secondary education elements?

Integrate & contextualize adult basic education & occupational skills training?

Chunk curricula into shorter programs of study?

Meet the need for flexible training & education options?

Include academic & CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression?

Integrate wrap-around services?

Ensure the program leads to an associate or baccalaureate degree or industry-recognized credentials or certificates at the postsecondary level?

#3: Design Programs… (cont.)


Necessary resources are raised and/or leveraged to develop and implement career pathway programs.

Identify resources needed to operate programs and core system components.

Program development

Professional development

Operating costs

Supportive services

Ensure state and local partners work together to raise and leverage funding from federal, state, local, and foundation sources.

#4: Identify Funding Needs & Sources


#4: Identify Funding Needs and

Sources (cont.)

What are your funding needs?

Curriculum development

Professional development

Operating costs

Supportive services

What funding sources should you explore?

WIA Titles I, II, & IV funds

Wagner-Peyser Act funds

Carl Perkins Act funds

TANF funds

State funds

Private foundations


Key questions to ask:

Federal, state, and local legislation or administrative policies promote career pathway development and implementation.

Local and state partners identify key policy and program changes and actions needed.

Partners actively coordinate efforts across the region and/or state and establish formal procedures to institutionalize system change.

Agencies and programs collaborate to provide professional development across organizations and systems.

#5: Align Policies and Programs


Key questions to ask:

How are career technical & academic programs linked (or not) at the community college? How can linkages be strengthened?

How does the eligible training provider list (ETPL) promote career pathway development?

How can One Stop and TANF service providers coordinate with each other in providing services?

What can be used to fund curriculum & professional development?

How can policymakers support the development of portable and stackable credentials?

#5: Align Policies and Programs (cont.)


Track effect of policy changes and program designs on participant outcomes

Arrange data-sharing agreements with key partners and employers, as appropriate

Design systems for sharing performance information to support continuous learning and improvement


#6: Measure System Change and Evaluate Performance

Career Pathways: Six Elements



HOW DO YOU START?


Initial Steps

Learn more about career pathways

Determine interest and commitment from key stakeholders

Form a steering committee

Define vision and goals

Assess readiness

Create action plan


Learn More:Current Career Pathway Initiatives

DOL-ETA Career Pathways TA Initiative

HHS-ACF’s HPOG Grants

DOEd-OVAE’s RPOS

Joyce Foundation – Shifting Gears

Ford Foundation – Career Pathways

Gates Foundation – ABE to Credentials

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions

TAACCCT (program designs)


Learn More:Career Pathways: Six Elements Framework

Learn More:Career Pathways: Readiness Assessment Tool

https://learnwork.workforce3one.org/page/home

Learn More:Career Pathways Community of Practice

Web Site

Additional Resources


WHITE PAPERS

“Career Pathways: Background Paper for a Discussion of How the Federal Government Can Support their Expansion,” white paper prepared by Rachel Pleasants and Mary Clagett for the Adult Learning Strategies Forum on April 19, 2010, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.

“Adult Learning Strategies for Workers in Transition,” white paper prepared by Ray Uhalde, Heath Prince, and Mary Clagett for the Adult Learning Strategies Forum on July 14, 2010, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.

“Credentials that Count: The Role of the Public Workforce System in Strengthening Credential Attainment Among American Workers,” white paper prepared by Pamela Frugoli, Mary Alice McCarthy, and Michael Qualter for the Adult Learning Strategies Forum on September 28, 2010, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.

LINKS TO MODEL CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAMS

“Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST): Washington State’s Career Pathway Initiative,” http://www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/e_integratedbasiceducationandskillstraining.aspx

“Higher Learning and Higher Earning: Oregon's Statewide Pathways Initiative,” http://worksourceoregon.org/index.php/career-pathways

“Regional Industry Skills Education: Wisconsin’s Career Pathways Initiative,” http://risepartnership.org/

“FastTrac Initiative: Minnesota State’s Career Pathways Initiative,” http://fasttrac.project.mnscu.edu/


Additional Resources (cont.)

LINKS TO MODEL CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAMS (cont.)

“Arkansas Career Pathways,” http://www.arpathways.com/home.html

“Capital Idea: Austin, Texas, Career Pathways Initiative,” http://www.capitalidea.org/academic_sponsorship/becoming_participant/career_research.html

RELATED STUDIES

“Charting a Path: An Exploration of the Statewide Career Pathway Efforts in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin,” prepared by Rosanna Perry Stephens, Seattle Jobs Initiative, May 2009. http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/pdfs/Career_Pathways_Report.pdf

“Underserved Students Who Earn Credit Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Have Higher Degree Completion Rates and Shorter Time-to-Degree,” research brief published by the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning, http://www.cael.org/pdf/PLA-Underserved.pdf




RELATED STUDIES (cont.)

“Washington State’s Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program (I-BEST): New Evidence of Effectiveness,” Working Paper No. 20 of the Community College Research Center , prepared by Matthew Zeidenberg, Sung-Woo Cho, and Davis Jenkins, September 2010. http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/Publication.asp?UID=805

“Tuning In to Local Labor Markets: Findings from the Sectoral Employment Impact Study,” published by Public/Private Ventures, 2010, http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/325_publication.pdf

Smith, Tara, Christopher T. King and Daniel G. Schroeder, Local Investments in Workforce Development: 2011 Evaluation Update, Austin: Ray Marshall Center, University of Texas, April 2011 (forthcoming); and Glover, Robert G. and Christopher T. King, “The Promise of Sectoral Approaches to Workforce Development: Towards More Effective, Active Labor Market Policies in the United States,” in Charles J. Whalen, Ed., Human Resource Economics.



RELATED STUDIES (cont.)

“Tuning In to Local Labor Markets: Findings from the Sectoral Employment Impact Study,” published by Public/Private Ventures, 2010, http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/325_publication.pdf

“Courses to Employment: Sectoral Approaches to Community College- Nonprofit Partnerships, Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Students Enrolled In Healthcare Career Training 2003-2009, Capital IDEA and Austin Community College Partnership, Austin, Texas,” prepared by Matt Helmer and Amy Blair, Revised March 2011, published by The Aspen Institute. http://www.aspenwsi.org/publications/10-015.pdf

TOOLS“Funding Career Pathways and Career Pathway Bridges: A Federal Policy

Toolkit for States,” October 2010, http://www.clasp.org/postsecondary/pages?id=0003


Resources: Contact Person

If you have questions or need some guidance:

Lori Crockett HarrisFederal Project Officer

Youth and Target Population SpecialistDepartment of Labor, ETA

[email protected]




Implementing Career Pathways

Implementing Career Pathways


Documents

U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration Developing Career Pathways Systems: Six Key Elements R5 ETA ASTD Technical Assistance Forum