The Sandbox Group: A Statewide Collaboration Model for Online Career and Education Resources

1. The Sandbox Group: A Statewide Collaboration Model for Online Career and Education Resources 2011 Fall Careers technical education conference November 10, 2011 Thank you for joining us!

2. Agenda: • Introductions • What is the “Sandbox” and who plays in it? • What’s out there for my learners and me? • Contacts and Resources • Questions & Answers TODAY’S GOALS: When you leave here today we would like you to: 1. Know the basics of these online tools available for you and your learners. 2. Have the contacts to connect with these programs.

3. Presenters and Introductions: Pat Thomas: Southwest ABE Shelia McComb: ISEEK Michele Jersak: GPS LifePlan (Century College And MnSCU) Janet Flam: Gateway To Careers, Jewish Family and Children's Service Of Minneapolis Laura Nedved: MIRC Jen Vanek: Learner Web Melinda Ludwiczak: Melsa YingfahThao MN Programs of Study

4. From the beginning… *Southwest ABE, St. Paul Public Schools ABE, and WEST ABE along with ISEEK and local Workforce Centers received a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to build an online tool for working learners, helping them make career goals and create the paths to achieve them. All documents created for this tool can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/abecareerwebsite/ *Also included are St. Cloud and Willmar ABE programs.

5. What is the “Sandbox” group? The Sandbox group is a collaboration of systems creating tools to help our secondary and working learners find a career direction and a pathway to accomplish their goals. We like to think of the world we live in as one BIG sandbox. We are working together to make sure every door is the right door. We want to make sure everyone who comes through our door is at the right one even if it isn’t our own. Each of our tools and programs are unique and focus on helping learners gain education and careers.

6. In the last year the Sandbox has grown to include: These programs represent online tools available to working learners. Minnesota’s Working Learner projects are partially funded by the State, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and private foundations.

7. We Are StrivingTo: 1.Decrease duplicated efforts. 2.Cross agency lines and work together. 3.Include all who want to participate in the Sandbox group. The best service we can provide our customers is one that works together with other programs and finds the best tool for each learner.

8. Workforce Skills Gap Minnesota is facing a growing skills gap. “All Hands on Deck” Govenor’s Workforce Development Council, 2011 Policy Advisory

9. Why Online Career Based Tools for Working Learners? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines communication technology: as connection by way of "radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable." • Today’s jobs are requiring DIGITAL LITERACY more and more every day. • 96% of working American use communication technologies* everyday. • 62% use the Internet as integral to their work. • High speed internet access and online skills are critical for seeking, applying for, and getting jobs. Source: Digital Literacy Fact Sheet, US Dept. of Commerce, 5/13/2011

10. What’s out there…?

11. My MN Careers “I have a learner who has basic skills but is unfamiliar with why one should strive to advance in their career and education.” “I have a learner who has limited English skills or low literacy levels.” These learners are stuck in low-level, dead-end jobs and don’t have any career goals nor do they know why goals are important and why you should strive to achieve them.

12. MyMNCareers.org My MN Careers helps learners develop an understanding of WHY goals are important and how they positively influence your career and education at three learning levels.

13. Finish GED and Get a Better Job MyMNCareers.org 2-3rd grade reading level. Non-native speakers. Very simple interface with several images. Short, simplistic instructions. 4-6th grade reading level. Both native and non-native speakers. Learn English and Work Skills Transition to a Career or School • 7th grade reading level. • Career and education paths up to post-secondary degrees.

14. Other Features: • Audio Success Stories • Career Plan Exercises • Facilitator Resources • My Account: Allows for searches and pages to be saved (for intermediate and advanced levels)

15. “I have a learner or student who is preparing for further education or a career, and needs help planning how to start and where to go.”

16. GPSLifePlan.org GPS LifePlan helps learners look at several aspects of their lives (career, education, finance, leadership, and personal) to create an action plan and help them achieve their goals.

18. Provides a virtual three-ring binder • Allows more ownership for students • Can password protect areas and provide feedback • Can be shaped & polished for showcasing skills

19. Customized for Colleges

20. gpslifeplan.org/workforce gpslifeplan.org/mnscumilitary Versions for Various Audiences Learn more at 11:15 AM session in Board 1. gpslifeplan.org/secondary

21. Gateway to Careers “I have a learner who wants to have a career but is not sure in what industry and needs help exploring the possibilities.”

23. Gateway to Careers Use the Career Gateway to: Assess Yourself Explore 16 Career Clusters Research Education Options Locate Financial Aid Opportunities and Social Service Resources Apply to Jobs Connect with Placement Services

24. Gateway to Careers Who is our audience? First time job seekers Career changers People looking to match work skills, interests, and values to a new career Individuals requiring a more organized job search

25. Learner Web “I have a learner who is interested in working on career exploration and academic goals using an online tool with the help of a tutor or teacher.”

26. learnerweb.org Online framework for matching learners to plans that will help them meet their learning goals. Plans filled with free web-based resources, assessments, and portfolio space.

27. Tutor or Teacher Facilitated Tutors Tutors are used to scaffold learners’ access to technology Tutors help learners “learn to click” before we ask them to “click to learn” Teachers Learner Management Tool helps teachers keep track of learner progress Teachers use plans to increase intensity of classroom instruction. Face-to-face support important for learner persistence.

28. Learner Web Content Digital Literacy Computer Basics Internet Basics Email Internet Search Internet Security Facebook How to access to high-speed Internet How to find a computer Career Orientation Introduction to career concept Setting personal career goals Support for success on the job Access to specific local career pathways programming • Additional ABE • Citizenship • English Language • ABE Basic Skills • Transitions Content: • Accuplacer Prep • Intro to colleges • Prep for post-secondary vocational education programs. These learning plans are approved Distance Learning Tools in Minnesota.

29. Information about Learner Web www.learnerweb.org Learner Web Demonstration www.mndemo.learnerweb.org Questions jvanek@themlc.org Learner Web is currently available through ABE programs in these MN locations. Mankato Area Minneapolis NE MN Roseville St. Paul SW MN Implementation Sites ABE sites and WFCs and CBOs working with ABE programs.

30. Digital Literacy TrainingMinnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) “I have a learner who has never touched a computer or mouse.” “I have a learner who knows the basics, but doesn’t know how to use a computer to write a resume, search for a job or increase their level of education.” These learners are unable to submit an online job application, email an employer, or research classes to gain skills. They are unaware of and unable to use even basic online tools designed to improve their lives.

31. Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) Digital Literacy Training OBJECTIVES: • Help all adults with little or no computer skills in any of the five key areas: • Basic Computer Skills (mouse, touchpad, screen, keyboard) • Basic Internet Skills (how the Internet works and how to use it) • Basic Email Skills (create an email account, basic email use) • Basic Microsoft Operating System (how to use a computer) • Basic Word Processing (writing and formatting a simple doc) • Provide training that is contextual and self-guided: • Contextual training uses an online guide to teach learners to use the keyboard, mouse, touchpad and computer screen within the context of the guide’s own job search experience. • Allow learners to start work in the skills area they are lacking. • Downloadable resource documents with new vocabulary words and information about online practice sites. • Introduce learners to free existing online tools for job search and career exploration: • MnWorks.net, CareerOneStop.org, ISEEK.org, and many others. • Learning levels: • Adults with little or no computer skills in any of the five areas • Intermediate or higher ELL learners • Intended to be started in a location where someone can help the learner navigate to the training website, and be available to offer minimal assistance such as an adult education site, WorkForce Center, library or community education center.

32. Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) Digital Literacy Training Learn About Job Search and Career Tools Learn Computer Skills in 5 Key Areas

33. Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) Digital Literacy Training Includes Downloadable Resource Documents Easy to Navigate Learning Commons menu: www.bit.ly/mircmenu

34. ISEEK “I want to find a job in Minnesota in a tough job market.” “I am a student or adult learner and need help finding a degree or credential.” “I am a teacher, counselor, parent or advisor and I want my students/Learners/children to be successful in finding careers, education and jobs.”

35. ISEEK.org ISEEK helps Minnesotans to research, organize, and understand successful pathways to careers, education, and jobs that best fit each individual.

36. www.ISEEK.org OBJECTIVES: • Provide timely, accurate, reliable information to Minnesota’s job seekers, students and the intermediaries that support them. • With experts, serve diverse audiences to understand career and training options. • Counselors Parents • Ex-offenders Veterans • Recently unemployed Immigrants/Refugees • People with disabilities Low-income, low skilled • Bring together information from state agencies and partners in one placeand in ways that an average person can understand and use it. • Work with industry experts to help Minnesotans learn about how to be plan for and get jobs in • Technology • Manufacturing • Green • Energy • Healthcare • Work with local leaders to display the most recent information about education, careers and jobs is available by region on our regional web pages. • Promote digital literacy as required by Minnesota’s employers.

37. www.ISEEK.org • Explore Careers • Search Careers Tool (videos) • Assess Yourself • Skills & Interest Assessments tied to careers • Set Goals • Reality Check Tool • Research Careers • Growing & Emerging Careers • Plan Your Education • Search Education Tool • Explore Education Options • Prepare for College • Pay for College • Apply to College • Find a Job • Search Tool for Jobs, Businesses, Salaries • Explore the Job Market • Job Vacancies • Hot Jobs • Develop your Resume • Apply for Jobs • Interview & Negotiate • Manage Job Loss & Transition

38. For Instructors, Advisors and Counselors: • Videos (Career, Education, Jobs) • Webinars • Curriculum • Goal Setting Plans • Quizzes • Career Clusters Additional Features MN Careers Publication Print, Share, Save Blog News & Events (RSS Feeds) Newsletter/Announcements FutureWorks www.iseek.org/guide/counselors/index.html

39. MN Programs of Study “I have a high school student who is interested in a career and doesn’t know how which high school classes to take to prepare for that career.”

40. MNPOS.COM OBJECTIVES: • Programs of Study is a sequence of courses that are both required and elective that begin in high school. • This project provides contextual information to job seekers and students to make informed decisions about careers and education options. • Designed to support those from under-represented populations at various stages of life. • Simplified information on Career Pathways helps end users to explore career planning independently . • Promote the Career Clusters. • Connects Career Clusters with Programs of Study using ISEEK career profiles and education data. • Revamps ISEEK’s Career Clusters to include Career Pathways. • 79 landing pages with pathway definitions, pathways image, and links to occupations and programs of study. • New Career Cluster Interest Assessment. www.iseek.org/careers/pathways.html

42. MNPOS.COM

43. MNPOS.COM

44. Occupations link to ISEEK or O*NET profiles

45. *Job Now! “I have a learner who lives in the Twin Cities seven-county area and needs help with a resume or preparing for a job interview.”

46. Free online resume and interview coach • Available for metro-area public library customers • Log on from any computer and connect with your library bar code • Live sessions in English and Spanish • Resources for job search, career tips, resume, cover letter and interview • Available 1-11 PM, seven days a week Metropolitan Library Service Agency www.melsa.org

47. Free Technology training for building Job Skills • Free basic technology classes at metro-area public libraries • Instructors from the Science Museum of Minnesota, Computer Education Center • Check your metro-area public library for schedule • Basic Computer, E-mail, Internet, Word, Xcel and Power Point for Building Job Skills Melsa.org

48. Questions

49. Contact Information: Pat Thomas (My MN Careers): pthomas@starpoint.net Shelia McComb (ISEEK): Shelia.McComb@csu.mnscu.edu Michele Jersak (GPS LifePlan):michele.jersak@century.edu Janet Flam (Gateway To Careers): jflam@jfcsmpls.org Laura Nedved (MIRC – Digital Literacy): laura.nedved@state.mn.us Jen Vanek (Learner Web): jenvanek@moreliteracy.com Melinda Ludwiczak (Jobs Now! & Melsa): melinda@melsa.org YingfahThao (MN Programs of Study): yingfah.thao@so.mnscu.edu