Developing Career Pathways Systems: Six Key Elements

1. Developing Career Pathways Systems: Six Key Elements R5 ETA ASTD Technical Assistance Forum October 17-19, 2011

2. 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 1

3. 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 2

4. Agenda • Background and Context: Why Career Pathways? • Definition and Framework • Steps for Supporting Career Pathways in Your Region • Wrap-Up Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 3

5. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: WHY CAREER PATHWAYS? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 4

6. 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 5

7. 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 6

8. 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 7

9. More Jobs RequiringBetter than High School • More jobs now require education and training beyond high school. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 8

10. Advantage to Adults and Older Youth with Postsecondary Credentials • Those with postsecondary credentials earn more and are more likely to keep their jobs. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 9

11. 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 10

12. The Challenge – especially those with low skills and low education – How can we help adults/older youth get jobs with livable wages? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 11

13. What is Needed A system of support that will make it easier for adults to complete their postsecondary training and education and earn the credentials that will improve their employability, increase their security, and boost their earning power

14. What is Needed(cont.) A systemic approach to education, training, and employment that focuses on supporting these unemployed adults & OY Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 13

15. What is Needed(cont.) An alignment of programs and services across the workforce, education, human service, and economic development systems to support these unemployed adults/OY and equip them with in-demand skills and credentials Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 14

16. The Answer: Career Pathways • 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 15

17. The Answer: Career Pathways(cont.) • 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 16

18. 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 17

19. . . . 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 18

20. WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE CAREER PATHWAY SYSTEMS? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 19

21. Six Key Elements ofCareer Pathway Systems • Career pathway systems provide a clear sequence of education coursework or training credentials and have the following elements: • Build cross-agency partnerships & clarify roles • Identify industry sector or industry & engage employers • Design education & training programs • Identify funding needs & sources • Align policies & programs • Measure system change & performance Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 20

22. #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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 21

23. #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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 22

24. #2: Identify Industry Sector and Engage 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). Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 23

25. #3: Design Education and Training Programs • 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 24

26. #3: Design Programs… (cont.) • 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? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 25

27. #4: Identify Funding Needs & Sources • 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 26

28. #4: Identify Funding Needs and Sources(cont.) • What are your funding needs? • Curriculum development • Professional development • Operating costs • Supportive services Key questions to ask: • 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 27

29. #5: Align Policies and Programs • 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 28

30. #5: Align Policies and Programs (cont.) • 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? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 29

31. #6: Measure System Change and Evaluate Performance • 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 30

32. Career Pathways: Six Elements

33. HOW DO YOU START? Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 32

34. 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 33

35. 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) Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 34

36. Learn More:Career Pathways: Six Elements Framework

37. Learn More:Career Pathways: Readiness Assessment Tool

38. Learn More: Career Pathways Community of Practice Web Site https://learnwork.workforce3one.org/page/home

39. 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 38

40. Additional Resources (cont.) 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/ Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 39

41. 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 40

42. Additional Resources (cont.) 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. Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 41

43. Additional Resources (cont.) 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 Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 42

44. Resources: Contact Person • If you have questions or need some guidance: Lori Crockett Harris Federal Project Officer Youth and Target Population Specialist Department of Labor, ETA harris.lori@dol.gov Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 43

45. Implementing Career Pathways

46. Implementing Career Pathways Thank You! Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 45