New Publication on Career Pathway Models and Programs

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) and the National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) have released a joint publication, Thriving in Challenging Times: Connecting Education to Economic Development Through Career Pathways. This resource highlights successful career pathway models that create relevant, challenging learning environments for students and are designed to increase American employers' access to highly-skilled, qualified workers. Thriving in Challenging Times profiles 17 local and two statewide career pathways programs in multiple industry sectors, documenting the challenges, strategies, results, and business engagement each partnership has experienced.

The Workforce Strategy Center Releases New Report on Education Strategies for Disadvantaged Youth and Young Adults

The Workforce Strategy Center’s recent report, “Employers, Low-Income Young Adults, and Postsecondary Credentials: A Practical Typology for Business, Education, and Community Leaders,” highlights programs in 14 communities that are successfully addressing the challenge of providing disadvantaged youth and young adults with the technical and postsecondary education that may qualify them for skilled positions. Programs discussed in the report meet the following four basic criteria: Getting low-income youth and young adults postsecondary credentials that will allow them to enter and advance in career track employment. Working with employers in industry sectors important to the region’s economy. Maximizing employer roles and commitment. Demonstrating portability, scalability, and replicability. Programs discussed are based on a variety of models, including community-based organization models, community and technical college models, employer models, industry sector models, and social enterprise models.

Workforce Solutions 2009 Update

Since 2008, The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has disseminated 541 solutions through the Workforce3One innovative solutions project developed under the Community-Based Job Training Grants and High Growth Job Training Initiative. This flyer provides information on the 2009 Updates to these solutions.

Missouri Show Me JOBS Initiative

The state of Missouri’s Show Me JOBs initiative coordinates planning for stimulus funds, offers a Small Business Loan program and is targeting retraining to workers who have been laid off from the auto industry. The article is an example of a state quickly aligning new funds systemically with its workforce infrastructure and the article describes the Show Me JOBS initiative and Missouri’s Small Business Loan program.

Michigan’s “No Worker Left Behind

As the automotive industry has fallen apart amid a severe drop in global demand, and Michigan's 11.6 percent unemployment rate is now the highest in the nation. This article describes the "No Worker Left Behind" program operated by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth and its partners by the which offers 2 years of tuition for unemployed and workers who earn less than $40K/year. The goal is to transition these workers into knowledge based and green industries. Article provides an example of a state wide training program that is targeted to the unemployed and incumbent workers in shrinking manufacturing industries and describes a new program, The Michigan Energy Corps, created to create workers in green industries.

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Community-Based Job Training Grants (Round 4) Teleconference on Performance Reporting

On April 2, 2009 the Business Relations Group conducted a teleconference with Community-Based Job Training Grantees (Round 4) on Performance Reporting. In preparation for this call, grantees were encouraged to listen to a pre-recorded webinar titled: “1-2-3-4 9134 A Guide to Preparing your First Quarterly Performance Report”: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3000905433277743821/info The teleconference reviewed key policy guidance and themes, responded to questions submitted in advance of the call, and provided additional instruction for preparing and submitting quarterly performance reports. The following materials were referenced on the call: 1) General Reporting Forms and Instructions; 2) ETA 9134 Report-Form; 3) Frequently Asked Questions documents (5 total); 4) Supplement & Glossary; and 5) Grantee Guidebook to Performance Reporting.

Community-Based Round 4 “Ask the ETA Fiscal Expert” Teleconference Recording (Recorded March 24, 2009)

This is a recording of a teleconference conducted for Community-Based Job Training grantees and focuses on the financial management aspects of their Department of Labor grant. The following Financial topics were covered during the teleconference: Administrative Controls Match and Leveraged Resources Equipment Procurement Audit and Audit Resolution Facilities and Other Capital Assets Intangible Property In order to assist you on the teleconference, as well as when you are preparing your financial reports, below are two links that will take you to ETA Financial Form 9130. The first one is a direct link to ETA Form 9130 and its corresponding instructions. The second link takes you to the DOL-ETA Financial Reporting page where you will find information related to grantee reporting systems and how to access DOL's reporting system. http://www.doleta.gov/sga/pdf/9130_Basic_JUL08.pdf http://www.doleta.gov/grants/financial_reporting.cfm Prior to listening to the recording, grantees are encouraged to listen to the following pre-recorded financial webinars posted on Workforce3One: Financial Management and Match http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4887/info Leveraged Resources & Intellectual Property http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4886/info Grant Management Requirements http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4913/info Financial Reporting http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4904/info

Ford Motor Company Fund Next Generation Learning Communities’ (NGLCs) Best Practices: Resources

NGLCs use the 12 Best Practices as benchmarks to ensure that they are employing all the components necessary for effective change. We're thrilled that so many participants have submitted marketing materials and other tools to our Resource Library. Now, we've assigned a number of these downloadable resources to the Best Practices they support.

Ford Motor Company Fund Next Generation Learning Communities’ (NGLCs) Discussion Forum

The Next Generation Learning Communities (NGLCs), sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund provides a Forum and message boards as a way of speaking your mind, sharing your knowledge, and building your network.

Reinventing the Workforce and Bolstering the Economy through Career Academies and More Relevant High Schools

"Reinventing the Workforce and Bolstering the Economy through Career Academies and More Relevant High Schools," Cheryl Carrier, program director of 21st Century Education Programs for the Ford Motor Company Fund, introduces the series and discusses the talent shortfall facing today's businesses. Citing various research studies, she suggests reasons why NGLCs and CTE networks are quickly becoming a key component of companies' talent acquisition strategies, as well as the key to economic recovery and revitalization.

The Financial Benefits of Career Academies

"The Financial Benefits of Career Academies," Rick Delano, a member of the Ford PAS Advisory Team, : "The Financial Benefits of Career Academies,” Rick Delano, a member of the Ford PAS Advisory Team, explores the cost and benefits of the career academy model.

The Ford PAS NGLC Thought Leaders Series

This series of monthly articles by leaders in the field of Next Generation Learning locates NGLCs in a broader cultural context. Every other month, advisory team members, partners, and friends offer a highly readable, short, collectible essay that will: Distill analyze, and report on new research and trends Advance Ford PAS and NGLC concepts and philosophies Track the many accomplishments of the Ford PAS programs throughout the nation Provide you with content on important issues you can easily share with members of your community

Ford PAS Video Interviews

Next Generation Learning Communities (NGLCs) supported by the Ford Motor Company Fund are regional alliances of K–12 schools, businesspeople, postsecondary educators, and community leaders, mobilized to reform education and stimulate local economic development. Watch and listen to this growing collection of brief and entertaining yet information-packed video perspectives, from experts on Ford PAS and Next Generation Learning. Besides being full of tools and ideas for frontline NGLC participants, each of the 15 videos currently available is a great introduction to Ford PAS NGLCs for the uninitiated.

Report: Job Opportunities for the Green Economy: A State-by-State Picture of Occupations that Gain from Green Investments

Job Opportunities for the Green Economy: A State-by-State Picture of Occupations that Gain from Green Investments, a report released in June from the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, examines 12 states and the people employed in occupations affected by six green economic strategies: building retrofitting, mass transit, energy-efficient automobiles, wind power, solar power and cellulosic biofuels. Sponsored by NRDC as part of the Green Jobs for America campaign, the report shows millions of U.S. workers will benefit from a movement to defeat global warming and transform the United States into a green economy.

Looking to the Future: Missouri Targeted Industry Clusters

The Missouri Department of Economic Development identified eight "Industry Clusters" for targeting based on research provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), existing initiatives, industry strength, and future growth potential. Through the consistent use of cluster definitions, important information can be gained on regional employment concentrations, staffing patterns, employers, and leading firms; and, issues can be addressed in a coordinated manner that strengthens target industries with regards to skills, education, recruitment, and incentives. Following these guidelines, Missouri has published award winning targeted industry cluster reports on Agribusiness, Automotive, Defense/Homeland Security, Energy, Finance, Information Technology, Life Sciences, and Transportation/Logistics.

The Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium

Eastern Arkansas has experienced an influx of automotive and advanced manufacturing plants. To capitalize on the economic development opportunity a consortium of firms and colleges have collaborated on developing curriculum and learning opportunities for high school students, adult learners, incumbent workers and unemployed individuals. Article portrays a regional training initiative that is business driven and aligned with the current and long term workforce development needs of the community

CARCAM Helps Train Skilled Workers to Meet a Growing Need in Alabama

In response to the need for skilled workers in Alabama, a consortium of five community colleges developed a certificate and degree program designed to train qualified personnel. Training prepares multi-skilled workers with the ability to troubleshoot and minimize downtime in the manufacturing process. The Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing (CARCAM), received federal ATE funding to establish a standardized two-year Automotive Manufacturing Technology program, and brought together industry leaders, community colleges and the workforce development partners of the Alabama College System to develop programs that will produce the skilled workers needed to fuel the growth of the state's auto industry. Training is available to both incumbent workers and new students. The degree program, developed in collaboration with the Alabama Automobile Manufacturing Association, has a common core curriculum, but allows each college to customize electives to meet industry needs in their geographic area.

Auto Collision Repair Technology Program, Bellingham Technical College

The field of collision repair is experiencing tremendous technological change with modern unibody vehicles, on-board computers, power conveniences, air bags, and a variety of new plastic components. Bellingham Technical College (BTC) offers both a degree and certificate program in Auto Collision Repair Technology. In operation for over 40 years, the program prepares students for employment in the auto collision repair and refinishing industry. The program's longevity attests to BTC's recognized leadership in providing relevant training for workers in the automotive industry. Training is also offered as part of the college's Summer Institute for High School Educators. A three hour workshop assists high school instructors practice basic auto collision repair skills as used in the automotive industry.

Education, Training Help Bring in New Chrysler Plant

This article from the American Association of Community Colleges and the Community College Times, describes how St. Clair County Community College in Michigan used its educational resources to convince DaimlerChrysler to build a new $366 million plant in the college’s area. With community grants totaling $500,000, the community college agreed to create and implement an associate-degree training program for the new plant and its expected 1,000 employees.