State Policy Resources for Supporting Adults’ Postsecondary Success
In early November 2009, the National College Transition Network hosted the Policy Forum “Shifting Adult Education Policies to Support Postsecondary Success.” The Forum explored policy changes being pursued by six Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) to create pathways to postsecondary education and family-sustaining careers (“middle-skill” and high-skill occupations) for low-income working adults. These states are part of the Joyce Foundation’s “Shifting Gears” initiative, which was launched in 2006 to promote regional economic growth by improving the education and skills training of the workforce. Shifting Gears grew out of the recognition that many adults lack the skills and postsecondary credentials necessary to obtain the new jobs emerging in the wake of the decline of traditional Midwestern industrial and manufacturing sectors. The initiative is helping these states implement significant, systemic policy changes to institutionalize innovation in adult education, workforce development, and postsecondary education programs and to strengthen the connections among these various programs. Click here for other related resources:
Posted On :
11/20/09 01:13PM
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422
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89
Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative: Building a Green Collar Workforce in Chicagoland
This report describes the policy and economic environment today and serves as a tool for decision making about the future of the green collar economy in the Chicagoland region. It is designed to provide insight into the opportunities to build a strong green collar economy in the region.
Posted On :
11/17/09 12:41PM
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586
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341
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.
Posted On :
10/27/09 02:18PM
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415
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145
Middle-Skill Job Opportunities in the Metropolitan Chicago Region
The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago have issued the Middle-Skill Job Opportunities in the Metropolitan Chicago Region report which provides information on opportunities in middle-skill jobs in the metropolitan Chicago region. Middle-skill jobs are defined as those jobs that require some training and/or education beyond high school but less than a bachelor’s degree. The report provides information specific to the region’s middle-skill job opportunities, educational/training requirements, and anticipated earnings. This report builds on information presented in America’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs which examines issues related to the future demand for a middle-skilled labor force.
Posted On :
06/10/09 10:13AM
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571
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395
Economic Development-Workforce Development Linkages
Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (Seedco), a national nonprofit intermediary that works with local partners to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers, low-wage workers, and neighborhood entrepreneurs, has published a report that looks at initiatives aimed at linking economic development and workforce development. Using in-depth case studies of regions in three states, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Illinois, the report details opportunities-and cautions against pitfalls-commonly encountered by those attempting to link two complementary but very different systems. The authors found that these efforts have achieved varying degrees of success, and many programs have resulted in limited tangible outcomes.
Posted On :
06/10/09 10:11AM
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533
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222
Northwest Illinois Nursing Collaborative
Northwest Illinois Nursing Collaborative was formed to seek innovative solutions and implement procedures to help increase the quality and quantity of nursing graduates. The initiative seeks to identify and provide training slots for current incumbent workers in health care. This article describes the collaborative that combined the resources of WIBs, colleges, hospitals and foundations to train more workers as nurses and create more nurse training slots. Article also provides a link to a website that provides nursing courses on line.
Posted On :
05/08/09 01:03PM
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653
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348
Finance and Insurance Career Pathways Report - Chicago
The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago in partnership have released the Finance and Insurance Career Pathways publication. The report analyzes the F &I labor markets to identify common skill competencies and map existing and potential career pathways The report's findings suggest several opportunities for the public workforce system to engage with the industry in ways that can benefit employers, job seekers, and incumbent workers.
Posted On :
02/27/09 04:19PM
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812
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365
Coping with Layoffs: Current State Strategies for Better Rapid Response
This brief published by the John J. Heldrich Center Workforce Development in November 2008, examines state rapid response practices that are designed to coordinate the delivery of a wide array of services to displaced workers. It summarizes the efforts of several states, identified by national experts as having promising practices, in the service delivery, organization, and evaluation of rapid response activities. It highlights states that combine post-layoff activities with proactive layoff aversion approaches and worker transition assistance. Overview provides state workforce professionals additional tactics and strategies to consider for their state workforce systems.
Posted On :
01/29/09 09:21AM
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965
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370
Winning Job Opportunities - A Guide for the Formerly Incarcerated in Illinois
"Winning Job Opportunities - A Guide for the Formerly Incarcerated in Illinois" provides short, concise guidance on some of the best jobs in Illinois for ex-offenders or others who have been similarly involved with the legal system. In seven pages, the guide identifies the projected high growth occupations that also provide the most opportunities based on the educational level attained (i.e., short-, moderate-, or long-term on-the-job training, 1-2 years vocational training or college, and 4 years of college or more). The guide increases its usefulness to readers by also providing "helpful links" for easy access to possibly needed supportive services such as adult basic education (ABE) programs, the career information/workforce system, employer tax credits, Legal Aid, and financial assistance for education. Along with the Winning Job Opportunities guide, also available to assist workers in serving formerly incarcerated persons in Illinois is the state’s "Ex-Offender Employability Website". This site, a collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Chicago Jobs Council, was specifically designed, to bring together - in one place - the growing body of workforce resources available to those who assist ex-offenders. By providing links to increase resource accessibility, the Ex-Offender Employability Website can assist frontline, service provider staff to better understand their clients, work more effectively with employers, and help Illinois’ ex-offenders access all of the services and supports needed to achieve workplace success. Other related resource: Website http://www.ides.state.il.us/ExOffenders/
Posted On :
09/25/08 10:54AM
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351
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356
Chicago's Workforce Centers for Business
The Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Chicago Workforce Board have added two Workforce Centers to the WorkNet Chicago System - the Chicago Workforce Center for the Service Industries and the Chicago Workforce Center for Manufacturing. The Centers are designed to address the hiring and workforce needs of each respective business sector. The article describes the partners and services offered. The article identifies the key lessons learned to guide practitioners considering replication of a business center focused on an industry sector. For an overview of sector strategies go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/4733/info
Posted On :
07/31/08 10:24AM
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358
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179
Department of Labor's Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance
Department of Labor’s Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance The workforce community is reminded that the Department of Labor has announced the availability of a Web page offering a number of resources to assist those negatively impacted by the recent spate of floods in the Midwest. "We want to make information easily accessible and help quickly available to Americans affected by the devastating flooding in the Midwest," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "In addition to our toll-free telephone number, we've set up a Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance Web page to guide affected residents on unemployment insurance, personal safety during cleanup operations and many other helpful resources for workers and employers." The site provides specific links to Unemployment Insurance information for the residents of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Posted On :
06/20/08 12:30PM
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527
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258
Green Collar Jobs Initiatives
The high cost of energy and the growing awareness to limit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is creating a movement to "green" forms of energy throughout the United States and the world. Further, in 2006 alone, renewable energy and energy efficiency were responsible for $970 billion in industry revenues and 8.5 million jobs. The workforce development system can play a key role in this groundswell by building partnerships in the community that promote the development of "green" enterprises and provide the training and support needed to build a pipeline of skilled workers for these 'green-collar jobs. This article describes programs in Milwaukee, Chicago, Oakland, District of Columbia, and New York City that create economic and associated workforce solutions for this growing industry.
Posted On :
04/08/08 01:32PM
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1127
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846
Regional Technology Councils: A Strategy for Community and Economic Development
Regional technology councils assemble, energize, and empower those individuals and entities interested in pursuing technology-based economic development in their community or region. This paper, published by the Trent Lott Center, discusses the potential roles of Regional Technology Councils (RTCs) in community and economic development. Five RTCs are briefly examined. Four mechanisms of successful RTCs and recommendations for future research are provided. List of Technology Councils is on p.17 (Appendix A)
Posted On :
11/05/07 10:14AM
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606
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212
Development Finance And Regional Economic Development
This paper published by CFED shares current and promising practices that link innovation in development finance to the promotion of regional economic development that aims to raise incomes and wealth for low income people. It includes promising strategies underway to promote regional economic development through development financial institutions, as well as leading innovations in workforce development. It states that finance capital, though an important component, is best utilized within a context of complementary investments in workforce and entrepreneurship skills, infrastructure, education and other social services. The paper frames the connection between development finance and financial innovation, describes the current state of regional economic development practices and examines a number of options for the development finance field to facilitate and lead regional economic development strategi
Posted On :
09/11/07 09:34AM
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364
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198
Great Lakes Vital Signs
This paper, published by the Brookings Institution, seeks to inform and catalyze needed discussion among the Great Lakes region’s Governors; the business, civic, and political stakeholders that influence state policy; the region’s Congressional delegation and federal leadership; round a winning economic vision for the Great Lakes region. It describes the history, its economic position today and includes the challenges it faces and the assets it offers. The report identifies ways states in the region can strengthen their economies through collective action, joining together with federal partners in pursuit of an integrated state, multi-state, and national policy agenda that can contribute meaningfully to economic prosperity in whole Great Lakes region. Important report as it examines far reaching solutions, regarding human capital development, rebuilding infrastructure and urban centers, enhancing training and worker benefits and transportation, that cross state lines and demonstrates how the states in the region could work together
Posted On :
09/11/07 09:17AM
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446
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216
Social Impact Studies
Beginning with the premise that a significant reason for inner-city disinvestment is the economic market failure of the lack of good market information, Social Compact offers neighborhood market analysis services to local governments, community organizations and businesses looking to attract investment or to invest in inner-cities. Working closely with community and corporate leaders over the past decade and a half, Social Compact has pioneered an understanding of inner-city markets and created accurate, business-oriented profiles of these neighborhood markets through its Neighborhood Market Drilldown. Drawing on business disciplines and community strengths, these profiles have a strong track record of catalyzing sustainable, private investment which benefits communities and businesses alike. The result: safer, healthier neighborhoods in which to live and do business. Nine urban profiles are currently available at the link: Detroit, MI, Cleveland, OH, Chicago, Il, Harlem, NY Washington DC, Jacksonville, FL, Houston, TX, Santa Ana, CA, and Oakland, CA. Resource for specific data and recommendations for these cities and good source of economic data some of which are available for all areas.
Posted On :
07/27/07 09:41AM
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467
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324
Oakton Community College Radio Frequency Identification Certificate Programs
Two new certificate programs offered by Oakton Community College focus on the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for tracking and data collection through the supply chain, as well as in a variety of other applications. Currently, Oakton is home to the only community college lab designed to teach RFID principles. RFID uses radio waves to transmit data about products moving through the supply chain. The technology is used by large retailers. It is also used by the Department of Defense. Certificate programs are offered in RFID and Transportation, Warehousing and Logistics Management. The program provides hands-on experience in a simulated industrial warehouse environment to prepare students for opportunities in the workplace. Certificate recipients are able to develop an RFID deployment plan based on how the technology can be used by a specific industry.
Posted On :
05/24/07 10:47AM
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354
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168
Truman College’s Innovative Approaches to Addressing
As part of a statewide effort to strengthen Illinois' system of workforce and economic development, the Governor's Office and the Department of Economic Opportunity implemented the Critical Skill Shortages Initiative (CSSI). CSSI is designed to align regional workforce strategies with economic development to provide qualified workers for critical skill shortage occupations. In the metropolitan Chicago area, the Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago are responsible for management of this initiative. Truman College works in conjunction with the Initiative and with other area colleges to provide training in the areas of Health Care, and manufacturing. The college has also implemented a bi-lingual education program targeting Latino workers.
Posted On :
05/01/07 10:12AM
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418
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152
How to Portray What Your Business Offers Guide to making your "pitch" understandable by potential customers
These articles, published by the Illinois Technology Development Alliance in their publication The Entrepreneur Briefcase, provide important advice about how to quickly present your business, service or product in a way that captures the attention of the prospective customer and explain what you offer in a way that the customer understands and can relate to their own needs. The Entrepreneur Briefcase is a compendium of how-to articles for entrepreneurs written by business professionals, professors, and subject matter experts from technology, finance, legal, and marketing. A new article is added to the collection bi-monthly
Posted On :
04/17/07 10:19AM
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303
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176
Kankakee Community College Midwest Homeland Security and Natural Disaster Training Center
Kankakee Community College, in Kankakee Illinois, offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Emergency Management, currently available online. The program began in the fall of 2006. The curriculum is designed benefit regional law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical specialists, civilian organizations and labor workers. The courses also provide introductory training needed for those aspiring to work in the field of homeland security and emergency management. Upon completion of the AAS degree program, students may elect to move into a bachelors program and continue with advanced study at four year universities. In addition to the AAS in Emergency Management, the college offers a certificate option. The college plans to launch a regional training center that provides agencies, organizations and other entities access to homeland security education and training. Efforts are currently underway to finalized purchase of a designated building. The effort is in conjunction with federal, state and higher education partners. The concept grew out of a ten-year effort to provide emergency preparedness for the local community.
