Central Texas Student Futures Project
The Central Texas Student Futures Project is a research partnership of the Ray Marshall Center at the University of Texas and a growing number of Central Texas independent school districts (ISDs). The Project seeks to provide ISDs, postsecondary institutions, and employers with comprehensive, longitudinal research on what high school students are doing after graduation; why they are making these decisions; and how a variety of educational, personal, and financial factors are related to their success in higher education and in the workforce. The Project also offers workshops, seminars, and applied research on best practices and applied research that assist ISDs, Texas’ Regional Education Service Centers, and postsecondary institutions in increasing the number of regional youth who obtain postsecondary academic and workforce credentials. Related Resources:Leveraging Postsecondary Partners to Build a College-Going Culture: Tools for High School-Postsecondary PartnershipsInside Higher Ed College Counselors for AllPartners in Career ExplorationThe Economic and Workforce Case for Regional Career Academy Strategies
Posted On :
12/08/09 11:46AM
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487
/Downloads :
96
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.
Posted On :
10/27/09 02:30PM
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629
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209
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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408
/Downloads :
142
Texas Skills Development Fund
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) encourages Texas employers to take advantage of $90 million available to help Texas workers and job seekers gain valuable workplace skills. Appropriated by the Texas Legislature for the 2010-2011 biennium, the Skills Development Fund will provide customized training programs designed through the collaborative efforts of TWC, private sector employers and public community and technical colleges.
Posted On :
08/31/09 01:31PM
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765
/Downloads :
394
National Manufacturing Institute Funds Pilot Programs
With a recent $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation, the National Manufacturing Institute (NMI) is funding four manufacturing pilot projects. Four community colleges from states across the U.S. have been chosen to test a national project designed to provide industry-recognized credentials to prepare students for advanced manufacturing careers. The grant funds will focus on low-income young adults and transitioning workers. Project partners include ACT, the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, the American Welding Society, the National Institute of Metalworking Skills and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Other Related Resource: Competency Model for Advanced Manufacturing at http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?HG=Y
Posted On :
08/31/09 01:23PM
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606
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340
Alternative Incarceration Center
One of the most difficult populations to serve are individuals with criminal records. Smith County, Texas created the Alternative Incarceration Center (AIC) to provide employment development, rehabilitation and substance abuse counseling/treatment to individuals as an alternative to jail. This article describes the holistic program services and intense participant selection and monitoring practices which are key to the program’s success.
Posted On :
07/27/09 10:27AM
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656
/Downloads :
300
Austin Green Job Task Force Initiative Report
In February 2009 the Austin Chamber of Commerce began efforts to coordinate a community-wide approach to green job education and training. The Chamber’s Business Retention & Expansion team coordinated a “Green Job” Task Force to coordinate regional workforce training issues for the Austin and Round Rock areas of the state around the numerous opportunities in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. This Task Force report is a Community Roadmap that identifies, defines and sizes green collar job opportunities specifically for the Austin region. Although the data contained in the report is geographically-specific, the featured strategies and plans may serve as models for the many communities and regions with similar circumstances.
Posted On :
07/16/09 11:20AM
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837
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356
Alamo Area Academies
This article describes the partnerships, service model of the Alamo Area Academies which is operated by area community colleges. The program offers HS juniors and seniors industry specific training, an industry paid internship and allows the students to continue their traditional HS career in their neighborhood. Example of a successful industry based model targeted to a High School population.
Posted On :
07/07/09 11:55AM
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408
/Downloads :
123
(Podcast) Effective Use of Assessment Tools: Sharing Challenges and Successes
This Podcast offers a glimpse into the Webinar moderated by Pam Frugoli, who will be talking with Jason Moreno, Joe Franklin, and Mike Kennedy on “Effective Use of Assessment Tools: Sharing Challenges and Successes.” This initiative is part of the Employment and Training Administration's on-going dialogue regarding transforming One-Stop service delivery, and in an effort to identify specific needs and/or promising practices regarding the use of assessments this is an interactive discussion highlighting information from “Testing and Assessment: A Guide to Good Practices for Workforce Investment Professionals.” Please review the actual Webinar recording on Workforce3One for a more in depth review of this Webinar. Related Resources: Complete webinar recording: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5324/info Presentation: http://www.workforce3one.org/view/1946/info
Posted On :
05/12/09 11:10AM
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2121
/Downloads :
962
Houston’s Pink Slip Party
The current economic swoon has created an even lager pool of available candidates to fill a shirking pool of available jobs. In Houston, Texas the Gulf Coast Workforce Center is trying something new to make the connection between employers and job seekers. This article describes networking event designed to link job seekers with employers. It also offers some tips for job seekers.
Posted On :
03/06/09 01:10PM
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979
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574
Green Jobs Workforce Training Program Detroit
Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) has developed a Green Jobs Workforce Training Program, approved by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and accredited through Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. The organization is part of a consortium that includes the Environmental Justice Resource Center (Clark Atlanta University) and the Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund (L-AGC). The goal of the consortium is to deliver job training skills for the emerging Green Economy
Posted On :
03/05/09 11:22AM
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1351
/Downloads :
619
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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957
/Downloads :
367
The Skills Imperative: How Career and Technical Education Can Solve the U.S. Talent Shortage
Because of the growing need of increased skill levels requiring more math, science, communications, and problem-solving skills, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for a Competitive Workforce has published a white paper on career and technical education (CTE). This report outlines the economic context of CTE, the opportunities for the business community to get engaged, case studies and examples where CTE is part of a skill-attainment solution, next steps and recommendations, and further resources for CTE information. A new education and training system with more integration of CTE and core academic courses will be necessary to adequately prepare students for the challenges of their postsecondary training programs.
Posted On :
01/16/09 02:49PM
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708
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282
Texas Reality Check
The Texas Reality Check website is an on-line budget calculator that, with a click of a button, helps students easily find the careers that will pay enough money to sustain their chosen lifestyle. By using one of three search methods--Get a Reality Check, Future Salary, or Career Direct - this tool helps young job seekers figure out how much certain careers average in salary and calculate average expenses (such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothes, health care, entertainment, personal savings, miscellaneous…etc). This “Reality Check” is a useful tool for young people entering the workforce or considering careers.
Posted On :
09/08/08 02:19PM
/Views :
1377
/Downloads :
453
Workforce Solutions Targeted to Employer Needs in Lubbock County Texas
This article describes an employer-driven initiative developed by WorkForce Solutions South Plains (WFS), South Plains College (SPC) and the industry to develop a training initiative that will ultimately prepare a pool of skilled workers in HVAC and building maintenance. The initiative provides an industry recognized certification in these skills that was previously not available.
Posted On :
07/31/08 02:32PM
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454
/Downloads :
271
Access Workforce Solutions
Workforce Solutions, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board in Texas has operated the Workforce Solutions Online Learning Community to provide customized training opportunities for workers. The program utilizes an in home learning system that blends mentoring, personal development, learning theories, partner collaboration to support individuals and increase their career prospects, employment retention, wages and, ultimately, long-term self-sufficiency. Article describes a training approach that has worked well with difficult to serve populations, lessons learned and provides a link to additional information.
Posted On :
07/02/08 01:26PM
/Views :
1088
/Downloads :
642
The Dallas Fort Worth Regional Workforce Leadership Council (RWLC)
The DFW Regional Workforce Leadership Council (RWLC) is a partnership among three workforce Boards in Texas, the Dallas, North Central Texas and Tarrant Workforce Boards, local Chambers, education agencies and business. By working together the WIBs created industry partnerships on a regional basis for the areas’ Health Care, aerospace, Technology, Logistics and Semiconductor industries. The article demonstrates value of sector initiatives and the ability of those initiatives to evolve to address a variety of business needs.
Posted On :
04/08/08 11:04AM
/Views :
422
/Downloads :
257
Aerospace Workforce Innovation Network
This resource portrays the Aerospace Workforce Innovation Network, a partnership with The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), San Jacinto College and industry partners in Houston to create an industry driven initiative to develop the skill sets needed for its growing aerospace industry effort. To learn more about the Aerospace industry go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/1931/info
Posted On :
01/30/08 12:54PM
/Views :
372
/Downloads :
210
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
/Views :
601
/Downloads :
211
Sector Initiatives And Community Colleges; Working Together To Provide Education For Low-Wage Working Adults
This article by the Workforce Strategies Initiative describes the efforts of community colleges to collaborate with sectoral initiatives established by community based organizations and other entities to better serve low wage workers. Article highlights how community colleges are innovating to better serve low wage working adults. Offers a number of different examples and describes in detail how a sectoral initiative in Austin, Texas operated by a CBO, Capital IDEA, collaborate with Austin Community College. Related resource: Recently-issued TEN 15-07 at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2545 Low-income workers are the “topical glue” between Workforce Strategies piece and the description of the NFWS funding collaborative that aims to strengthen partnerships and create new opportunities for low-wage workers to obtain better jobs and careers.
