Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture
Owensboro Community and Technical College has created a four-part video series entitled, “ Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture.” The video has applications for high school and community college level science and agriculture courses, as well as community awareness. Each part is 30 minutes in length and best if viewed in parts because of the vast amount of material.
Posted On :
03/02/10 10:21AM
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35
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7
Career Connections Video Profiles
The Heldrich Center, with support from Verizon New Jersey, interviewed nine professionals in different industries and occupations -- and let them tell their own story. How did they get to where they are? What is the most important thing they need to know to be good at their job? What challenges did they face in getting there? How did they overcome them? Could someone you know -- or something you are doing right now -- be the thing that changes your life? The following professions are highlighted: Apprentice Engineer Technician Audio-Visual ManagerCommunicationsDirectorConference Services Director Executive ChefInformation Technology DirectorInstructional Technology SpecialistPolicy FellowTrauma Nurse Also available are questions for teachers to pose to their students in a classroom setting.
Posted On :
03/02/10 09:35AM
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46
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8
"Any Job Isn't Enough: Job-Centered Development in the American South"
In 2009, South by North Strategies conducted a comprehensive review of the changes in state-level economic and workforce policies and practices that have occurred in the American South since the mid-1990s. Commissioned by The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation in Winston-Salem, NC, the resulting study traced the evolution of “jobs-centered development.” This model strives to combine the traditional tools of economic and workforce development in ways that better cultivate the skilled workforces demanded by local businesses and expand the opportunities available to local residents, especially low-income ones. The full study, entitled When Any Job Isn’t Enough: Jobs Centered Development in the American South, documented the need for a new development approach, traced the rise of current innovative practices, identified the building blocks of jobs-centered development, critiques popular strategies, and identified lessons applicable in recessionary times.
Posted On :
02/01/10 11:01AM
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159
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36
New York State Small Business Task Force Report
This Report represents efforts of Task Force members who have worked to formulate recommendations that would have a substantive impact on small business growth and development in New York, including: increasing access to capital, implementing regulatory and administrative reforms, and improving work force training and technical assistance programs. The recommendations that impact workforce development include the following: Integrate Economic Development and Workforce Training Activities through a Sector-Based Strategy. This effort should build on the work of the National Governor’s Association Sector Academy, which is focusing on three industry clusters: green, advanced manufacturing and health care. Create and Expand a Layoff Aversion Program. The State Department of Labor (DOL) is in the process of creating Emergency Response Teams that will assist small businesses in distress with consulting on business turnaround, layoff aversion and Employee Stock Ownership Programs. The Task Force supports the initiation of this pilot program encourages statewide expansion as soon as possible. Increase On-the-Job Training Opportunities. The Task Force urges DOL to use its federal Workforce Investment Act funding to leverage greater local participation by providing matching support on a competitive basis for up to 50 On-the-Job Training (OJT) projects of between five and 10 workers each. The Task Force also supports DOL’s plan to enhance OJT by providing an additional incentive to businesses that hire the long-term unemployed. Improve Opportunities for Youth in Small Business. A portion of the Workforce Investment Act resources should be set aside to leverage local funding of creative youth/small business projects. A fund of $750,000, matched at the local level by a 2-1 ratio, could support 10 competitively selected projects linking youth to small business opportunities.
Posted On :
02/01/10 10:38AM
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232
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49
Closing the Talent Gap: A Business Perspective--What Florida Needs from its Talent Supply Chain
Formed in 1961, the Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders, which exists to promote the economic growth of Florida and improve the economic well-being and quality of life of its citizenry. This report, Closing the Talent Gap, is predicated on the fact that continued enhancement and development of Florida’s talent is the leading determinant of the state’s ability to build a vibrant and innovative economy. Thus, this research is directed toward identifying the key factors for investing public dollars in each stage of the education delivery process in order to deliver the highest dividend to Florida’s students and economy. The report was commissioned by the Florida Council of 100, in partnership with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Posted On :
02/01/10 10:30AM
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270
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121
Compete: Impact--2009 Accomplishments and 2010 Outlook
The Council on Competitiveness is a leadership organization comprised of CEOs, university presidents and labor leaders committed to ensuring that the United States remains the world leader. The Council has one goal: to strengthen America’s competitive advantage by acting as a catalyst for innovative public policy solutions that address America’s major competitive challenges and capitalize on its unique strengths. This report highlights the Council's 2009 accomplishments and the outlook for 2010.
Posted On :
01/11/10 10:55AM
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279
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60
NGA Paper on Measuring Student Achievement at Postsecondary Institutions
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has released a paper aimed at helping states assess the performance of their universities, community colleges and other two- and four-year postsecondary institutions. Measuring Student Achievement at Postsecondary Institutions offers a formula for measuring system wide student achievement, a critical factor in assessing postsecondary school performance. According to the brief, student milestones that should be tracked include successful completion of remedial and core courses; advancement from remedial to credit-bearing courses; transfer from a two-year institution to a four-year institution; and credential attainment.
Posted On :
12/18/09 09:43AM
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398
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84
California Promotes Construction Trade Apprenticeships
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has launched the “I Build It-Youth” campaign to begin training California’s future skilled workforce. The campaign aims to promote careers in the construction trades to junior and senior high school students through apprenticeship opportunities. As part of the “I Built It-Youth” Campaign, a dynamic and engaging video featuring apprentices working in the field and highlighting the benefits of participating in an apprenticeship program will be distributed to counselors, teachers and educators through junior and senior high schools and youth organizations across the state. The video is available at: www.IBuiltIt.org.
Posted On :
12/18/09 09:38AM
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511
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129
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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502
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100
Green Jobs Innovation in Portland, Oregon
Portland's program, called Clean Energy Works Portland, creates a Recovery Act-funded revolving loan fund that will enable Portland homeowners to take out long-term, low-interest loans and repay them through small additions to their utility bills. Green for All has partnered with the City of Portland to implement an innovative green jobs program that aims to retrofit 100,000 homes for energy efficiency while creating new green jobs and economic opportunities for low-income residents of the city. Grantee: Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) Location of Grant Activities: Oregon Amount: $100,000 Key Partnerships: Oregon Employment Department, Southeast Works OneStop Career Center, Portland Community College, the Oregon Institute of Technology, and the Oregon Employer Workforce Training Fund Project Description: Portland Youth Builders (PYB) will expand its current greenjobs training program to prepare low-income youth for entry-level obs and advanced training in the following energy efficient and renewable energy industries: energy efficient construction, weatherization, solar and wind energy, sustainable agriculture, and residential and commercial retrofitting. Project Outcomes: Key modifications will be made to the PYB programs including the development of a weatherization pathway, the development of a green internship program, the enhancement of existing green curriculum based on feedback from the Energy Trust of Oregon, the establishment of key partnerships with PostSecondary institutions and local green employers, and the construction of PYBbuilt Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified homes. Contact: Jill Walters Portland YouthBuilders 4816 SE 92 nd Avenue Portland, OR 97266
Posted On :
12/08/09 11:35AM
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476
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131
New Report Explores Economic Downturn’s Impact on Entrepreneurial Activity
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently released a report exploring the first indications of how the economic downturn has impacted entrepreneurship in the United States and 11 other countries. The Kauffman Foundation-funded report, “Timely Entrepreneurship Indicators,” shows that firm formation declined and firm exits increased in 2008 and most of 2009. The report notes that continuing to encourage and support business startups is important for job creation and, ultimately, economic recovery. The report is part of the second-year results of the Entrepreneurship Indicator Program (EIP), which uses official government data to measure performance in 23 countries. Related Resources: New Kauffman Foundation Study on EntrepreneurshipKauffman Index of Entrepreneurial ActivityEntrepreneurship Summit Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the FieldOpportunities for Rural Community and Economic DevelopmentThe Green Coast Innovation ZoneGreen Spotlight: Innovators and EntrepreneursFinal Findings – Project Gate (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship)Entrepreneurship United by the power of ideas
Posted On :
12/08/09 11:05AM
/Views :
556
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146
Corporation for Enterprise Development Announces Future of Economic Opportunity Award Winners
The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) recently announced the winners of its Future of Economic Opportunity Award at the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. CFED honored several organizations for outstanding work in the areas of Financial Security, Entrepreneurship, and Affordable Housing. Awardees were highlighted for their innovative accomplishments in integrating community practice, public policy, and private markets to achieve results at significant scale.
Posted On :
11/20/09 02:28PM
/Views :
579
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138
New Kauffman Foundation Study on Entrepreneurship
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has published a new survey report, “Making of a Successful Entrepreneur: The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur,” which presents and explores entrepreneurs’ views about what influences the success or failure of startup businesses. The survey researched the beliefs of 549 company founders of successful businesses in high-growth industries, including aerospace, defense, computing, electronics, and health care. Company founders surveyed indicated that the most critical factors in startup success are prior work experience, learning from previous successes and failures, having a strong management team, and plain luck. Less important factors noted include business location, investor advice, alumni networks, and state or regional assistance. The study notes that understanding what makes entrepreneurs successful could help develop better policies to foster entrepreneurship and increase the numbers of high-growth companies. Related Resources: Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the Field Opportunities for Rural Community and Economic Development The Green Coast Innovation Zone Green Spotlight: Innovators and Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Summit Final Findings – Project Gate (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship) http://www.entrepreneurship.gov http://www.entrepreneurship.org
Posted On :
11/20/09 01:46PM
/Views :
474
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127
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
/Views :
423
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89
Leveraging State Economic Development Resources to Create Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities
State and local economic development agencies are a largely untapped resource for increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This brief highlights existing state, regional, and local economic development resource tools and discusses ways in which states and localities can leverage traditional loan and financing programs that enhance job creation, provide access to local employment opportunities, or help support employment for residents, including those with disabilities. The National Technical Assistance and Research Center (NTAR) Leadership Center promotes leadership for increasing the employment and economic independence of adults with disabilities Related Resources: Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the Field Collaborating and Coordinating with Employers
Posted On :
11/16/09 04:27PM
/Views :
647
/Downloads :
221
Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the Field
This brief examines entrepreneurship as a viable option for veterans with disabilities, particularly those returning from the present-day conflicts in the Middle East. As entrepreneurs, veterans have an array of opportunities to customize their employment, accommodate their challenges, maximize their strengths and skills, and achieve their financial and career goals. This brief takes a close look at one program — the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp — and discusses some lessons learned from the operation of this program. The National Technical Assistance and Research Center (NTAR) Leadership Center promotes leadership for increasing the employment and economic independence of adults with disabilities Related Resources: Collaborating and Coordinating with Employers Leveraging State Economic Development Resources to Create Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Posted On :
11/16/09 04:25PM
/Views :
696
/Downloads :
233
Collaborating and Coordinating with Employers
A contemporary look at employers’ views of disability and disability employment programs to move people with disabilities into the labor market can offer clear guidance as to what best characterizes effective disability/employer collaborations. This brief , from the National Technical Assistance and Research Center (NTAR) Leadership Center, examines the evolving relationship between disability employment initiatives and employers, and uses case illustrations of selected collaborations to demonstrate these characteristics. It also highlights the implications that these collaborations have for effectively formulating broad-scale promotion of disability workforce investment initiatives. The National Technical Assistance and Research Center (NTAR) Leadership Center promotes leadership for increasing the employment and economic independence of adults with disabilities Related Resources: Entrepreneurship for Veterans with Disabilities: Lessons Learned from the Field Leveraging State Economic Development Resources to Create Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Posted On :
11/16/09 02:43PM
/Views :
701
/Downloads :
208
NGA Center for Best Practices Offers State-by-State Green Economy Profiles
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) commissioned Collaborative Economics Inc. (CEI) to prepare a profile of each state’s "green" economy. The profiles provide a comprehensive picture of each state’s existing assets across multiple green sectors and offer a foundation for identifying future green growth areas and related needs. Profiles discuss areas such as green business activity, employment concentration, technology innovation, and sector information.
Posted On :
11/04/09 10:14AM
/Views :
1021
/Downloads :
603
New York City Green Collar Jobs Roadmap
The Center for American progress has released a new resource entitled “New York City Green Collar Jobs Roadmap.” The Roadmap is a product of the Green Collar Jobs Roundtable, which was convened by Urban Agenda. The Roundtable was a participatory effort of over 170 job-training organizations, community-based programs, businesses, and labor unions that compiled data on green jobs and workforce development best practices while developing more than 30 recommendations for achieving the shared vision of a more sustainable, prosperous, and just New York City. The Roadmap includes recommendations related to green economic development, talent engagement and development, job creation, employer engagement, and partner collaboration.
Posted On :
10/30/09 01:14PM
/Views :
610
/Downloads :
156
Goods Movement Resource Manual from the National Association of Regional Councils
The National Association of Regional Councils, in partnership with transportation cluster association partners, has released a new resource entitled “Building Planning Capacity Between Public and Private Sector Partners in the Freight Industry: A Resource Manual.” The objective of the Manual is to develop the planning capacity of freight stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, and to create more effective and efficient regional level freight-specific infrastructure planning. The manual explores the relationship among goods movement, regional business and workforce, economic development, agriculture, the environment, and public health, and highlights the need for a high degree of coordination among multiple modes of transportation crossing multiple jurisdictions. In collaboration with the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Community of Practice, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has worked with education, business, and industry leaders to develop a comprehensive competency model for transportation. The model is designed to evolve along with changing skill requirements. The community of practice members have committed to working with industry partners to keep the model current. Click here for access to the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics competency model.
