United States Department of LaborEmployment & Training Administration

Career Pathways: Pathways to Opportunity

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training

Administration Region 2 TAACCCT Roundtable

July 29-31, 2014

Source: Georgetown University, Recovery 2020, Anthony Carnevale et al June 2013

Federal Interagency Working Group on Career Pathways

In April 2012, ED, HHS, and Labor issued a joint letter of support, urging the adoption of career pathways strategies and collaboration at the state and local levels to help citizens advance in the workforce and adopting a common framework

United States Department of LaborEmployment & Training Administration

ETA Career Pathways

TA Initiative(2010 – 2012)

OCTAE Advancing CTE/CP

Initiative(2012 – Present)

CLASP Alliance for Quality Career

Pathways (2013 – Present)

Jobs for the FutureAccelerating Opportunity

(2012 – Present)

States Participating in Two

Initiatives

States Participating in

ThreeInitiatives

Arizona

Maryland

Montana

New Mexico

Ohio

Pennsylvania

ColoradoCalifornia

Washington

Wisconsin

Georgia

Louisiana

Mississippi

Arkansas

Illinois

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Oregon

VirginiaKansas

Minnesota

OCTAE/CLASP

ETA/CLASP

ETA/CLASP

CLASP/JFF

ETA/OCTAE/CLASP

ETA/OCTAE/JFF ETA/CLASP

CLASP/JFF

States/initiatives that are aligned with federal CP framework

What is Career Pathways?

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The term “career pathways” has been defined as 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

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”

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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

What is Career Pathways?

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Key Achievement of Career Pathways

Helps youth and adults gain industry-recognized, postsecondary credentials and transition into new careers through:

Youth and 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

Six Key Elements of Career Pathways

Implementing Career Pathways ♦ Page 8

#1: Build Cross-Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles

Key cross-agency partners are engaged to participate in the initiative.

Partners are invited to design, craft, and implement a shared vision.

Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and formalized.

o Create a leadership or steering committee to guide the development process.

o Clarify and formalize roles and responsibilities for key areas, such as: education institutions; employers; workforce development systems; social service agencies; CBOs

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#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).

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#3: Design Education and Training Programs

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.

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#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?

Assess credit for prior life/employment experience & skills?

Integrate wrap-around services?

Ensure the program leads to an associate or baccalaureate degree or industry-recognized credentials or certificates at the postsecondary level?

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#4: Identify Funding Needs & Sources

Identify resources needed to operate programs and core system components.o Program developmento Operating costso Education & trainingo Supportive services

Ensure partners work together to identify and leverage funding from various sources (federal, state, local, and foundation)

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#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.

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#5: Align Policies and Programs (cont.)

Key questions to ask:

How does the eligible training provider list (ETPL) promote career pathway development?

How can American Job Center 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?

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#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

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National Model: Wisconsin’s Career Pathways System

National Model: Portland, OR – Computer Technology - http://www.pcc.edu/pathway/?id=340

United States Department of LaborEmployment & Training Administration

https://learnwork.workforce3one.org

Join over 13,000 members:Career Pathways Community of Practice Web Site

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THANK YOU