Increasing OBS Increasing Retention Innovation Lab Increasing OBS Increasing Retention NJCA & FYO Youth Development Leadership Training Summit September 20, 2016

Learning and Innovation “Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” --William Pollard William Pollard was a prominent American physicist and also an Episcopal priest in the early half of the 20th century

Our Opportunities Reach more youth Teach more youth Provide a solid step-up to a promising career pathway Positively contribute to the workforce and to the economy Operate vibrant Job Corps centers that offer and fulfill these Opportunities

Our Challenges Address today’s safety concerns Ensure that programs are relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s employment demands Ensure that credentials are based on recognized standards Ensure that all applicants and students in today’s highly diverse population receive fair and consistent services

“The Rub” The scope and speed of Innovation ideas are always impacted by the Challenges - 3 R’s (regulations, requirements, resources) Scale and complexity Age and flexibility

Nevertheless … WE MUST INNOVATE IN ORDER TO REMAIN RELEVANT

How Do We Get at Innovation? Having a problem-solving mindset Being creative Being action-oriented Thinking systemically Acknowledging risk Acknowledging doubt Research and best practices Being persistent

On-Board Strength (OBS) OBS is a product of: Volume of new (inbound) enrollments Volume of students (currently) enrolled Volume of students separated … all at the same time.

Program Retention Retention is a product of: Degree of student engagement Degree of student commitment Program completion Volume of scheduled separations Volume of unscheduled separations

In light of the above Innovations in Inbound Enrollment (Enrollment Services) Marketing in the Digital Age National (worldwide) reach at the individual level Targeted electronic outreach to national, regional, and local groups/stakeholders Local reach at the group level

Innovations in Responding to Pre-Enrollment Innovations in Responding to Customer “Inreach” Policy Technology Technology-based management systems Good old-fashioned customer service

Career Pathway Planning Innovations in Counseling: Career-Pathway Advising WIOA Setting a Vision Setting a Plan Daily connection to the Career Plan

Innovations in Retaining Students Retention Innovations in Retaining Students Meaningful engagement from Day 1 Avoiding over-whelming or under-whelming Career Pathway Planning Tracking and “Owning” Personal Progress Transition Services

Innovations in Student Engagement Retention Innovations in Student Engagement Maintaining a Positive and Education-Oriented Culture Youth-led initiatives (Y2Y) Structured Evening Studies Additional supports for Aspiring Learners

Innovations in Support Systems ePolicy OASIS Webinar training Electronic materials

National Office of Job Corps DISCUSSION Questions Thoughts Comments ??? Andrea Kyle Bobrik National Office of Job Corps (202) 693-3008