October 13, 2018 Construction Plus Framework: Overview and Strategies for Program Alignment

Jenn Smith National YouthBuild Director U.S. Department of Labor

Consuela Greene Senior Director of DOL YouthBuild Program Impact YouthBuild USA

Shawn Nicholson Larry Fisher Chief Operating Officer Pathways - Petersburg, VA Larry Fisher Vocational Trainer Pathways - Petersburg, VA

At the completion of this webinar, participants will: Understand what Construction Plus, also known as C+, is and what it is not; Learn about the Construction Plus Framework for pre- apprenticeship; Identify key considerations for program alignment to the Construction Plus Framework; Explore promising program practices to effectively implement C+ industries and ensure participant success

Do you have an existing Construction Plus Program? No, we are considering adding Construction Plus in the future. Yes, this is our first grant period implementing Construction Plus. Yes, we have implemented Construction Plus for several grant periods. No, just here to learn.

What Construction Plus Is and What It is Not

What it is… Construction Plus (C+) model has been offered to grantees since 2013. Up until 2018, it was only a program option for previously-funded grantees; the currently open FOA has expanded it to ANY grantee. The model is an expansion of occupational skills training into additional in-demand industries beyond construction: Industry/sector - need local labor market data to support providing this occupational skills training Implement during active programming and within the 24 month period (Final Rule Sec. 688.350) Construction Plus training must have the same rigor and program requirements as the construction industry model – i.e. hands-on work experience and industry-recognized credentials with career pathways

What it isn’t… It is not a strong referral partnership with additional occupational skills training that occurs after exit It is not additional industry training provided in- house or through a sub-contract using DOL grant funds to support some part of the training It is not specialized construction industry training (i.e. weatherization, solar paneling, and green building) or non-qualifying credential training (ServSafe, CPR, etc.)

Construction Plus Framework Overview

Construction Plus Framework Construction Plus Framework defines requirements for Construction Plus using the WIOA Final Rule Sec. 681.480 pre- apprenticeship program definition.

Construction Plus Framework Grantees must align elements and activities with the 5 key components of pre-apprenticeship C+ programming must support the career pathways of youth participants with quality placements in postsecondary education for continuing education or training and/or employment Strong apprenticeship and industry partners in selected industry(ies) are essential to planning, implementing, and continuous improvement of a quality pre-apprenticeship experience Apprenticeship pathways in many in-demand fields are not yet available broadly, but opportunities continue to expand into new industries and local areas

Construction Plus Program Alignment

Quality Construction Plus Pre-Apprenticeship Components 1) Training and curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the selected in-demand industry(ies) 2) Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education & training activities Program recruitment strategies align with increasing access of underrepresented populations in in-demand industry(ies) and apprenticeship programs The approved curriculum corresponds with an industry- recognized credential Training and credentials have been reviewed, are recognized, and desired, by industry partners Credential leads to additional stackable credentials Credential is portable Program incorporates project- based and program-based learning and in-the-classroom and hands-on training experiences Hands-on training must be meaningful and significant in a professional setting for the industry

Quality Construction Plus Pre-Apprenticeship Components 3) Access to educational & career counseling and other supportive services 4) Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential Promote career exploration and planning in the selected industry(ies) and apprenticeship opportunities throughout the program phases from orientation through placement Provide effective supportive services to youth participant during active programming and the follow-up phase of the program, including educational and career counseling Develop transition support agreements with industry partners Ensure the training and work- based learning provided aligns with the selected industry- recognized credential(s) The Construction Plus program must include adequate time in training and work-based learning in order to prepare youth participants for credential attainment

Quality Construction Plus Pre-Apprenticeship Components 5) Partnership with one or more apprenticeship program that assists with placement, including: apprenticeship sponsors, workforce development agencies, economic development agencies, business & industry partners, labor management organizations, and/or community colleges & other education partners Grantee has established partnerships in the local in-demand industry(ies) that influence program design and has local post-program education and employment opportunities for YouthBuild participants Training and hands-on experience meet entry requisites for post- secondary education and employment opportunities The industry has post-program career growth opportunities from initial employment or apprenticeship pathway participants enter (upward mobility and geographic opportunities) Program has established formal relationships (including documented MOUs/subcontracts) with key partners for any/all the following: Core curriculum that leads to credential If needed, certified external staff to teach curriculum If needed, certified internal staff to teach curriculum Training facility for hands-on training Internship/field experience opportunities Community service opportunities

Construction Plus Planning & Continuous Quality Improvement Roadmap

Key Considerations Industry and Certificate/Credential Determination Local labor market demand and industry fit? Recognized by local employers? Certificate/credentials meet DOL requirements? Stackable? Portable? Quality training and trainers? Who will provide the training? Any barriers for special populations - attaining the degree or being gainfully employed in the affiliated industry? Construction Plus Schedule Separate or concurrent with construction training? When? Where? Allocation of hours for classroom and hands-on training? NOTE: All grants are still required to provide sufficient construction training to complete at least one unit of affordable housing during the life of the grant

Key Considerations Construction Plus Staffing Curriculum Who will provide the training - YouthBuild program staff or partner? Staff training needs? Curriculum Instructor requirements - training, credentials, experience, etc.? What is required to attain the credential (i.e. training hours, pre-requisites, HSE/HSD)? Curriculum selection - any adaptations needed (i.e. instructional differentiation, scheduling, etc.)?

Key Considerations Hands-On Work Experience What are the hands-on work experience requirements for the certificate/credential(s)? Hours? Practice requirements? Will the experience be group-based and/or individual- based? Partners? Partner requirements? Any participant barriers to engage in the experience? Employer and Post-Secondary Partners Who? What? When? How? Partnership management - requirements, frequency of engagement, expectations, training needs/opportunities?

Key Considerations Job Growth Technology and Equipment Employment potential with training in the selected industry? Career pathway - entry to advanced? Opportunities for further advance training? Training and credential aligned with skills needed by industry? Technology and Equipment Does the program have access to the necessary technology and equipment needed to provide high- quality training and work-based learning experience?

Resources to Assist with Considerations Information on fast-growing careers: https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/ Learn/whats-hot.aspx State Labor Market Information Contact List: https://www.bls.gov/bls/ofolist.htm Career OneStop Certification Finder: https://www.careeronestop.org/Credentials/Tool kit/find-certifications.aspx Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium: https://doleta.gov/oa/racc.cfm

Strategies from the Field

Shawn Nicholson Larry Fisher Chief Operating Officer Pathways - Petersburg, VA Larry Fisher Vocational Trainer Pathways - Petersburg, VA

Local Context: Why Construction Plus? Manufacturing is a growing in-demand industry in the area Pathways operates a distribution center Pathways can create the learning environment and career preparation experience for youth participants The City of Petersburg launched the Petersburg Works pilot expanding partnership opportunities

Highlight Program Progress Partnerships Training Implementation TEAM A Receives truck Reviews manifest TEAM B Unload truck w/pallet jack Check for damage produce and separates TEAM A/B Supervises volunteers Distribute to community Feed More Morning Star Baptist Church Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) NOCTI and Nocti Business Solutions Food Pantry Colonial Heights

Highlight Program Progress Lessons Learned Future Direction- Areas of Growth Examination process Classroom instruction Computer testing vs. paper and pencil Challenges Students were not progressing Students were struggling to stay focused Students became frustrated Examples… Have students take a more leading role Classroom instruction included an assistant Vocational/Technology classroom integration and continued research of industry More tours of facilities to foster relationships for employment opportunities

YouthBuild 2018 Funding Opportunity Announcement Construction Plus Framework for a Quality Pre- Apprenticeship Experience Provides information and tools to assist DOL YouthBuild grantees to ensure the C+ component aligns with the key elements of a quality pre-apprenticeship program as defined in the WIOA Final Rule. TEGL 07-14 – Guidance for Implementing the “Construction Plus” Component of the YouthBuild Program Includes Attachment – Considerations Guide for Credential Attainment for DOL YouthBuild Grantees WIOA Final Rule WIOA Regulations include the definition of a pre-apprenticeship program on page 333 TEN 13-12 - Defining a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Related Tools and Resources WIOA regulation definition supersedes this definition. This is a good resource for how to partner and develop a pre-apprenticeship model YouthBuild 2018 Funding Opportunity Announcement Contains all the information needed to apply for the 2018 YouthBuild Funding Opportunity Announcement, which closes September 18, 2018

Rethinking Recruitment: Exploring contextualized recruitment strategies for diverse communities  Webinar July 17, 2018, 2-3:30pm ET Region 4 Peer-to-Peer Training Dallas, TX July 10-11, 2018 NCCER Construction Certification Training Oakland, CA July 30- August 3, 2018 Region 5 Peer-to-Peer Training Chicago, IL August 2-3, 2018 Region 1, 2, 3, & 6 Peer-to-Peer Training Atlanta, GA September 19-21, 2018

Jenn Smith Consuela Greene National YouthBuild Director U.S. Department of Labor Smith.jenn@dol.gov 202.693.3597 Consuela Greene Senior Director, DOL YouthBuild Program Impact YouthBuild USA cgreene@youthbuild.org 617.741.1251

Shawn Nicholson Larry Fisher Chief Operating Officer Pathways Petersburg, VA snicholson@pathways-va.org 804.862.1104 Larry Fisher Vocational Trainer Pathways Petersburg, VA lfisher@pathways-va.org