Reversing Barriers in Workforce Development: Overcoming Basic Skills Deficiencies Karen R. Brown, Vice President – Innovation & Strategic Learning, Fairfield County ‘s Community Foundation Norwalk, CT Craig Outhouse, Ed.D. – Principal Synergy Alternative High School, East Hartford Public Schools

“You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better “You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By becoming a little better each and every day, over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”                                                                                 --John Wooden

Game Plan Session Overview (5 minutes) Summary of Problem (10 minutes) Profile of Solutions (10 minutes) Next Steps (10 minutes) Feedback/Questions (1o minutes)

Session Overview Objective Today: This workshop will introduce participants to strategies and techniques for engaging young people who possess basic skill deficiencies. The session will emphasize: (1) Successes (2) Challenges (3) Future Work

Summary of Problem Part 1 Parthenon Group Study – Untapped potential Engaging all Connecticut youth  39,000 Disengaged/Disconnected Youth across the state As high as 45,000 Opportunity Youth across the state – real opportunity if we collaborate, work smarter

Summary of Problem Part II Shortage of Skilled workers 51% of WIOA Title 1 Youth are Basic Skills Deficient 63% of WIOA youth participants are HS dropouts/basic skills deficient 36% disabled, pregnant/parent, offender, homeless, English Learners SUMMARY: Employers Need employees; youth/young adults need jobs SOLUTIONS ???

Why we are here today Expansion of Basic Skills Deficits Disengaged Disconnected Expansion of Basic Skills Deficits If state of CT could reduce number of disengaged/disconnected youth by half: 2000 more HS graduates 8000 more jobs for young people 4000 fewer incarcerated youth Economic value of $3 billion Source – Parthenon Group (2016) Moving from deficits  Opportunity  We NEED to come together and find some solutions

Profile of Students Student 1: Student 2: Reading at around a sixth grade level Regularly on cell phone Rarely takes initiative Late to work twice in first three weeks Student 2: Weak reading, writing, math skills. More acute for older youth, 22-25 years old Poor verbal communication skills Challenges with resumes and cover letters – grammar and overall language deficiencies Time management – keeping appointments, calling when late, etc. Has previously enrolled in college, but dropped out Transportation challenges (if you asked pointed questions about this!) Ask audience about one positive trait they see in students and one example/opportunity for youth… use this as a transition to describe what our programs do for adolescents

Examples of Students we work with Profile of Students Examples of Students we work with Student Profiles I’m going to think about creating a 15 second video click to showcase “profiles” of various students who might be applying for a job (One positive example and one opportunity youth… use this as a transition to describe what our programs do for adolescents)

Profile 1: FCCF 9th and 10th Grade Summer Transition Programs Summer Bridge Programs for high school graduates Career Connections Program at Norwalk Community College

What Can We Collectively Do? Before High School Graduation FCCF What Can We Collectively Do? Before High School Graduation Push down workplace readiness skill-building to high school years (e.g. P-Tech) Expand the number of private sector SYEP work sites; business engagement with soft skills workshops. Importance of 9th Grade Highlight 9th grade and/or other successful interventions

What Can We Collectively Do? After High School Graduation FCCF What Can We Collectively Do? After High School Graduation Operate and fund summer bridge programs for high school/GED graduates seeking post-secondary career training Enroll more 18-25 year olds in non-credit certificate programs in expanding job sectors (with embedded workplace strategies classes and support services, including mental health)

FCCF Lessons Learned from Grantmaking Summer Bridge Programs can work – but not for all students Students often don’t know where their academic deficiencies lie – role of out-of-school time programs Summer and school-year internships can support academic skills-building, if the work site is the right setting (includes supervisor training)

Profile 2: Synergy High School Career Readiness Inventory – Daily index that speaks to college/career readiness Advisory Class that teaches soft skills – daily class led by teachers/support staff Social/Emotional Learning – Teaching students how to behave Applied Experiences – Internships & Dual Enrollment classes Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

Career Readiness Inventory Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

Career Readiness Data (CRI) Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless Over 150% increase in Hired/Likely Hired over two years 33 students had an intensive internship/college class experience last year 54 successful internship/college class experiences last year

Advisory Class Advisory Class that teaches soft skills – 30 minutes daily Weekly review of academic, behavioral, career readiness, and attendance data Soft skill work Aligned to business needs, student skill deficits Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

Social Emotional Learning Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

Applied Experiences Applied Experiences Manchester Community College (MCC) dual enrollment class Internships CCAT Partnership Ask for examples (from the audience) of how to connect HS students to life after HS

Next Steps Read Parthenon/Dalio Report  TODAY!!! Sharing resources  re-engaging disconnected/disengaged youth Expanding rigor in alternative programs  state involvement Replicating successful models  celebrating successes one student at a time Best practices in workforce development  Integrate into school settings Soft skills training for ALL HS students  Graduation requirement? Ask for audience suggestions before sharing our lists

Questions Thank you!