BEST PRACTICES IN BUILDING AND SUSTAINING EFFECTIVE ADVISORY BOARDS NCWE 2019 Annual Conference San Antonio, October 8-9, 2019

Ten Centers of Excellence – Driving the State’s Economy Aerospace & Advanced Materials Manufacturing Agriculture Allied Health Careers in Education Clean Energy Construction Global Trade & Supply Chain Management Homeland Security & Emergency Mgmt. Information & Computing Technology Marine Manufacturing & Technology

Role of Career and Technical Education in Economic Development A skilled workforce has become one of the main factors a company uses to determine where to locate or expand their business

21st Century Skilled Workforce How do we recruit, train, and retain them? Employer engagement is key!

Defining Employer Engagement According to Jobs for the Future’s “A Resource Guide to Engaging Employers” there are specific qualities that define employer engagement. of successful engagement. These include: Comprehensive Intensive Empowering Institutionally varied Continuous Strategic Mutually valuable Wide-ranging

Shared Responsibility, Shared Impact

Considerations for Effective Employer Engagement Identify various platforms for collaboration: Focus on translation (industry “lingo”) Rely on employers to help inform the state of the industry and identify skills gaps Celebrate successes along the way Engage with employers in their environment (Shouldn’t always be in the college environment) Possible engagement activities – How can you involve employers? Work-based learning opportunities Student interviews Host meetings Resume review Curriculum/program development Legislative/policy advocacy Guest speakers Industry credential recognition

Ladder of Employer Engagement New Relationship Working Relationship Strategic Partnership Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level V Key Employer Role Advising Capacity-building Co-designing Convening Leading Stage of Relationship Initial contact / new relationship Establishing trust and credibility Working relationship Trusted provider and collaborator Full strategic partner Activity Examples Discuss hiring needs, skills, competences, advise on curriculum, contract training, hire graduates. Job site tours; speakers; mock interviews, internships, needs assessment, loan/donate equipment, recruiting Curriculum/path way development, adjunct faculty and preceptors College- employer, sectorial, partnerships Multi- employer/ multi-college partnerships Ladder of Employer Engagement

Key Elements for Success Collaborative Leadership Collaborative Mindset Strategic Thinking Active Engagement

Partner Perspective What’s in it for employers?

Where Labor Advocates for CTCs COMMUNITY awareness partnerships support EDUCATION engagement promotion mentorship GOVERNMENT programs policies funding

Why We’re Invested Our members are CTC students Our members are CTC staff & faculty Union industries rely on a strong CTC system Registered apprenticeships are integrated with CTCs We believe in access & opportunity for all students and workers

Consider the benefits to employers Participation equals $$$, not just time. There MUST be something in it for them (Return on Investment) Must feel that their voice is not only heard, but makes a difference Encourage them to set the agenda Get their input first, at the beginning of the meeting (or prior to planning the meeting) Point out changes that were initiated by their suggestions

Show you care and value employers’ time Make efficient use of their time Schedule meetings well in advance Start and end on time Stay organized – assign staff roles and responsibilities At least one month notice (some set entire year’s schedule) Must work best for the partner (college, staff, secondary) Get creative with meeting times and locations

Recruiting and Retention of Members Pay EXTRA attention to new partners Have a “welcome pack” ready to go for all new members Contact info of committee members, staff and faculty Minutes of prior meetings Calendar of events/activities Have them share 2-3 minutes about themselves to get them engaged from the start. Arrange tours of campus and relevant programs Work hard to help them feel valued from the start

Presenters Shana Peschek, Director, Construction Center of Excellence Jamie Wells, Director, Center of Excellence for Careers in Education Kairie Pierce, Workforce Development Director, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION