Preparing native Americans to be college and career ready National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference April 26, 2010 Albuquerque, New Mexico

Workforce needs are different now…really different Workforce Change: this time the change is different Workforce Change: this time the change is different New Solutions: can’t keep using old solutions New Solutions: can’t keep using old solutions Skills Needed: literacy in math and reading, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and decision making, time management, computer fluency, Internet, teamwork and collaboration, client orientation for customer service and relationship building Skills Needed: literacy in math and reading, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and decision making, time management, computer fluency, Internet, teamwork and collaboration, client orientation for customer service and relationship building Vocational Workers: must have academic skills in additional to job specific technical skills Vocational Workers: must have academic skills in additional to job specific technical skills Why Enhanced Skills Needed: initial employment, advancement or promotion to supervisory, ability to react when nature of job change Why Enhanced Skills Needed: initial employment, advancement or promotion to supervisory, ability to react when nature of job change Personal Payoff: results in higher standard of living for self and family, current and future generations Personal Payoff: results in higher standard of living for self and family, current and future generations

Workforce needs are different now…really different K-12 K-12 Postsecondary Postsecondary Workplace Workplace In-house In-house Partnerships Partnerships

Third party tests aka portable credentials Key Train/Career Readiness CertificateKey Train/Career Readiness Certificate NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing InstituteNOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Industry specific certifications Industry specific certifications

Career Readiness Certificates ACT WorkKeys Accepted by 17 states Accepted by 17 states Is your state one of them? Is your state one of them? National Association of Manufacturers National Association of Manufacturers Employer to give preferential hiring and/or salary treatment Employer to give preferential hiring and/or salary treatment Skill areas Skill areas Reading for information Reading for information Locating information Locating information Applied math Applied math Bronze/Silver/Gold Bronze/Silver/Gold

ACT Key Train Preparation tool Quick test vs. standardQuick test vs. standard Paper vs. computerPaper vs. computer Best if free to participantBest if free to participant

Preparing clients Provide client with individualized attention to prepareProvide client with individualized attention to prepare Content areaContent area Test taking skills including timed testsTest taking skills including timed tests Computer navigation skillsComputer navigation skills

Standard, tutorial format Computer preparationComputer preparation Refreshers for specific topicsRefreshers for specific topics

nccer Is a portable technical credential that covers some soft skills like communicationIs a portable technical credential that covers some soft skills like communication CoreCore communication skillcommunication skill technical math technical math safety focussafety focus entry levelentry level CraftsCrafts advancing beyond entry leveladvancing beyond entry level progression from apprentice to master levelprogression from apprentice to master level

partnerships Functional partnershipFunctional partnership Personal relationshipPersonal relationship Win/Win requirements for each partnerWin/Win requirements for each partner Moving beyond “What’s in it for me?” Improve ability to leverage federal dollars thereby increasing the agency’s capacity Opportunity to increase awareness of Native American issues

Wrap around services Career Pathways Initiative, University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Case management approachCase management approach Superior Relationship based Customized services for each case (identifying resource gaps) Resources beyond financial Mentoring Aggressive student services (intrusive advising) (T R) Career preparation beyond getting an academic degree or credentialCareer preparation beyond getting an academic degree or credential

Workforce preparation Recognize the integration of education, economy, and employmentRecognize the integration of education, economy, and employment Path to employment may be advanced training or direct to the workplacePath to employment may be advanced training or direct to the workplace Today’s worker needs to think of themselves as self-employed and contracting their time to an employer; take responsibility for their own career developmentToday’s worker needs to think of themselves as self-employed and contracting their time to an employer; take responsibility for their own career development

Arkansas Works: A Career development tool ARKANSAS WORKS: All inclusive tool that: Can help job placement providers serve clientsCan help job placement providers serve clients Can help clients better manage their own career developmentCan help clients better manage their own career development Provides a holistic approach beginning in grade school through the mature workerProvides a holistic approach beginning in grade school through the mature worker

What can we do? Focus on the individual clientFocus on the individual client Focus on creating community partnerships with business and industry and with colleges, universities and technical schools.Focus on creating community partnerships with business and industry and with colleges, universities and technical schools. Forge partnerships with state agencies and community based organizations that can provide resources to help workers overcome barriers to education and sustained work.Forge partnerships with state agencies and community based organizations that can provide resources to help workers overcome barriers to education and sustained work. Make education and training relevant to local labor market needs….ability and skills, work ethic and attitude.Make education and training relevant to local labor market needs….ability and skills, work ethic and attitude. Use a community development process; identify stakeholders, reach out to them, affect policy, advocate for clients, help clients build resources for self sustainability.Use a community development process; identify stakeholders, reach out to them, affect policy, advocate for clients, help clients build resources for self sustainability.

Thank you Jolane Cook Director of Industry Outreach and Continuing Education Monieca West Federal Programs Manager Arkansas Department of Higher Education