Developing Local Career Pathway Systems: Mapping Community Assets PRESENTED AT: ILLINOIS 60 BY 25 NETWORK MEETING SAMUEL NELSON, ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION’ ANDREA MESSING-MATHIE, EDUCATION SYSTEMS NIU LEAH POUW, ILLINOIS ACTION FOR CHILDREN, OECD

Career Pathway A series of connected education and training programs, work experiences, and student support services that enable individuals to secure a job or advance in a demand industry or occupation.

Elementary and Middle School Strong academic foundation Career exploration Education & career plan development Secondary Education 9 th and 10 th Secondary Education 11 th and 12 th Postsecondary Education and Careers Orientation level courses Career exposure (job shadows, competitions) Pathway-specific course sequence Work-based learning and career preparation Industry-based credentials Transitions to college and/or employment Stackable credentials Career Pathway Systems: Key Features

Elementary and Middle School Career Awareness Career Exploration Secondary Education 9 th and 10 th Secondary Education 11 th and 12 th Postsecondary Education and Careers Problem-based Learning/Competitions Service Learning Job Shadows Career Preparation Internships School-based Enterprises Apprenticeships Work Experience Work-Based Learning Opportunities

6 Builds off of the National Career Cluster Framework and supports career pathway systems in eight STEM application areas: Illinois pathways Focus Areas

Orienting goals of Illinois Pathways 1.Provide students with skills and experience that will prepare them for success in college and careers 2.Spur community economic development by fostering a homegrown talent pipeline in critical industries

Building a local career pathway requires: Strong regional and state support network Consistent and sustainable employer engagement (employers as partners) Strong and consistent connections between what students are learning in the classroom and the opportunities available to them in the labor market

Critical elements of collective impact 1.Authentic, cross-sector engagement 2.Using data to drive the work 3.Learning and improvement Building a common agenda requires assessing community assets and needs

Asset Mapping the general process of identifying and providing information about a communities assets which serves as a support, resource, or source of strength to members of a community. Pathways  National Movement  Strong State Focus

“Needs” vs. “Assets”

Asset Mapping at the Regional Level A process to bring together key stakeholders: Educators (K-12 and postsecondary) Community Based Organizations Workforce and economic development Employers (Industry, Chamber of Commerce) Intermediary Organizations State and local leaders The audience!

Asset Mapping: Finding Connectivity 1.What is the goal? [Increase the number of adults in _______ with high quality degrees and credentials to ___% by 2025] 2.What assets can we count in our communities that may help us to develop a sustainable, scalable local career pathway system? 3.What work across the community can we leverage? 4.What points of connection need to be made?