EXPANDING CAREER PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES IN ABE LITERACY ACTION NETWORK SUMMER INSTITUTE AUGUST 13-16, 2013 LukeWorks, LLC

Contextualizing the GED: 3 Models  students obtain their GED and a vocational certificate simultaneously; and/or  students obtain their GED and a general career readiness certificate simultaneously; and/or  students obtain their GED and begin occupational training which they continue in a postsecondary program. 2

Commonality Across the Models  In all 3 models, instructors teach students the subject areas needed to pass the GED exam in the context of a specific vocation, occupational field, or employment readiness certification 3

Benefits of this Approach  More directly help students prepare for and enter employment (while meeting NRS goals)  Prospects of marketable skills may increase incentives for students to attend, complete  Rescinding of AtB...need new pathways to credentials for low-income, non-traditional students 4

GED+ Occupational Certificate  Preparation to enter a specific occupation (e.g.; CNC operator, pharmacy technician, child care worker)  Preparation to enter a broader career field (e.g.; health care, administrative assistance, hospitality) 5

Specific Occupation v. Broader Career Field?  Easier to build the technical, in-depth skills required for a particular occupation by focusing narrowly  Easier to ask instructors to gain a good understanding of one occupation, rather than all the occupations that may exist within a career field v.  A course covering a career field is relevant to a larger student population  Contextualizing using career fields/career clusters gives students greater ability to generalize the content 6

GED + Career Readiness  NCRC or other general career readiness certificate  Some programs include Microsoft digital literacy certifications (helpful prep for new GED computer- based exam as well). 7

GED + College Preparation  GED Plus, Bridge programs  Part of larger career pathways model  Orientation to college 8

Challenges & Solutions  Instructor workload: Instructors must become highly knowledgeable about vocation/s or career field/s; and take the time and have the skills to incorporate that information into lesson plans designed to prepare students to pass the GED subject tests.  Partner w/vocational instructors at colleges, local employers to understand technical skills 9

Challenges & Solutions  Connecting to local economy for relevant course choice  Work with DEED labor market analysts 10

Challenges & Solutions  Costs: contextualized instruction can be expensive, with costs for staff training and curriculum development, materials, student recruitment, career aptitude assessments, support services, etc  ABE Supplemental Services, FastTRAC, MJSP, WIBs 11

Example: Commerical Driver’s License  “Good drivers are in demand...Few occupations offer more opportunity after such a short training period...Long distance truck drivers can expect an average first year salary between $30,000 and $35,000 and over $40,000 the second year. Good jobs are also available in safety supervision, dispatching, and management...” 12

CDL Training Opportunities?  Preparation for the written test (requires 6 th -8 th grade reading level); community colleges require Accuplacer 8 th grade level to enroll in CDL training  Preparation for the 3-part road test  Most driving programs require learners to have a CDL permit to enroll in behind-the-wheel training 13

CDL Training Opportunities?  Number of non-native speakers want to become drivers  Number of individuals who want to obtain their CDL but must first obtain their regular (Class D) license 14

CDL Training Challenges?  Need a clean driving record  Behind the wheel training is expensive 15

Career Pathways  Commercial drivers fall into the broader category of careers known as Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics  MnDOT offers a career pathway in transportation and road maintenance. Begin as Transportation Associates (TA), an entry level position for trainees, who must hold a CDL Class A or B permit. Once a TA completes training, s/he is eligible to advance into more skilled, higher paid positions 16

Need to Know More? Kira Dahlk and Luke Weisberg