1. Increasing OBS Increasing Retention
Innovation Lab
Increasing OBS
Increasing Retention
NJCA & FYO Youth Development
Leadership Training Summit
September 20, 2016

2. Learning and Innovation
“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” --William Pollard
William Pollard was a prominent American physicist and also an Episcopal priest in the early half of the 20th century

3. Our Opportunities Reach more youth Teach more youth
Provide a solid step-up to a promising career pathway
Positively contribute to the workforce and to the economy
Operate vibrant Job Corps centers that offer and fulfill these Opportunities

4. Our Challenges Address today’s safety concerns
Ensure that programs are relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s employment demands
Ensure that credentials are based on recognized standards
Ensure that all applicants and students in today’s highly diverse population receive fair and consistent services

5. “The Rub”
The scope and speed of Innovation ideas are always impacted by the Challenges
- 3 R’s
(regulations, requirements, resources)
Scale and complexity
Age and flexibility

6. Nevertheless … WE
MUST
INNOVATE
IN ORDER TO
REMAIN
RELEVANT

7. How Do We Get at Innovation?
Having a problem-solving mindset
Being creative
Being action-oriented
Thinking systemically
Acknowledging risk
Acknowledging doubt
Research and best practices
Being persistent

8. On-Board Strength (OBS)
OBS is a product of:
Volume of new (inbound) enrollments
Volume of students (currently) enrolled
Volume of students separated
… all at the same time.

9. Program Retention Retention is a product of:
Degree of student engagement
Degree of student commitment
Program completion
Volume of scheduled separations
Volume of unscheduled separations

10. In light of the above Innovations in Inbound Enrollment
(Enrollment Services)
Marketing in the Digital Age
National (worldwide) reach at the individual level
Targeted electronic outreach to national, regional, and local groups/stakeholders
Local reach at the group level

11. Innovations in Responding to
Pre-Enrollment
Innovations in Responding to
Customer “Inreach”
Policy
Technology
Technology-based management systems
Good old-fashioned customer service

12. Career Pathway Planning
Innovations in Counseling:
Career-Pathway Advising
WIOA
Setting a Vision
Setting a Plan
Daily connection to the Career Plan

13. Innovations in Retaining Students
Retention
Innovations in Retaining Students
Meaningful engagement from Day 1
Avoiding over-whelming or under-whelming
Career Pathway Planning
Tracking and “Owning” Personal Progress
Transition Services

14. Innovations in Student Engagement
Retention
Innovations in Student Engagement
Maintaining a Positive and Education-Oriented Culture
Youth-led initiatives (Y2Y)
Structured Evening Studies
Additional supports for Aspiring Learners

15. Innovations in Support Systems
ePolicy
OASIS
Webinar training
Electronic materials

16. National Office of Job Corps
DISCUSSION
Questions
Thoughts
Comments
???
Andrea Kyle Bobrik
National Office of Job Corps
(202)