1. Skills Based Approach to Address Training and Job Access Issues

2. Partnership is the Key
Heartland Workforce Solutions (HWS) is a non-profit organization made up of agencies from both the private and public sectors, dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for job seekers and employers in Douglas, Washington and Sarpy counties.
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) delivers relevant, student-centered education to a diverse community of learners. Metropolitan Community College offers quality, affordable education to Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties, providing a learning environment where students can thrive and reach their academic goals.
Whether a student is looking to further their education, take a professional development course or begin anew, our flexible scheduling, affordable costs, transferable credits and career services can give one the tools needed to reach dreams.
Dual clientele:
Job Seekers- (GED, ESL, Re-entry)
Businesses (high-demand)
Training Programs
Adult Basic Education Programs

3. Current Initiatives Career Readiness to Eliminate Disparities (CRED)
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Metropolitan Community College partnership (Earn and Learn Strategy)
Supported by US DOL grants
Heartland Work Ready Community Initiative
Utilizes the NCRC Certificate to create a pipeline to H3 Industry
Industry Sector Strategy-
Regional, employer-driven partnerships of industry, education and training, and other stakeholders that focus on the workforce needs of key industries in a regional labor market
Manufacturing
Information Technology
Transportation/Distribution/Warehousing/Logistics
Construction
Healthcare
Financial Services

4. Skills Based Approach Work Readiness Academies- ESL Instruction
Career Mapping
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
ACT Career 101 Individualized Training Program
Basic Computer Certification
Customer Service Certification
Work Ethics Certification
ESL Instruction
Levels 1-6
Conversation Partners
Burlington English
GED Instruction
Transitions- ESL into GED if needed
EdReady- Math/English Instruction
i-Pathways
Read Right Systems

5. Using a Credible Assessment Tool
ACT- WorkKeys training system
Model used by other colleges
Brainerd Central Lakes Community College (MN)
Northfield Public Schools Community (MN)
Dorchester County Adult Ed (SC)
Richland School Systems (SC)

6. National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
The credential is awarded in four levels and verifies skills proficiency in:
Case studies and Research show that employers benefit:
Problem solving & Critical thinking
Reading and using work-related text
Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems
Applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems
Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations
Locating, synthesizing, and applying information that is presented graphically
Comparing, summarizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple related graphics
Better quality hire
Reduced turnover
Reduction in time to hire
Shortened training periods
Increased performance ratings for skilled workers
Improved employee morale
Decreased operator error
Improving promotional procedures

7. NCRC- Credential Levels
ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT WorkKeys NCRC®) is an assessment-based credential issued at four levels. The NCRC measures and certifies the essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations.
Specifics on how this tool is used to assess work readiness- Discuss Onet and the tie to employment. Add whitepages

8. Career Skills Coaching
Participants are leveraging the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC™) to measure and close the skills gap — and building common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts.
Provide essential skill training customized for specific positions
Assistance with pre-employment activities for potential candidates
Connect with Adult Education students to establish Career Maps
Coordinate Career Maps with resume and workforce training workshops
Coordinate with Educational Pathways

9. CAREER 101- Individualized Training
A comprehensive program that brings together courses from both KeyTrain® and the Soft Skills Suite. It offers users an integrated approach to exploring careers and their skill requirements and builds life literacy through lessons about financial awareness, job searching, and more.
This individualized training is intended to develop your workforce.
ACT KeyTrain is a career curriculum designed to help people master the applied workplace skills measured by the NCRC assessments.
Provides Individualized Training

10. CAREER 101- KeyTRAIN KeyTrain courses:
Help users reach foundational career readiness
Enhance users’ cognitive skills
Offer introductory modules based on the National Career Clusters Framework
Three of the KeyTrain courses—Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information—will also prepare users for the NCRC

11. Bottom Line Impact to Employers
Employers need a reliable way to measure skills to ensure that they are hiring the most qualified, trainable candidates.
Identify and invest in employees who can make real contributions
Find qualified workers- Connect to under and unemployed individuals served through ABE programs.
Proven, verifiable means to determine applicant’s job skills
Reduce turnover & training costs
Increases on-the-job productivity
Streamline Applicant Screening
Employees have the employability/soft skills-
Essential to WIOA requirements and no longer remaining siloed in service delivery

12. AMERICAN JOB CENTER- WIOA SERVICES
DEFINE WIOA-
Mobile Partnership
Resume and Cover letter Workshops- Tied to Career Maps
Access to ResCare Academy- Computer Labs
Completing Application- NEWorks
Bringing WIOA into the classroom
WIOA Talent Development Specialists- Present to classes on WIOA program
Completing Application in class
Meet with Individuals at MCC Express.

13. Services offered through HWS & MCC
Job Fairs/Hiring Events
Self-Service Resource Room
NEworks Registration (State- supported online job board)
Unemployment Insurance
Vocational Rehabilitation
Personal Finance Coaching
Grants/Funding for Job Trainings
Veterans’ Services
Native American Services
Clothing Closet
Bilingual Staff
Services for Blind and Visually Impaired persons

14. Metropolitan Community College
Ex-offender Resource Services
Metropolitan Community College Adult Education / GED Services
Serves as proctoring agent for NCRC
Embedded into Earn & Learn program
Embedded in Workforce Training Academies
Instructional Connection to High- Demand Industry
Job/Skill Alignments

15. How We Got Started…
Heartland Work Ready Community

16. Heartland Work Ready Community Kick Off Event
Community Wide Kick Off Event
Heartland Work Ready Community Kick Off Event
We are not siloed.
March 2, 2017

18. Employer Partners

19. Einstein Says it Best… Any Questions?

20. Contact info:
Tammy Green – Director of Career Skills & Adult Education
Angie Whitfield– Assistant Director of Adult Education
Keith Station – Director of Business Relations

21. RESOURCES www.hws-ne.org www.mccneb.edu/PROTO