1. Reversing Barriers in Workforce Development: Overcoming Basic Skills Deficiencies
Karen R. Brown, Vice President – Innovation & Strategic Learning, Fairfield County ‘s Community Foundation Norwalk, CT Craig Outhouse, Ed.D. – Principal Synergy Alternative High School, East Hartford Public Schools

2. “You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better
“You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By becoming a little better each and every day, over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”
                                                                                --John Wooden

3. Game Plan Session Overview (5 minutes) Summary of Problem (10 minutes)
Profile of Solutions (10 minutes)
Next Steps (10 minutes)
Feedback/Questions (1o minutes)

4. Session Overview
Objective Today: This workshop will introduce participants to strategies and techniques for engaging young people who possess basic skill deficiencies. The session will emphasize:
(1) Successes
(2) Challenges
(3) Future Work

5. Summary of Problem Part 1
Parthenon Group Study – Untapped potential Engaging all Connecticut youth  39,000 Disengaged/Disconnected Youth across the state
As high as 45,000 Opportunity Youth across the state – real opportunity if we collaborate, work smarter

6. Summary of Problem Part II
Shortage of Skilled workers
51% of WIOA Title 1 Youth are Basic Skills Deficient
63% of WIOA youth participants are HS dropouts/basic skills deficient
36% disabled, pregnant/parent, offender, homeless, English Learners
SUMMARY: Employers Need employees; youth/young adults need jobs
SOLUTIONS ???

7. Why we are here today Expansion of Basic Skills Deficits
Disengaged
Disconnected
Expansion of Basic Skills Deficits
If state of CT could reduce number of disengaged/disconnected youth by half:
2000 more HS graduates
8000 more jobs for young people
4000 fewer incarcerated youth
Economic value of $3 billion
Source – Parthenon Group (2016)
Moving from deficits  Opportunity  We NEED to come together and find some solutions

8. Profile of Students Student 1: Student 2:
Reading at around a sixth grade level
Regularly on cell phone
Rarely takes initiative
Late to work twice in first three weeks
Student 2:
Weak reading, writing, math skills. More acute for older youth, years old
Poor verbal communication skills
Challenges with resumes and cover letters – grammar and overall language deficiencies
Time management – keeping appointments, calling when late, etc.
Has previously enrolled in college, but dropped out
Transportation challenges (if you asked pointed questions about this!)
Ask audience about one positive trait they see in students and one example/opportunity for youth… use this as a transition to describe what our programs do for adolescents

9. Examples of Students we work with
Profile of Students
Examples of Students we work with
Student Profiles
I’m going to think about creating a 15 second video click to showcase “profiles” of various students who might be applying for a job (One positive example and one opportunity youth… use this as a transition to describe what our programs do for adolescents)

10. Profile 1: FCCF 9th and 10th Grade Summer Transition Programs
Summer Bridge Programs for high school graduates
Career Connections Program at Norwalk Community College

11. What Can We Collectively Do? Before High School Graduation
FCCF
What Can We Collectively Do? Before High School Graduation
Push down workplace readiness skill-building to high school years (e.g. P-Tech)
Expand the number of private sector SYEP work sites; business engagement with soft skills workshops.
Importance of 9th Grade
Highlight 9th grade and/or other successful interventions

12. What Can We Collectively Do? After High School Graduation
FCCF
What Can We Collectively Do? After High School Graduation
Operate and fund summer bridge programs for high school/GED graduates seeking post-secondary career training
Enroll more year olds in non-credit certificate programs in expanding job sectors (with embedded workplace strategies classes and support services, including mental health)

13. FCCF Lessons Learned from Grantmaking
Summer Bridge Programs can work – but not for all students
Students often don’t know where their academic deficiencies lie – role of out-of-school time programs
Summer and school-year internships can support academic skills-building, if the work site is the right setting (includes supervisor training)

14. Profile 2: Synergy High School
Career Readiness Inventory – Daily index that speaks to college/career readiness
Advisory Class that teaches soft skills – daily class led by teachers/support staff
Social/Emotional Learning – Teaching students how to behave
Applied Experiences – Internships & Dual Enrollment classes
Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

15. Career Readiness Inventory
Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

16. Career Readiness Data (CRI)
Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless
Over 150% increase in Hired/Likely Hired over two years
33 students had an intensive internship/college class experience last year
54 successful internship/college class experiences last year

17. Advisory Class Advisory Class that teaches soft skills –
30 minutes daily
Weekly review of academic, behavioral, career readiness, and attendance data
Soft skill work
Aligned to business needs, student skill deficits
Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

18. Social Emotional Learning
Talk about links to ELL/SPED/Pregnant/Parenting/Homeless

19. Applied Experiences Applied Experiences
Manchester Community College (MCC) dual enrollment class
Internships
CCAT Partnership
Ask for examples (from the audience) of how to connect HS students to life after HS

20. Next Steps Read Parthenon/Dalio Report  TODAY!!!
Sharing resources  re-engaging disconnected/disengaged youth
Expanding rigor in alternative programs  state involvement
Replicating successful models  celebrating successes one student at a time
Best practices in workforce development  Integrate into school settings
Soft skills training for ALL HS students  Graduation requirement?
Ask for audience suggestions before sharing our lists

21. Questions
Thank you!