1. Realizing the Choctaw Dream
Rhonda Mize
Choctaw Nation Career Development Program

2. Choctaw Career Development
Tribal Mission Statement
To enhance the lives of all members through opportunities designed to develop healthy, successful and productive lifestyles
Tribal Vision
To achieve healthy, successful, productive, and self-sufficient lifestyles for a proud nation of Choctaws
Program Purpose
To facilitate education & training which leads to industry recognized certifications or licensures and self-sustaining employment for Choctaw tribal members
We take members from point A to Z: Z = gainful employment.

3. Our Clients Adult Choctaw Tribal Members
Provide assistance to those seeing education/training which leads to an industry recognized certification or licensure
High School Age Choctaw Tribal Members
Promote Career Readiness Certification and work with schools to provide career exploration activities
Choctaw Interlocal High School Students
Provide career class for all enrolled students

4. Key Components of Career Development
Career Guidance (KeyTrain/WorkKeys)
Relevant Academic Development (KeyTrain)
Education & Training (KeyTrain)
Credentialing (WorkKeys)
Knowledge of Employer Expectations (KeyTrain)
Success Experiences (KeyTrain /WorkKeys)
Employment Services (CRC)

5. Win-Win-Win Program! KeyTrain WorkKeys
Pre-Tests
Upskilling
Career Goals – preparing for successful career
WorkKeys Preparation – effective preparation for testing
WorkKeys
Occupational Profiles – used for goal setting
Industry Recognized Credentials – employment tool
Career Readiness Certification (CRC)
CRC Utilization – used in competitive job searching
Incentive Awards – the motivation

6. Academic Assessment Pre-Assessments
Step #1 – KeyTrain/Career Ready 101 Pre-tests
Applied Math
Locating Information
Reading for Information
Career Cluster-Based Assessments
Requirement for Payment of Training Assistance (minimum level 3)
Required for all Adult Clients and for Interlocal School Students

7. Your Chosen Career: ______RN________
KT/WK Goals
CR101’s KeyTrain pretests are an indicator of your current skills as compared to the skills necessary for success in your chosen career field. It also indicates your possible achievement in WorkKeys, the Career Readiness Certification (CRC) assessment. Your essential score levels are listed below:
Your Chosen Career: ______RN________
CR101-KeyTrain Goal: Applied Math: ___6___ WorkKeys Goal: Applied Math: ___5___
Locating Info: ___5___ Locating Info: ___4___
Reading for Info: ___6___ Reading for Info: ___5___
**your assessment scores in no way affect your educational funding through Career Development!

8. WorkKeys Occupational Profiles
Profiles Available in:
WK Occupation Profiles Database:
/profiles/occuprof/occutop.ht ml
bin/workkeys/occuprof/certifi cate/crc_lookup.cgi?SITE=crc &LETTER=a&
OKCIS – Occupations, WorkKeys
KeyTrain/Career Ready 101
Search for Occupations by CRC Scores

9. My KT/WK Spill…
1. KeyTrain Goals set by WorkKeys Occupational Profiles
The KT lessons are relevant to success in client’s chosen career field, and can help insure client has adequate skills for success on the job.
At the same time, client is preparing for success on the WorkKeys tests.
2. WorkKeys Testing/CRC
Through WK testing , client gains a credential that can be used along with the to help gain employment.
3. Choctaw Nation CRC Initiative
Award money up to $500 is available to Choctaw members who obtain a CRC.

10. Key #3 -- Relevant Academic Enhancement
Academic Guidance & Support
Relevant Academics
Utilization of KeyTrain Career Cluster Based Pre-assessments
Core KeyTrain Lessons
Other KeyTrain Lessons
KeyTrain Career Skills
Work Habits & Workplace Effectiveness (for CRC+)
Job Search
Communication Skills
Business Etiquette
Writing, Applied Technology, Listening, Observation, Teamwork, etc.
Financial Literacy
Tutoring Services
Additional Web-Based Lessons/Practice
WorkKeys Testing

11. Relevant Academic Enhancement
Nursing Entrance Prep Program
Potential Nursing Students
Focus on Academic Skill Building
Nursing Entrance Application
Nursing Entrance Prep Success!
Joe – low grades in H.S. courses, out of school for over 5 years, worried about academics and ability to succeed
KeyTrain Assessment & Enhancement
3rd Highest NET Scores in KTC Nursing Programs

12. Progression Toward the Dream
KeyTrain
Pre-tests Preparation Remediation
WorkKeys
Assessment
Career Readiness Certification
Documented Skills
Certification Used for Employment

13. Meeting Academic Goals
Clients obtain Oklahoma CRC and/or CRC+
CRC obtained should match WK Profile for chosen career field
Basic academic skills for success in the workplace
National CRC
Tiffany was our 1st Client to obtain the Gold CRC and $300 Initiative Award – She is studying Medical Coding/Billing

14. WorkKeys Initiative Process
Individual must be an approved CNCD client
Tribal Membership
Provide copy of Oklahoma CRC
National CRCs may also be submitted
Sign W-9 form
Checks are made
payable to client
Glenda earned her NCRC at Paris Jr. College.

15. CNCD WorkKeys Initiative
CRC Incentive Awards
Platinum = $400
Gold = $300
Silver = $200
Bronze = $100
CRC+ = $100

16. CRC Success Stories
Added confidence for previously not-so- successful students
Disadvantaged Students
Incarcerated Tribal Members
Award $ (held pending their release)
Employment Opportunities
Success Experiences

17. Education & Training
Leads to Industry Recognized Licensure or Certification
Short-term & Long-term
Technology Centers
Community/Junior College
Career Centers
Universities
2200+ Individuals in Training
CNA, LPN, RN, Truck Drivers, Teachers, Welders, HVAC Technicians, Automotive Technicians, Cosmetologists, Real Estate Agents, Accountants, etc.
900+ Individuals Placed in Jobs
750+ CRC Initiative Awards Paid

18. Choctaw Nation Interlocal – (alternative program for 8 county schools)
Assessments – Interests, Values, Abilities
OKCIS (or Discover):
Career Quest (Occ. Sort)
IDEAS Assessment
O’NET Interest Profiler
SKILLS
O’NET Work Importance Locator
Academics & Skill Building
KeyTrain:
Applied Mathematics
Locating Information
Reading for Information
  Career Clusters
Clusters Overview
Career Planning
Bridges Career Planning
Career Skills / Employer Expectations
Employer Expectations :
Employment & Separation Information
KeyTrain:
The Job Search
Resume, Cover Letter Preparation
Employment Application s
Work Habits
Communication Skills
Networking
Workplace Effectiveness
Business Etiquette
Personal Development:
Decision Making Skills
  Oral Presentation
Mock Interview
Portfolio Development
Career Readiness Certificate
WorkKeys Assessments / CRC
2010 Class Theme:
Preparing for Success!

19. High School Age Tribal Members
CNCD Career Counselors visit schools to provide program information and assist with school activities
Partnerships with JOM Programs to provide career exploration activities
Provide WorkKeys Testing & CRC’s
Provide WorkKeys testing for Alternative EOI’s
CRC Award Incentives
Career Expo
450+ high school students currently planning to attend Career Expo on April 7th

20. Employment Services Employability Skill Development
Resume & Cover Letter Development Training
Resume Critiquing
Interviewing Skills Training
Job Search Tips
Employment Application Completion Training
College Central Job Board
Employer Relations
Cost Benefit Analysis
LPN ($22k) to RN ($45k), Training Costs: $7k
Table Busser ($3.50/hr) to Diesel Tech ($14.00/hr), Training Costs: $4000

21. CNCD’s Annual Career Expo
Traditional Opening Ceremonies
Motivational Speaker
Employment & Educational Opportunities
190 Employers & Schools/Training Facilities
1900+ Job Seekers & Students
Lunch Provided for All
Transportation for Tribal Members
Employment Application Lab
Breakout Sessions/Workshops

22. Career Expo 2010
Join us on
April 7th!
Everyone is Welcome

23. “Oklahoma’s Premier Work Ready Region”
Certification Ceremony – November 10th, 2009
Kiamichi Technology Center, Idabel, OK
Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce & Governor’s Council for Workforce & Economic Development Initiative
Certified Work Ready Communities have a competitive advantage because they can qualify a skilled workforce to an existing employer or a new business considering Oklahoma for a new location.
The Work Ready Community project expands the Career Readiness Certification efforts and verifies that certified communities or regions have a sustainable, reliable pipeline that delivers the right workers with the right skills at the right time.

24. “Oklahoma’s Premier Work Ready Region”
13 Counties included:
Choctaw Atoka
Haskell Bryan
Latimer Coal
Leflore Johnston
McCurtain McIntosh
Pittsburg Hughes
Pushmataha
The nation’s largest Work Ready Community!

25. Celebration Ceremony Certification Presentation by:
Norma Noble, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development
Governor’s Commendation by Sec. of State, Susan Savage

26.
All clients are directed through our website to access their Career Ready 101/KeyTrain assessments

27. Additional Keys to Success–
Choctaw Asset Building (CAB) Program
CAB provides Choctaw tribal members with:
Financial Independence
Financial Literacy Training
Matching Funds (IDA)
“The Choctaw Nation is keenly aware of the challenges our tribal members face…This IDA savings program will provide the training and support they need to help them establish good financial habits, as well as, a high-quality asset and a path toward a brighter future.” Chief Gregory E. Pyle

28. Utilizing KeyTrain and WorkKeys Achieve to Success
Effective Career Counseling
Academic Assessment & Enhancement
Training
Credentialing
Employment Services
Economic & Workforce Development
Choctaw tribal members achieving healthy, successful, productive, and self-sufficient lifestyles

29. Questions?
Thank you!
Rhonda Mize, Academic Coordinator – –