1. Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council (SBETC) Summary of 9/1 – 12/31/13 Presented : MWCA Job Seeker Services Committee Meeting 2/26/14, 1:00 p.m. 1

2. Project Initiation: One of four pilot sites funded by the Minnesota State Legislature State funds available for two years to provide career advising to high school students SBETC received $40,000 for year one; hopes to receive $84,000 for year two 2

3. Start Up “Newest kid on the block” Not enough funding and no sustainability resources to add staff; existing staff given additional assignments St. Cloud Schools had begun classes Have existing relationships with District 742 BUT not necessarily with faculty for this project. No dedicated planning/curriculum review time. Relationship building. Selection of classes/students – not formal 3

4. Partnering/Collaboration: District 742 partner helped determine model/roll out Two SBETC Career Counselors assigned 4 hours per week Served 60 students in four work experience classes at Apollo High School Served 58 students in four work experience classes at St. Cloud Area Learning Center (ALC) Served 24 students at the annual career event at St. Cloud Technical and Community College 4

5. Large Group Activities: Tours of the WorkForce Center, information about availability and accessibility of resources Assistance with attendance of the annual job fair at River’s Edge Convention Center Assistance with tours at annual career event for area students at St. Cloud Technical and Community College 5

6. Class Activities: Group Career Counseling to 132 students Instruction/presentation on ISEEK, ONET, the DEED website, LMI information, strategic industries and demand occupations Career exploration Career Assessments Resume Preparation Mock Interviews 6

7. Individual Activities: Individual career counseling to 55 students, some duplication with class activities on prior slide Instruction/presentation on ISEEK, ONET, the DEED website, LMI information, strategic industries and demand occupations Career exploration Career Assessments Resume Preparation Mock Interviews 7

8. Grades Served: 8

9. Numbers Served: 9

10. 10

11. Data Collection and Evaluation: In year one SBETC anticipated reaching 75-100 students and has exceeded that in first half of the year SBETC keeps track of attendance, topic covered and grade level of students each day Each student completes an evaluation at the end of each topic. Should students rank value? While District has student data base and community organizations may enter data, process for this project not yet completed. Working with other pilot sites so activity definitions, data collection and reporting is consistent 11

12. Worked Well: SBETC flexibility in response to classroom/student needs Per student surveys, students feel individual sessions are more helpful than group presentations Student surveys reflect mock interviewing to be their favorite activity The classroom teachers have stated all schools could benefit from HECAP services Building a rapport with students through group/classroom activities that increase in intensity to individual activities 12

13. Needs Improvement: Thoughtful and integrated start-up with school personnel including a review of existing school curriculum so activities supplement Defined menu of activities and services that are consistent across sites Determination of process by which schools, classes and students are selected to participate Consistent reporting 13

14. Moving Forward: SBETC will build on relationships by continuing to provide individual services to students at St. Cloud ALC and Apollo. SBETC will work with District 742 to develop a process by which schools, classes and students are selected to receive services. This process will involve an orientation to services and to evaluation/reporting. SBETC will consider offering mock interviewing at Tech High School (St. Cloud). SBETC will consider group presentations to a broader audience within the district rather than only to work experience classes. 14

15. Contact: David Green, Program Manager Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council Phone:320.308.5712 (D) 320.266.0510 (M) Email:dgreen@sbetc.org 15