IL Bridge Programs

Jennifer K. FosterAssociate Vice President of Adult Education and

Workforce DevelopmentIllinois Community College Board

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Future Trends in IllinoisMiddle skill job growthShortage of nurses by 2020Accelerated retirement of middle skill workersDecline in resources for middle skill workersHigh percentage of workers’ lacking basic skillsIncrease in the number of low skill immigrantsThree Critical Skill Shortage Areas:

Health CareManufacturingTransportation, Distribution and Logistics

Integrating career pathways into an existing Adult Education systemParticipation in Several InitiativesSupport of local development of Bridge

ProgramsInstituting Bridge Programs-Development

and Implementation ModelsDevelopment of Core TrainingDevelopment of Training for Bridge Programs

Understanding the needs

Who are the students you want to target?What does the labor market look like?Are there statewide standards or definitions?How can I use existing funding?Who are the partners that I need to help build

the project? What are the policies in serving students in

bridge programs?What needs to be in place to get local buy-in

and local participation?

Illinois Shifting GearsExamine existing structure and policies to determine how

to institute bridge programs that will lead to postsecondary occupational programs and pathway employment.

PoliciesStatewide Bridge DefinitionAdult Education Funding ClarificationsBridge Program Approval ProcessSupport ServicesWIA 40% Training Policy

http://occrl.illinois.edu/files/Reports/Training%20Policy%20in%20Illinois.pdf

Data Measurement and Evaluation http://occrl.illinois.edu/files/Reports/Training

%20Policy%20in%20Illinois.pdf

Strategic Plan for Adult Education“Creating Pathways for Adult Learners”

Eight Guiding Principles:ResponsivenessCollaborationInnovationAlignmentContextualizationAccountabilityEvidence-based

Teaching and LearningProfessional

Development

Six Recommendations:Assessment, Curriculum,

and InstructionHigh Quality Teaching

and Professional Development

Support and Follow-Up Services

PartnershipsResearch, Data, and

AccountabilityProgram Design

Illinois Adult Education Vision

We envision Adult Education as the foundation of a career pathways system that prepares adult learners for economic self sufficiency.

Bridge Development and Implementation Grants

Bridge Statewide grantsFollowed the statewide bridge definitionKey focus areas:

Planning Assessment Curriculum and Instruction Recruitment and Retention Support Services Partnership/Collaboration

Bridge TrainingCore Training

Assist local programs in the understanding Career Clusters Framework

Understand terminology and the need for a pathway systemProviding face to face and online training

Bridge Development TrainingUnderstanding the Bridge DefinitionHow to develop effective partnerships and who should be at

the table?How to develop a bridge curriculum?How to recruit and retain students in a bridge program?What resources are needed for AE students in a bridge

program to successfully transition to postsecondary education and employment

Scalability and SustainabilityDevelopment of PoliciesCompetitive RFP that address Bridge and other

modelsAdult Education Standards Alignment

Technology SkillsCareer AwarenessEBRICommon Core and College ReadinessCareer Cluster Knowledge and Skills Statements

Policy DiscussionsP-20 Council, Statewide Advisory Council, Adhoc

Committees, Presidents Council, Student Services, Employers

Transitions Academy

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Don’t forget the soft skillsTargeted recruitment of students in bridgeExamples of curriculum

Locally developed curriculumStatewide curriculum

Health Care Manufacturing Transportation, Distribution and Logistics *

Common Definitions

QuestionsContact Information:

Bevan Gibson, DirectorSouthern Illinois Professional Development

Centerbgibson@siue.edu618-650-2254