North CarolinaCareer Pathways, Oh my!

Lisa Conger and Carol F. Short NC DPI CTE

NC Works Pathways Conference 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this session is to increase the awareness of policy and practice that results in increasing the partners understanding of career pathways and the value of the completion of a career pathway.

CAREER READINESS INITIATIVE TIMELINE

Pathways to

Prosperity

Work

began

Transition

Pathways

leadership to

NC Works

Commission

CCSSO Career

Readiness

Initiative

announced

New Skills for

Youth Grant

Funding

(JP Morgan

Chase)

NGA Policy

Academy on

Talent

Pipeline

2012 2014 2015 2016

Collective Impact

• NCDPI - CTE

• NCCCS

• North Carolina Department of Commerce

• BEST NC

• North Carolina Chamber of Commerce

• North Carolina Business Committee for Education

• The Education Cabinet

• PCG

Picture

Group Discussion #1

What is a Career Pathway and is it important that our students/clients complete a career pathway?

Record responses

Source: Pixabey

CAREER PATHWAYS• Quality and Rigorous Pathways• Professional Development• NC Works Certified Career

Pathways• Career and College Promise• Over 140,000 student

credentials• Career Development Plans• Reward LEAs based on pathway

outcomes• Scaled Pathways

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/cte/cte-career-pathways-directory.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11a_2-

_WZbZ2y6p7Oh2EfGhz2wRE&usp=sharing

Program of Study

A program of study (POS) is a comprehensive, structured approach for delivering academic and career and technical education to prepare students for postsecondary education and career success. US DOE

Career PathwaysA systemic approach to education, training and employment. Career pathways is a series of connected education and training strategies and support services that enable individuals to secure industry relevant certification and obtain employment within an occupational area and to advance to higher levels of future education and employment in that area. (Joint letter from US Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Labor 2012)

NC Certified Career PathwaysThe Gold Standard

These are key to engaging industry and

ensuring the education and training

pipeline at the local level is aligned with the

needs of local businesses. NC Certified

Career Pathways are purposeful plans for

education and training leading to

knowledge and skill acquisition and

successful careers with life sustaining

wages.

Group discussion #2• What are the commonalties and the differences?

• How do each of these contribute to a systemic statewide system for career pathways?

• Programs of Study

• Career Pathways

• NC Works Certified Career Pathways

Why is this work important for businesses?

• Talent, talent, talent

• Ensuring pipeline of well-trained potential workers

• Exposure to business & industry in the region

• Making the connection with Workforce, Economic Development, Vocational Rehab, Department of Health and Human Services…..

• Making the connection with education –secondary and post-secondary

• Aligning educational curriculums with current & future industry needs

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

• Beginning with employer needs in mind

• Emphasis on work-based learning for ALLstudents

• Reporting on student work-based learning

• Review and reorganization of CTE standardsaroundpathways that is led by employers

According to a study conducted by Gallup for Inside Higher Ed, 96 percent of chief academic officers claimed to be “extremely or somewhat confident” that their institutions are preparing students for success in the workforce. In contrast, just 11 percent of employer representatives said they believe that graduates have the skills and competencies needed by their businesses

Top Three Qualities of a Successful Partnership….

1. Trust

2. Compatible communication styles

3. Complementary Skills

19

Source: A Resource Guide To Engaging Employers by Randall Wilson (JFF)http://www.jff.org/publications?tags=56

Lessons Learned The Hard Way

• Start with industry partners.

• Other partners need to listen.

• Create a succession plan.

• Be fluid and flexible.

• Crucial conversations are important.

20

Unlocking North Carolina’s Economic Potential

• Skill demands are changing in the national and North Carolina labor markets

• Some postsecondary education is required for access to a better quality of life

• Better alignment of education, workforce & economic development is needed to

meet the future needs of both employees and employers

• The Need: 67% of the future jobs in North Carolina will require some type of postsecondary education

• The Goal: 67% of North Carolina working adults will have some postsecondary education by 2025

•Click play on the next slide to see 67%

24

Group Discussion What are the Benefits of Career Pathways for….

• Students

• Parents

• Secondary School Leadership

• Community Colleges/Universities

• Business/Industry

• Communities

• North Carolina Economy

So What Else?

• Career Pathway Incentive Grants

• Pathway Standards

• Greater Employer Engagement

• Increased opportunities for WBL and credential attainment

• Next Gen Sector Partnerships

• Greater Economic Prosperity for All in North Carolina

Contact Information

Carol F Short

Carol.Short@dpi.nc.gov

919-807-3822

Lisa Conger

Lisa.Conger@dpi.nc.gov

704-677-8968

Source for all pictures: Pixabey (free open source)