Skills Based Approach to Address Training and Job Access Issues

Partnership is the Key Heartland Workforce Solutions (HWS) is a non-profit organization made up of agencies from both the private and public sectors, dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for job seekers and employers in Douglas, Washington and Sarpy counties. Metropolitan Community College (MCC) delivers relevant, student-centered education to a diverse community of learners. Metropolitan Community College offers quality, affordable education to Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties, providing a learning environment where students can thrive and reach their academic goals. Whether a student is looking to further their education, take a professional development course or begin anew, our flexible scheduling, affordable costs, transferable credits and career services can give one the tools needed to reach dreams. Dual clientele: Job Seekers- (Human Service Agencies, GED, ESL, Re-entry, Unemployed, Under-employed) Businesses (H3- High Demand, High Wage, High Skill) Training Programs- Adult Basic Education Programs

Current Initiatives Career Readiness to Eliminate Disparities (CRED) National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) Metropolitan Community College partnership (Earn and Learn Strategy) Supported by US DOL grants Heartland Work Ready Community Initiative Utilizes the NCRC Certificate to create a pipeline to H3 Industry Industry Sector Strategy- Regional, employer-driven partnerships of industry, education and training, and other stakeholders that focus on the workforce needs of key industries in a regional labor market Manufacturing Information Technology Transportation/Distribution/Warehousing/Logistics Construction Healthcare Financial Services

How We Got Started… Heartland Work Ready Community- https://youtu.be/vpAlc3LHxpc

American Job Center- WIOA Services WIOA- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Mobile Partnership Resume and Cover letter Workshops- Tied to Career Maps Access to ResCare Academy- Computer Labs Completing Application- NEWorks Bringing WIOA into the classroom WIOA Talent Development Specialists- Present to classes on WIOA program Completing Application in class Meet with Individuals at MCC Express.

Skill Gap Identification- National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) The credential is awarded in four levels and verifies skills proficiency in: Case studies and Research show that employers benefit: Problem solving & Critical thinking Reading and using work-related text Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems Applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations Locating, synthesizing, and applying information that is presented graphically Comparing, summarizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple related graphics Better quality hire Reduced turnover Reduction in time to hire Shortened training periods Increased performance ratings for skilled workers Improved employee morale Decreased operator error Improving promotional procedures

Skills Based Approach Career Training Academies- Career Mapping ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC) ACT Career 101 Individualized Training Program Basic Computer Certification Customer Service Certification Work Ethics Certification Short Term Certifications Based on Career Mapping High Demand, High Wage ESL Instruction Levels 1-6 Conversation Partners Burlington English GED Instruction Transitions- ESL into GED if needed EdReady- Math/English Instruction i-Pathways Read Right Systems

Career Skills Coaching Participants are leveraging the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC™) to measure and close the skills gap — and building common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts. Provide essential skill training customized for specific positions Assistance with pre-employment activities for potential candidates Connect with Adult Education students to establish Career Maps Coordinate Career Maps with resume and workforce training workshops Coordinate with Educational Pathways

Career 101- Individualize Training Program A comprehensive program that brings together courses from both KeyTrain® and the Soft Skills Suite. It offers users an integrated approach to exploring careers and their skill requirements and builds life literacy through lessons about financial awareness, job searching, and more. This individualized training is intended to develop your workforce. ACT KeyTrain is a career curriculum designed to help people master the applied workplace skills measured by the NCRC assessments. Provides Individualized Training

Job Profiling Had to know our community- Adjusted our approach Job profiling brings the specifics of a job into focus. It provides users with: ... Useful information for hiring, promotion, and training—Job profiling establishes content validity for the ACT WorkKeys assessments, so you can feel confident using them to make selection, advancement, and training decisions. Job Profiling - ACT www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/workkeys-for.../job-profiling.html Had to know our community- Adjusted our approach Renamed: Job & Skill Alignment Focused Profile on Training Vs. Hiring Developed a customized training program Used to develop Curriculum- Individualized Training Prototype Design Program

Bottom Line Impact to Employers Employers need a reliable way to measure skills to ensure that they are hiring the most qualified, trainable candidates. Identify and invest in employees who can make real contributions Find qualified workers- Connect to under and unemployed individuals served through ABE programs. Proven, verifiable means to determine applicant’s job skills Reduce turnover & training costs Increases on-the-job productivity Streamline Applicant Screening Employees have the employability/soft skills- Essential to WIOA requirements and no longer remaining siloed in service delivery

Employer Partners

Contact info: Keith Station- Director of Business Relations kstation@hws-ne.org 402-934-2283 Tammy Green – Director of Career Skills & Adult Education tjgreen5@mccneb.edu 531-622-2688