WIOA: Integration, Alignment, and Local Strategies Serena C. Walker, Ph.D. October 19, 2017

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

WIA WIOA. What’s Different? Core Partners…. 1 Client Core Partners… Shared Performance Core Partners… Shared Data Core Partners… Shared Strategies Core Partners… Shared One-Stop Center(s)

How is WIOA different?

WHO DOES WIOA GOVERN? WIOA governs programs and services provided by WIOA core partners: Department of Labor Department of Education Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Health and Human Services

State Workforce Development Board IT’S RELATIONAL Workforce Development Local Providers Core Partners State Workforce Development Board Unified State Plan

High Demand Occupations IT’S RELEVANT Industry Partnerships Integrated Education & Training Braided Services with Core Partners Training Apprenticeships Contextualized Curricula Blended Learning Career Pathways High Demand Occupations Skill Gaps Strategic Industries Low Literacy

IT’S RATIONAL “The mission here is very simple… we must expand opportunity to the people who need it most: the working men and women who represent the backbone of the world’s most dynamic and thriving economy.“ ---Joe Biden, former Vice President of The United States

Spirit of WIOA INTEGRATION (strategies, data, reporting) Alignment (goals, services, partnerships)

Workforce Investment Areas, GA

Adult Education and Literacy Programs, Activities and Services Include: Workplace adult education and literacy activities, Family literacy activities, English language acquisition activities, Integrated English literacy and civics education, Workforce preparation activities, or Integrated education and training.

Local Programs, Driven By: Local Workforce System Strategies Regional and Local Target Industries Career Pathways, Multiple Entry Points

Local Priorities: Outcome-focused Adult Education Alignment with local strategies Informed, equipped students Preparation for entry into the workforce, training, or higher education

Definition Career Pathways A system of services  purposed to equip individuals with the education and training necessary to obtain and retain employment.

Career Pathways … a SHARED responsibility between partners Partner efforts complement each other Partner outcomes efforts strengthen outcomes for other partners Partnerships are strategic to the local industry

CAREER PATHWAYS MAY INCLUDE Adult Education Workforce Development Economic Development Postsecondary education Career and Technical Education Vocational Rehabilitation TANF Employers Unions Industry Associations Etc.

IET is a component of a Career Pathway

IET—Integrated Education and Training Definition IET—Integrated Education and Training A service approach that provides adult education and literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster for the purpose of educational and career advancement. (WIOA Section 203)

Workforce Preparation Activities Include: Activities, programs, or services designed to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in: Utilizing resources; Using information; Working with others; Understanding systems; Skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education or training, or employment; and Other employability skills that increase an individual’s preparation for the workforce.

IET Provides goal-oriented, relevant, practical knowledge Leads to educational and economic mobility (*CLASP, “Integrated Education and Training: Model Programs for Building Career Pathways for Participants at Every Skill Level”)

What does IET look like at the local level? IET…local programs What does IET look like at the local level? IET minimum requirements Job training customized to local program, responsive to: Industry needs Local Resources Local network of services

IET:ABE Work readiness (soft skills) Instruction Contextualized around strategic industry (high demand) jobs in the region. Work readiness (soft skills) Career Awareness—employability requirements, application procedures Broad Terminology, Computation?

Infusing Occupational Knowledge and Skills Into the Curriculum IET:ASE Infusing Occupational Knowledge and Skills Into the Curriculum Work readiness (soft skills) Career Awareness—career assessments, employability requirements, application procedures Career Exploration—know the jobs and employers in the region Contextualized Curricula Training

Contextualization Contextualized Academics Reading, math, English, writing… around high demand jobs Contextualized Soft Skills Problem solving, critical thinking, work ethics in high demand jobs

IELCE—Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Definition IELCE—Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Education services provided to English  language learners who are adults, including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, that enables such adults to achieve competency in the English language and acquire the basic and more advanced skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers and citizens of the United States. (WIOA Section 203)

Next Steps for Transition Know the core partners… federal, state, LOCAL Know local strategies and key industries Support program  execution Facilitate pipeline opportunities for students (Career Pathways!) Equip students for employment and/or future study