OCTC’s Innovation Initiative for Non Traditional Students

Why Tech X? Adult students: difficult to reach, poor completion rates Employers are hiring under skilled workers Strong economy = students working more hours, difficult to devote time for school Traditional delivery methods/times do not meet students needs Industry partners willing to “train up” employees with baseline skills New IIC with state of the art labs Explored the FAB school options, good fit for employer needs

Project Overview & Implementation Tech X is a fast track program focused on developing multi-craft technicians with entry level competencies AND industry recognized credentials in welding, fabrication, robotics, and fork lift training. Since adult learners struggle with the relevance in academic programs, Tech X is: Competency-based and focuses on real world, project-based learning, beginning Day 1. Accelerated, hands-on training. Students are engaged and gain skill proficiency quickly. Skill attainment allows for job placement in their desired field during the 7-month (daytime schedule) to 9-month (evening schedule) program window. Production operation vs. Traditional classroom Students clock in for “work” and function as a work team. Master Instructors serve as supervisors, leading “project-based” activities incorporating technical skills.

Project Overview & Implementation A Tech X work team - Chief Institutional Officer, VP of Workforce Solutions, VP of Academic Affairs, Director of Grants and Resources, Director of Public Relations, the Project Director, and the Career Navigator - collaborated to: Build competency-based curriculum with academic certificates that are value-added and are also embedded in manufacturing and skilled trades degree programs. Plan, manage, and track the program and its performance; ensure appropriate marketing, recruitment, and retention functions.

Project Overview & Implementation A Project Director/Master Instructor supervises day to day program and operations. Director -Employer Liaison Ensures the program’s competencies align with industry Director can make job placements throughout a student’s program tenure.

Project Overview & Implementation Employer Recruitment: critical due to employer demand and student placements. Preliminary recruitment activities focused on engaging industry partners. Meetings held with 35 industry partners, and with one labor union. The Tech X team hosted 6 company tours at the new Industry Innovation Center (IIC), and co-sponsored an employer info session with the GO FAME chapter companies. Featured article in the region’s primary newspaper, a full-page ad in the GO Chamber’s GO Business Magazine, and a promotional brief in the President’s newsletter, targeting Advisory and Foundation Board members, Program Advisory Board members, industry partners, government officials, and other college stakeholders.

Project Overview & Implementation Student Recruitment paralleled employer recruiting and included: Info meetings with workforce agency partners, such as the KY Career Center and the Green River Business Services Team. Developed a Tech X marketing strategy which included: info items for student recruitment events, radio ads, large outdoor banners, presentations to the National Guard, a Tech X Public Info Session and Tour, 2 career fairs, and several high schools hosted “family” night college events. One-on-one recruitment with students who were previously unsuccessful in their efforts to be admitted to the GO FAME AMT program. Project launch date June 2018

Other Program Highlights Concierge student services, provided through an experienced Career Navigator. Modeled after the KY FAME program a “single point of contact” serves as a liaison between student services and participants, ensuring non-traditional students receive the wrap-around services needed for success. Concierge services, are available during daytime and evening hours. Flexible Hours: Tech X offer 2 tracks to provide flexibility for a variety of non- traditional, time-challenged adults. The daytime option: attend classes 8 hours per day, three days a week during a 7-month period (June-December). The evening option: attend classes 4 hours per evening, 4 nights a week during a 9-month period (June-February). Attendance for either option is interchangeable with instructor approval, so that daytime students to attend evening sessions and vice-versa. This flexibility allows non-traditional students scheduling flexibility.

Other Program Highlights Program Certificates/Certifications Earned by Each Graduate: Gas Welder Welder Helper Production Line Welder Exploratory Machining I Forklift Driver

Budget Original Budget Expended Budget (through January 31)   Original Budget Expended Budget  (through January 31) Projected Expenses  (February – June 30, 2019) Personnel $322,875.00 $244,481.67 $120,383.28 Equipment $0.00 Supplies $50,000.00 $33,006.25 $14,100.00 Other - Marketing $27,125.00 $17,754.73 $4,690.00 Total $400,000.00 $295,242.65 $139,173.28

Results Cohort 1: 75% persistence from summer to fall (Goal: 90%). Cohort 2: 80% persistence from fall to spring with 3.3 GPA. All cohort 1 entered part-time industry employment while in the program. Industry has hired and is currently interviewing students in cohorts 2 and 3 for part-time employment and allowomg them to complete the program. 3 cohorts since June, 33 total students (Goal: 32), 21 continuing students, 21% minority students Cohort 1: 9 of 12 graduated (Goal: 80%) with 2.97 GPA; 8 of 9 graduates (88%) obtained training related employment (Goal: 95%). Cohort 1: 32 cumulative credentials earned (Goal: 2 credentials),100% received forklift driver certification.

Sustainability The TechX program is sustainable with 32 students enrolled per year based on tuition generated. Current recruitment efforts project 35 to 45 students next year. Generates more than $5400 in tuition per student. Supports a Project Director/Master Instructor, additional Master Instructor, and consumables.

Next Steps A “rolling enrollment schedule” is planned, a year round program and more market-friendly enrollment windows, to generate greater enrollment. The model is encouraging discussions to create a Career Advantage: Automotive Tech and Construction model with similar components. Tech X is well received by adult students and industry. Companies already hiring program students are strong proponents of the program and will act as potential referrals of their own under skilled workers.

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