Jennifer K. Foster Associate Vice President of Adult Education and Workforce Development Illinois Community College Board 0

Future Trends in Illinois Middle skill job growth Shortage of nurses by 2020 Accelerated retirement of middle skill workers Decline in resources for middle skill workers High percentage of workers’ lacking basic skills Increase in the number of low skill immigrants Three Critical Skill Shortage Areas: Health Care Manufacturing Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Integrating career pathways into an existing Adult Education system Participation in Several Initiatives Support of local development of Bridge Programs Instituting Bridge Programs-Development and Implementation Models Development of Core Training Development 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 Gears Examine existing structure and policies to determine how to institute bridge programs that will lead to postsecondary occupational programs and pathway employment. Policies Statewide Bridge Definition Adult Education Funding Clarifications Bridge Program Approval Process Support Services WIA 40% Training Policy 20Illinois.pdf Data Measurement and Evaluation 20Illinois.pdf

Strategic Plan for Adult Education “Creating Pathways for Adult Learners” Eight Guiding Principles: Responsiveness Collaboration Innovation Alignment Contextualization Accountability Evidence-based Teaching and Learning Professional Development Six Recommendations: Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction High Quality Teaching and Professional Development Support and Follow-Up Services Partnerships Research, Data, and Accountability Program 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 grants Followed the statewide bridge definition Key focus areas: Planning Assessment Curriculum and Instruction Recruitment and Retention Support Services Partnership/Collaboration

Bridge Training Core Training Assist local programs in the understanding Career Clusters Framework Understand terminology and the need for a pathway system Providing face to face and online training Bridge Development Training Understanding the Bridge Definition How 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 Sustainability Development of Policies Competitive RFP that address Bridge and other models Adult Education Standards Alignment Technology Skills Career Awareness EBRI Common Core and College Readiness Career Cluster Knowledge and Skills Statements Policy Discussions P-20 Council, Statewide Advisory Council, Adhoc Committees, Presidents Council, Student Services, Employers Transitions Academy

Lessons Learned and Recommendations Don’t forget the soft skills Targeted recruitment of students in bridge Examples of curriculum Locally developed curriculum Statewide curriculum Health Care Manufacturing Transportation, Distribution and Logistics * Common Definitions

Questions Contact Information: Bevan Gibson, Director Southern Illinois Professional Development Center