1. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Building a pipeline of diverse, well-qualified, young people for the skilled trades and engineering STEM Meeting October 12, 2008

2. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY UC CSU Community College Today’s High Schools: Failing to Prepare Most Students for Success 2 Poor primary education and the college prep high school model does not work for many students. The majority are not prepared to go to college. Source: UCLA IDEA 7 5 California High School Completion and Placement What is the path to success for the other 2/3?

3. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Context: What we have learned after one year Program Challenges Students Begin with Major Deficiencies in Skills and Knowledge: Overall student skill, curiosity, and knowledge is very low (math, literacy, computer, professionalism, research, basic knowledge, career awareness). Comprehensive Model: Given current student skill sets in our target areas, our model of intervention costs ~$5K per student per year. We can not serve the students we have attracted at significantly less money and we do not want to switch to an “easier” student as that would not align with our mission. Difficult Hiring Processes: Employer hiring processes are difficult to understand, lengthy, and not consistent. Student timeframe is short. Bad economic environment does not help. 3 Student Verbal and Math Ability Student Aptitudes

4. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Why we exist High School Reform (see Appendix 1) Low levels of international academic competitiveness Students not prepared to enter workforce Lack of entrepreneurial and innovative approaches High School Reform (see Appendix 1) Low levels of international academic competitiveness Students not prepared to enter workforce Lack of entrepreneurial and innovative approaches Workforce Development (see Appendix 2) Retiring baby boomers especially in the trades Crisis in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Environmental Sustainability Move towards energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy 4 We are a social entrepreneurial venture committed to improving the outlook for young people in California. Our mission is to build a pipeline of diverse, well-qualified, young people for the skilled trades and engineering. We are focused on some of the most important issues facing our country. Political Pressure for Change “Change is… investing in our crumbling infrastructure and transforming how we use energy and improving our schools and renewing our commitment to science and innovation.” Barack Obama, June 3, 2008 Political Pressure for Change “Change is… investing in our crumbling infrastructure and transforming how we use energy and improving our schools and renewing our commitment to science and innovation.” Barack Obama, June 3, 2008

5. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY 5 Infrastructure Academy Background History: We were formed as a partnership between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. This initiative was launched in September 2007 and enrolled its first students in January 2008. We were initially housed at Los Angeles City Hall and relocated to the Metropolitan Water District in September 2008. Key Partners IndustryLos Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) Southern California Gas Company Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Verizon LaborLA County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers California Building and Construction Trades Council EducationLA Trade Tech College College of Engineering, CSU-LA LA’s BEST GovernmentMayor Antonio Villaraigosa PUC Commissioner Timothy Simon City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Programs: After-school programs two afternoons per week (4-7pm) and some Fridays and Saturdays: Workforce readiness/”soft” skills English and math exam prep Technical knowledge Career preparation, and placement SitesPilot (2008)2008-09 LA Trade-Tech College 61 started 35 graduated 75 started College of Engineering at CSU-LA 110 started

6. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY 6 Tier 2 – Academic Requirements Reading WritingMath Engineering & Technology ListeningSpeaking Critical & Analytical Thinking Tier 1 – Personal Effectiveness Characteristics Interpersonal Skills Integrity ProfessionalismMotivation Dependability & Reliability Self- Development Flexibility & Adaptability Ability to Learn Tier 4 – Industry & Career Exposure Water Treatment & Distribution Electric Transmission & Distribution Gas Transmission & Distribution General Construction Utility Industry Overview Environmental Concerns & Regulations Tier 3 – Workplace Competencies Business Fundamentals Teamwork Following Directions Working with Tools & Technology Safety Awareness Source: Adapted from the Framework for Competencies for the Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution Industry, Center for Energy Workforce Development Learning Competencies Our learning competencies were developed by the energy industry based on what they expect of their workforce.

7. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Program Model for 2008-09 7 Summer Institute (6 weeks) Motivation: Develop student interest to give 100% effort and engage Assessment: Assess student academic and workforce skills Exposure: Exposure to program and field Interpersonal skills & Outdoor Ed Fall Quarter Personal Effectiveness LATTC: Construction Course (Nov-Feb) CSU-LA: Electronics Course (Sep – Dec) Public Speaking and Communication Goal-Setting and Evaluation Winter Quarter LATTC: Construction Course (Nov-Feb) CSU-LA: Robotics Course (Jan – Mar) English, Math, and Exam Preparation Resumes and Interviews Spring Quarter College and Career Applications and Placements Renewable Energy and Environment Elective courses InternshipJobCollege Our students are not prepared to succeed at either college or at work. They need intensive work to prepare themselves. Our program is designed to address their gaps in skill and knowledge between where they begin and what they need in order to get a job or succeed in college.

8. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Business Model 8 An after-school program is insufficient for our students. They also need direct work experience and the opportunity to make money and develop real work skills. The Infrastructure Academy also needs an ongoing funding stream to support its programmatic activities. To accomplish that, the Infrastructure Academy will launch Generation Power, a for-profit subsidiary to provide employment and generate income. We will focus on areas closely connected with our industry partners – energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation. Non-Profit After-school program focused on youth workforce development and career placement For-Profit Subsidiary Social Enterprise: Professionally managed, employ students Provide services to industry Residential Low Income Energy Efficiency Services School Water Conservation Solar Panel Installations Other Services Our first service offering will be Residential Low Income Energy Efficiency Services.

9. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY 9 Where do we go from here High School Career Preparation and Placement Address pipeline needs in skilled trades and across many entry-level professions High School STEM Programs Foster more interest in STEM careers and willingness to pursue these career paths in college Recent Graduate Green Jobs Be the first employer to provide entry-level job opportunities to green the economy We are committed to preparing young people for immediate careers in the emerging green economy. Our ability to participate in the STEM areas is based on our ability to create logical programmatic linkages and to attract funding to support this work.

10. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY 10 Appendices

11. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Achievements after one year Strengths/Achievements Successful Pilot Program: Delivered initial program from Jan – Jun 2008. Learned much about how to deliver program. Launched New Programs: Enrolled over 180 students in year 1 programs at CSU-LA and LA Trade Tech that started in July 2008. Built Organizational Capacity: Built an excellent team that is smart, motivated, and ready to change the world. Significant Support: Many organizations and individuals from different sectors have provided tremendous support to the Academy. Developed Awareness: Well- positioned in movement for Green Jobs and Career & Tech Ed. Detailed Achievements Pilot Results Graduated 35 students from Pilot. Of these: –22 were placed into summer internships –3 are going to the College of Engineering at CSU-LA –8 were juniors and are now in their senior year –1 has begun to work with the Infrastructure Academy –1 is working for The Gas Company; 8 are in-process –5 are enrolled in a pre-ECH course for DWP –5 are enrolled in community colleges New Programs In July 2008, we launched a Summer Institute at CSU-LA with 101 students and 44 at LA Trade Tech College In September, we enrolled both sites with at least 180 students total in the program (110 +at CSU-LA and 70+ at LATTC) Capacity-Building We have built an excellent team of 5 full-time staff, 5 Americorps members, and several key volunteers Established offices at MWD and at CSU-LA and LATTC. Support and Awareness We have built broad awareness amongst students, teachers, and counselors in 20+ high schools in our target areas. We have developed strong relationships across political, labor, regulatory agencies, and workforce development groups. We are well-positioned in the movement for Green Jobs and statewide interest in aligning Career and Technical Education with the emerging green sector 11

12. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY 12 Appendix 1a: An Educational Crisis Source: 2003 Trends in International Math and Science We are in a crisis. Incremental changes will not produce significantly better results. We need bold solutions. Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2005 U.S. vs. the World in Math & Science Rank 4 th Grade Reading47 th 8 th Grade Reading49 th 4 th Grade Math46 th 8 th Grade Math49 th California vs. U.S. Source: 2003 Trends in International Math and Science

13. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Appendix 1c: Today’s High Schools Don’t Prepare Students for Careers 13 81% of high school drop-outs said they want to see a connection between school and work. They want to be prepared for jobs.

14. INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY Appendix 2: Utilities’ Demand for Qualified Workers Under 29 30-39 40-49 50-59 Over 60 Age Range 14 Nationally, the utilities are nine years older than the rest of the workforce and over half of the employees will be eligible to retire over the next decade.