1. Credentialing students and aligning efforts
Learn to Earn, Stark State College

2. Is Stark State College fulfilling our critical workforce mission at a time of unprecedented need and demand for middle-skilled workers?

3. Historic mismatch of education and workforce needs in U.S. and Ohio
“Aligning Opportunities” Report funded by TeamNEO and the Cleveland Foundation cites mismatch between educational attainment of NEO residents and training employers require.*
By 2020, 65% of in-demand jobs will require a post-secondary credential
46% of residents ages 25+ have no post-secondary education
33% have a post-secondary credential, but not in an in-demand field.
21% have some college, but no degree
* Report is based on Ohio Means Jobs, U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics data

4. Current employer needs
From Wall Street to Main Street and from Washington to Columbus, there is concern about the growing skills gap that threatens the prosperity of our people, state and nation.
The gap is an anomaly: millions of people are unemployed or underemployed while middle-skills jobs go unfilled.
Jobs for the Future’s Middle-Skills
STEM Pathways Project developed the
Framework for advancement of
middle-skill career pathways with
support from the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation

7. Demand for middle skilled workers
Summit and Stark Counties will have more than 300,000 middle-skills jobs available now through 2025
Stark State provides certificate and degree programs that prepare the workforce of today and tomorrow to fill these middle-skills career needs
Sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and finance need pharmacy technicians, occupational therapy assistants, machinists, welders, construction managers, insurance sales agents, loan officers and more
These careers and others pay starting salaries that range from $36,000 to $43,000 per year
Middle skill jobs are defined by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services as being “in demand” and having an expected education level from more than a high school diploma to certificate or associate degree. (Source: Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc Q data set)

8. Stark State aligns efforts to meet demand
Stark State was approached by one employer in particular, DRB Systems, seeking an IT talent pipeline from as early as high school.
Superintendents
Pathway selection – High Demand Fields
Work with College faculty for College Credit Plus course alignment/ODE Industry Credential
Follows College Credit Plus Model
Workforce Partnerships-Internships, employment opportunities, tuition reimbursement
Committee Development- Career Services, Academics, Admissions, Marketing

9. Learn to Earn Pathways from high school to college to career
High school students earn college credits and industry- recognized credentials that lead to high-demand jobs in Information Technology, HVACR, Automotive, Welding, and more
It’s simple. It’s free. And students start while in high school.
Students continue on for an associate degree and beyond after high school
Stark State is the first college to offer pathways aligned with 2018 high school graduation requirements and high- demand jobs
*These pathways are currently aligned with the Ohio Department of Education Industry Credential and Workforce Readiness Graduation Pathway.
Our students can take courses that lead to a degree or certificate online, in the classroom, on nights and weekends. They can even take courses that seamlessly transfer to more than 30 universities and colleges, and spend less than half at Stark State on their first two, and sometimes, three years of a 4-year degree.

10. Marketing and awareness efforts
Superintendents
VIDEO
Counselor’s
Train Admission’s staff
College wide communication
Team Development-Career Pathway instructors, College Mentors, Admissions, Workforce
Employer Informational Meeting-Parents/students/Pathway Instructors, Counselors
Marketing

11. Learn to Earn
Ohio Department of Education leaders also see Learn to Earn as a unique program that is meeting students’ needs.
“Stark State is on the cutting edge when it comes to connecting area students to Ohio’s in-demand jobs,” said Paolo DeMaria, state superintendent of public instruction. “Through the Learn to Earn program, students earning College Credit Plus credits and industry-recognized credentials are getting a head start in their career while cutting down the cost of college.”

12. Stark State meets the demand
Dan Pittman, chief operating officer for DRB Systems in Akron, is finding his company’s partnership with Stark State College a return on investment that benefits business, students and the local community. “Through our work with Stark State, we are able to financially help talented technology students get a great education and begin a rewarding career with an industry leader while remaining local,” Pittman says. “The hands-on experience you gain through the program while getting paid is truly invaluable. All parties win.”   

13. Continuing to meet employer needs
Stark State continues to work with current employers in the area to add to the Learn to Earn offerings.
The goal is to continue to develop new pathways that prepare more students for industry recognized credentials, help them meet high school graduation requirements and prepare them to meet the current talent pipeline needs of the region’s employers.