1. February 5, 2015 1

2. Maine Adult Education’s Career Pathways Plan has been revised to align with the federal definition of Career Pathways as contained in WIOA. Maine Adult Education will continue to use the Career Pathways Plan as a strategic planning tool that will assist local programs in meeting both the federal legislative requirements of WIOA and Maine statute. 2

3. Career Pathways – a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training and other services that: A. align with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the State or regional economy involved; B. prepare an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including registered apprenticeships; C. include counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals; 3

4. 4 D. includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster; E. organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent possible; F. enables an individual to attain a secondary high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and G. helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

5.  Incorporates the WIOA requirements.  The PDF version of the Plan contains the former language so the changes are more easily recognizable.  Underlining in the PDF version denotes the WIOA changes to the document and strike-outs show the language being replaced.  Local programs are asked to clearly outline both their process and appropriate action steps to ensure federal and state career pathways alignment. 5

6. 6  Review the template carefully  Refer to the recently distributed WIOA and Maine Adult Education Guidance document for clarification of terms and expectations  Meet with staff, partner organizations, students and all other appropriate parties to gather input on how to align local program activities with WIOA requirements  Review Current Activities for those that already meet WIOA requirements or may need only slight adjustments  Current Activities – This section of the plan can be completed by cutting and pasting relevant activities from prior approved Plans

7.  It is not feasible to expect all programs to be in alignment with all WIOA requirements as of July 1, 2015  Programs are expected to lay the groundwork for full implementation by July 1, 2016  Those action steps should still be noted in the FY16 Plan and reflected appropriately in the timeline 7

8.  Because they are critical to all other elements of successful WIOA integration and implementation, for FY16, programs should focus on: ◦ Component #1 Partnerships and Alignment ◦ Component #6 Instruction ◦ Component #11 Educational Programming – Determine if local program definitions of educational programming agree with WIOA CP definitions and in addition look for alignment with evidence that local program meets the 13 considerations for determination of eligible providers. 8

9.  CareerCenter provides space 6 hrs/wk for HiSET prep and CASAS testing  Community College provides information about adult education to students with low ACCUPLACER scores  XYZ Nursing Home provides clinical site for 2 CNA classes/yr 9

10. 1. Offer programs that, wherever possible, align with LWIB plan priorities 1.Action Steps – Meet with LWIB to develop understanding of each organizations roles and responsibilities to incorporate into an MOU. Review current adult education offerings to determine where changes may need to be made to satisfy employer needs. 2.Action Steps -Meet with neighboring adult education programs to discuss how we might benefit from collaborating to fulfill CP requirements and identify efficiencies. Where might increased technology help? How can we work together to meet the LWIB plan priorities? 10

11.  The FY16 Plan is due to the State Office by 5 pm on Friday, May 1  Acknowledgement letters of Plan approval will be sent out Please email any questions to gail.senese@maine.govgail.senese@maine.gov Subject line: CP Plans and WIOA 11