1. Career Pathways in Manufacturing …a partnership of a community college and a community-based organization Wilbur Wright College – Humboldt Park Vocational Education Center Instituto del Progreso Latino

2. Instituto Progreso….. Mission: To contribute to the full development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment. Began teaching English in church basements 30 years ago. Made a strategic decision to teach English for employment 15 years ago.

3. Manufacturing Bridge Background. Started in 1995 as a partnership with Olive-Harvey College to meet the need of a new company to hire lots of residents in the Southeast. “Gap analysis” helped design the curriculum with input and initial instructors from the company. Outside educational consultant, Dr. Davis Jenkins, said we had a “bridge” program – bridging into employment and further education. Built program as an adult “Tech Prep” model to connect students at “pre- college” levels into community college programs along a defined career path with increasing levels of employment made possible by increasing levels of learning.

4. Manufacturing Bridge  Purpose: Connect limited English speakers/low literacy individuals to career path employment Occupational focus: Skilled machine operator and industrial maintenance positions. Target population: Latino immigrant dislocated workers. Educational levels: Multiple entry points (i.e. “on-ramps” onto pathway beginning depending on education level) and multiple exit points (“off-ramps”).

5. Program Design Considerations Skills Requirements – Manufacturing experience preferred. Language – 4.0 grade level in Reading English minimum. Certifications – Machine operator program utilizes Mfg. Skills Standards Council (MSSC) certifications, and NIMS. Career and occupational pathway

6. VESL B Production Technician Bridge (MSSC) CNC Advanced Certificate Industrial Maintenance Bridge 5 Months 4 Months EEIM Advanced Certificate 14 weeks Career Pathway Model

8. Key Program Components Recruitment & Screening-getting the right students Assessing Skill levels & Learning Readiness VESL – Contextualization from general to more technically specific. Staff - a “deep knowledge” of the industry. Evening/Saturday schedule Hands-on training with industry equipment Support services-advising, referrals for citizenship Internships/placement assistance -.

9. Partners & Roles: Instituto Recruitment: At one-stops, TV is effective. The following is a tape from a program we did: http://www.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2247631 http://www.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2247631 Counseling and support services, Applied academics: English, math, and basic computers. GED option thru Adult Ed. Job readiness and placement assistance Overall coordination and fiscal management

10. Partners Con’t Humboldt Park Vocational/Education Center of Wilbur Wright College: Technical training for Bridge and Advanced certificate programs Convenes Employer Advisory Council which includes the Tooling & Mfg. Assoc. Instructor certification and training

11. Funding Bridge program contract with the City of Chicago – Dept. of Family Support Services (DFSS) under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Individual Training Account (ITA) vouchers under WIA ICCB Adult Ed funding GED option and planning for beginning level of the Bridge.

12. Programming CNC Machine

14. Lessons  Recruitment – Employer representatives interview students before beginning program.  CBO/College partnership – regular & frequent communication.  Curricula – continue to refine & integrate across classes with instructor input.  Instructors – quality is critical – support & train  Counseling – support services also critical.

15. Funding Bridge program contract with the City of Chicago – Dept. of Family Support Services (DFSS) under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Individual Training Account (ITA) vouchers under WIA ICCB Adult Ed funding GED option and planning for beginning level of the Bridge.

16. Challenges On-going funding Connecting graduates to employment in a slow economy Transition to advanced certificate programs – timing, financial aid, etc.

17. Outcomes 88% completion of 3 groups during 2012 Over 90% of bridge graduates became employed, and/or Transitioned to advanced certificate programs. 55 placements since start of FY 2012 at an average of $12.33.