EXPANDING CAREER PREPARATION

OPPORTUNITIES IN ABELITERACY ACTION NETWORK SUMMER INSTITUTE

AUGUST 13-16, 2013

LukeWorks, LLC

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Contextualizing the GED: 3 Models

students obtain their GED and a vocational certificate simultaneously; and/or

students obtain their GED and a general career readiness certificate simultaneously; and/or

students obtain their GED and begin occupational training which they continue in a postsecondary program.

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Commonality Across the Models In all 3 models, instructors teach

students the subject areas needed to pass the GED exam in the context of a specific vocation, occupational field, or employment readiness certification

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Benefits of this Approach

More directly help students prepare for and enter employment (while meeting NRS goals)

Prospects of marketable skills may increase incentives for students to attend, complete

Rescinding of AtB...need new pathways to credentials for low-income, non-traditional students

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GED+ Occupational Certificate Preparation to enter a specific

occupation (e.g.; CNC operator, pharmacy technician,

child care worker)

Preparation to enter a broader career field (e.g.; health care, administrative assistance,

hospitality)

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Specific Occupation v. Broader Career Field?

Easier to build the technical, in-depth skills required for a particular occupation by focusing narrowly

Easier to ask instructors to gain a good understanding of one occupation, rather than all the occupations that may exist within a career field

v. A course covering a career field is relevant to a

larger student population Contextualizing using career fields/career clusters

gives students greater ability to generalize the content

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GED + Career Readiness

NCRC or other general career readiness certificate

Some programs include Microsoft digital literacy certifications (helpful prep for new GED computer-based exam as well).

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GED + College Preparation

GED Plus, Bridge programs Part of larger career pathways model Orientation to college

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Challenges & Solutions

Instructor workload: Instructors must become highly knowledgeable about vocation/s or career field/s; and take the time and have the skills to incorporate that information into lesson plans designed to prepare students to pass the GED subject tests.

Partner w/vocational instructors at colleges, local employers to understand technical skills

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Challenges & Solutions

Connecting to local economy for relevant course choice

Work with DEED labor market analysts

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Challenges & Solutions

Costs: contextualized instruction can be expensive, with costs for staff training and curriculum development, materials, student recruitment, career aptitude assessments, support services, etc

ABE Supplemental Services, FastTRAC, MJSP, WIBs

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Example: Commerical Driver’s License

“Good drivers are in demand...Few occupations offer more opportunity after such a short training period...Long distance truck drivers can expect an average first year salary between $30,000 and $35,000 and over $40,000 the second year. Good jobs are also available in safety supervision, dispatching, and management...”

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CDL Training Opportunities?

Preparation for the written test (requires 6th-8th grade reading level); community colleges require Accuplacer 8th grade level to enroll in CDL training

Preparation for the 3-part road test

Most driving programs require learners to have a CDL permit to enroll in behind-the-wheel training

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CDL Training Opportunities?

Number of non-native speakers want to become drivers

Number of individuals who want to obtain their CDL but must first obtain their regular (Class D) license

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CDL Training Challenges?

Need a clean driving record

Behind the wheel training is expensive

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Career Pathways

Commercial drivers fall into the broader category of careers known as Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

MnDOT offers a career pathway in transportation and road maintenance. Begin as Transportation Associates (TA), an entry level position for trainees, who must hold a CDL Class A or B permit. Once a TA completes training, s/he is eligible to advance into more skilled, higher paid positions

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Need to Know More?

Kira Dahlk and Luke Weisbergkira@lukeworks.net

weisberg@lukeworks.net

612-377-3043www.lukeworks.net