Birmingham O.R.E. “ Operation Real Experiences” Helping the Youth of Birmingham Unearth Interests in Science & Technology Careers

Birmingham ORE: Mission “Operation Real Experiences” is a new summertime job shadowing program, linking the youth of Birmingham with the science and technology marketplace via faith-based institutions Through exploration, young people will discover their passion in the world of work, ultimately increasing their productivity and satisfaction.

“Operation Real Experiences” is a new summertime job shadowing program, linking the youth of Birmingham with the science and technology marketplace via faith-based institutions

Through exploration, young people will discover their passion in the world of work, ultimately increasing their productivity and satisfaction.

Linking Youth with the Marketplace via local Faith-based Institutions Local Pastor Youth in the Community Adults in the Marketplace

Expected Outcomes for the Youth School-based Learning Environment Work-based Learning Environment School Performance Job Skill Performance Home and Faith-based Environments Personal Performance Career Success Productivity Skilled Employees Job Satisfaction Innovation

Birmingham ORE: The Goals Reach young people (13 to 18 years) in the Birmingham metro area in the summer of ’04 Create “the” new model for job shadowing that can impact other major metro areas across the U.S.

Reach young people (13 to 18 years) in the Birmingham metro area in the summer of ’04

Create “the” new model for job shadowing that can impact other major metro areas across the U.S.

Birmingham ORE: The Goals Equip young people with workplace communication skills and provide opportunities to explore the world of work Begin an annual offering of these exploration experiences for young people through summer, church programs in the Birmingham region

Equip young people with workplace communication skills and provide opportunities to explore the world of work

Begin an annual offering of these exploration experiences for young people through summer, church programs in the Birmingham region

Current System Job Skill Performance Grades K to 6 Grades 6 to 8 Grades 8 to 10 Grades 10 and 11 Grades 11 and 12 Beyond High School School-based Learning Environment 63% of Alabama employers can’t find skilled, entry level employees 75% of employees are not satisfied in their current work experience. Unskilled Laborer Jobs Application Demonstrate Excelled Ability (OJT) Mastery & Certification Demonstrate Specific Knowledge Work-based Learning Environment School Performance

Mission: Complete the Links Leadership Development Grades K to 6 Grades 6 to 8 Grades 8 to 10 Grades 10 and 11 Grades 11 and 12 Beyond High School Identify Areas of Interest Career Awareness Knowledge of general Career Clusters Career Exploration Linking Career to Workplace Skill Building Demonstrate Hard Workplace Skills Application Demonstrate Hard & Soft Skills Mastery & Certification Demonstrate Specific Knowledge Job Skill Performance School-based Learning Environment Work-based Learning Environment School Performance

Birmingham ORE: The Program Proven methodology In use by the Heritage Center, Alabaster, AL Modular format Interest assessment Biblically based instructions on work practices Internet research Life skills development and practice Multiple days of job shadowing

Proven methodology

In use by the Heritage Center, Alabaster, AL

Modular format

Interest assessment

Biblically based instructions on work practices

Internet research

Life skills development and practice

Multiple days of job shadowing

Birmingham ORE: Expected Outcomes Young people will become (more) motivated about their education Area school systems will see a decrease in the number of high school dropouts University retention rates will increase Ultimately, the Birmingham region’s workforce will be stronger

Young people will become (more) motivated about their education

Area school systems will see a decrease in the number of high school dropouts

University retention rates will increase

Ultimately, the Birmingham region’s workforce will be stronger

Birmingham ORE: Timing and Schedule Program to be announced when a sufficient number of partners are engaged ~ targeting early March ‘04 Training provided to faith-based institution coordinators in April ‘04 Programs offered to young people in June, July and August ’04 Funding needed ASAP for development and meet the ambitious schedule

Program to be announced when a sufficient number of partners are engaged ~ targeting early March ‘04

Training provided to faith-based institution coordinators in April ‘04

Programs offered to young people in June, July and August ’04

Funding needed ASAP for development and meet the ambitious schedule

Birmingham ORE: The Partners Lead agency (TBD) Supporting Players Elected Officials (program endorsement) Faith-based Community (delivery) Regional Youth Ministers Mission Birmingham Greater Birmingham Ministries Heritage Center (curriculum & product) TechBirmingham (marketplace & marketing) Central Alabama’s Promise (support)

Lead agency (TBD)

Supporting Players

Elected Officials (program endorsement)

Faith-based Community (delivery)

Regional Youth Ministers

Mission Birmingham

Greater Birmingham Ministries

Heritage Center (curriculum & product)

TechBirmingham (marketplace & marketing)

Central Alabama’s Promise (support)

Personal Testaments “… My Career Success job shadowing experience has changed my life … Now I know what I want to do and I’ve got to go to college…” David Robertson 11th Grade Gardendale HS “ We needed this experience (Job Shadowing) back in middle school…” Saroj Hardit 12th Grade Bessemer, AL “ What did you do to my kids? … they're on fire!!!” (with job shadowing) Mr.. Rodney Kenner Assistant Superintendent Tarrant HS

About the Heritage Center A faith and community based agency Accomplishments in the last five years include: Impacted 12,000 local youth and leveraged $5.6MM in resources $1.43 to $3.00 return on investment to employers Demonstrated the only successful Faith-based lead School-To-Career program in Central Alabama Sustainable High School Research & Science Centers in 2 local school systems Career Success Interns receive 89% job readiness rating from employers 90% college attendance among youth participants Developed and initiated the Career Success Gear-up program

A faith and community based agency

Accomplishments in the last five years include:

Impacted 12,000 local youth and leveraged $5.6MM in resources

$1.43 to $3.00 return on investment to employers

Demonstrated the only successful Faith-based lead School-To-Career program in Central Alabama

Sustainable High School Research & Science Centers in 2 local school systems

Career Success Interns receive 89% job readiness rating from employers

90% college attendance among youth participants

Developed and initiated the Career Success Gear-up program

Heritage Center’s Steps to Success Parental Involvement in Discerning Student’s Interest Exploration Links Interest to Career Path & Skill Requirements Skill Building Preparation & Exploration Application Internships & Re-evaluation Master & Certification Employability & Life Long Learning skills Awareness Links Interest to a Career Clusters Leadership Development