CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, works on many levels – from policy at the national, regional and state levels, to on-the-ground initiatives – to provide the tools for adults to successfully enter and advance in the workforce. This session will provide a brief snapshot of some of the tools and projects that have been successful in linking learning to work for high school students and young adults. • Industry-wide online education in the telecommunications and energy industries • A high school pipeline into the energy industry • Career mapping • Stackable credentials linked to sequential education • A nation-wide career readiness credential While this may look like a scattered list, this session will focus on the critical success factors, including the role of technology, common across these initiatives.

1. Things that Work – And WhyDigital Learning Spaces Jump Start Seminar February 23, 2010

2. 2 Agenda About CAEL – The Council of Adult and Experiential Learning A quick snapshot of strategies that work Online education in telecommunications and energy Career mapping – a shared roadmap “Stackable” credentials, education linked to job progressions A high school pipeline into the energy industry The National Career Readiness Credential Critical success factors The role of technology Let’s talk

3. 3 About CAEL Council for Adult and Experiential Learning A 501(c)3 non-profit, international organization for 34 years Chicago, IL with offices in Philadelphia, Denver and New York, NY Policy growing out of implementation Lifelong learning within the reach of every adult -- getting employed and staying employed

4. Industry Led Online Education 4

5. 5 Industry-wide online education The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning NACTEL NACTEL Since 1998 www.nactel.org The Energy Providers Coalition for Education EPCE Since 2001 www.epceonline.org

6. 6 About NACTEL and EPCE National industry coalitions collaborate to create online education solution used by all members. Governed by industry leaders Curriculum aligned with job families Curriculum collaboratively developed with industry subject matter experts Curriculum continually updated “Stackable” credentials Carefully selected and managed educational providers Instructor-led asynchronous learning results in high completion rates Equally available to incumbent workers in any location Industry sponsorship brings credibility and transportable credentials Supports both incumbent workers and those who want to enter the industry

7. Seattle City Light EPCE Partners Dominion Nuclear Business Unit

8. NACTEL Partners Representing nearly 2 million workers Education Partner Program Administrator

9. Career Mapping 9

10. 10 What is a Career Pathway? An accessible, user friendly workforce development tool Serving employers, current and future employees, schools, and workforce programs A clear job blueprint with Future outlook Job families Competency and skills Salary ranges Sources of education and training

11. 11 CAEL’s Career Pathway Experience

12. 12 Career Pathways: Critical Success Factors Industry-wide / regional (not a single employer) Industry buy in and endorsement, including senior levels Firmly embedded in job families, current and future Validated by industry subject matter experts Clear and easy to use Industry-vetted, “stackable” credentials Carefully selected & managed educational options Marketing: people need to know about it! Messaging to employers, incumbent workers, workforce boards, guidance counselors, student services Advising resources, if possible Led and managed by neutral intermediary

14. Target audience: High School Students

16. “Stackable” Credentials

17. Advanced Certificate inEmerging Telecommunications Technology CertificateIntroduction to Broadband Bachelor of Science in Professional Technology StudiesTelecommunications Concentration AS in Wireless Networking AS inNetworking Technology Certificate inBroadband Essentials Certificate inWireless Networking Certificate inVideo Technology Essentials CertificateIntroduction to Telecom The Telecommunications Industry of Today & Tomorrowand the Education to Get You There Associates in Applied Information Technology Telecom Networking Video Wireless AS inVideo Technologies AS inTelecom Certificate inTelecom Essentials

18. Online Energy Education…by the industry for the industry EPCE Education Pathways BS in Nuclear Engineering TechnologyExcelsior College High school curriculum for the Electric Power Industry Virtual High School Industrial Aptitudetest prep course Bismarck State College Orientation to the Electrical Industry Bismarck State College BSAST in Energy Utility TechnologyThomas Edison State College Courses to get connected to the energy industry Nuclear Power Certificate in Natural Gas DistributionThomas Edison State College AAS or Certificate in Nuclear Power TechnologyBismarck State College BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)Clemson University College Electric Power Natural Gas Or TakeIndividual Courses Electrical Engineering AAS or Certificate in Electric Power TechnologyBismarck State College

19. A High School Pipeline 18

21. Responding to the need of the industry to build a pipeline of qualified new employees.

22. First piloted in 2007 and 2008 in the Denver, CO Metro area with Department of Labor WIRED Grant

23. Locations today include

24. Metro Denver with Xcel Energy and the IBEW

25. Massachusetts with Northeast Utilities

26. Oklahoma and Arkansas with Oklahoma Gas & ElectricLight Up Your Future! Education Today…Energy Tomorrow

27. Education & Experience – Careers in the Energy Industry Industry sponsored AS and BS degrees Elements of the High School Pipeline Application for employment Paid internship Bismarck State College Industrial Aptitude Course - Online Individual career counseling Site visit / mentoring Bismarck State College Online Orientation to the Industry Site Visit Energy Employer Light Up Your Future! Education Today…Energy Tomorrow Virtual High School Online Math/Energy Course

28. The National Career Readiness Credential NCRC 21

30. Benefits of an NCRC Individuals: A link of education to real world readiness. Portable credential for basic workplace skills Business: Easy way to measure skills. Making qualified hiring decisions. Shortening training to full utilization. Cost reduction. Economic Development: Document the quality of workforce Education, Workforce Development, Training Organizations, and Business: Speaking a common language

31. TM 2009

32. 25 Success Factors – Across All Tools Involve all stakeholders (vs. working in silos) Employers play central role (jobs are the lynchpin) Get the message out: the product / promotion dilemma Scalability! Focus on the end user

33. 26 Using Technology (& being smart!) Technology provides: Access Scalability Opportunity to leverage resources But: Does it fit? Quality questions Focus on end user

34. 27 Let’s Talk Susan Kannel Executive Director, The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning Senior Director, The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning skannel@cael.org