Project to identify potential causes for the skills gap and provide suggestions on what can be done to encourage the development and expansion of a skilled workforce in our area.

1. Developing a Skilled Workforce:
Student Survey
Class 2011 – 2012
Group 3

2. Meet the Team
 Crystal Reinoso, Consigny Law Firm,
S.C.
 Elaine Schultz, M&I BMO Harris Bank
 Gerri Downing, Siepert & Co, LLP
 Mike Rebman, City of Janesville
 Stephanie Schreier, Milton Area
Chamber of Commerce
 Yolanda Cargile, School District of
Janesville

3. Leadership Development
Academy
• Overview of Project
• Goal of LDA Project

4. Timeline of LDA Project
 November:
◦ Initial idea for Rock County 5.0 project and
other project ideas were discussed
 December:
◦ Group decision to go ahead with Rock
County 5.0 project
 January:
◦ Met with Rock County 5.0 to discuss details
◦ Formulated initial plan
◦ Developed survey questions
◦ Had student “test drive” survey

5. Timeline of LDA Project
• February:
o Survey finalized!
• March:
o Surveys emailed to Superintendents
o Press release issued by Rock County 5.0
• April:
o Project featured in Janesville Gazette and
monthly newsletter for Greater Beloit
Economic Development
o Survey closed and data gathered for
presentation

6. Demographic Information
District Participation Rate
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Beloit Memorial
Beloit Turner High School
Broadhead High School
Clinton High School
Edgerton High School
Evansville High School
Janesville School District
Milton High School
Parkview High School

7. Grade Level Participation
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Demographic Information

8. Demographic Information
0.00% 50.00% 100.00%
Femal
e
Male
American
Indian/
Alaska
Native
1%
Asian
2%
Black/
African
American
11%
Hispanic/
Latino
13%
Native
Hawiian/
Other
Pacific
Islander
0%
White/
Caucasia
n
73%
Gender Distribution Ethnic Distribution

9. How do students learn about
careers?
Classroom
Teacher
13%
School
Guidance
Counselor
17%
Parents
24%
Relatives
9%
Friends
5%
Internet
18%
Media-
TV,Radio
7% Other
7%

10. Student Career Aspirations
5.8%
7.1%
12.3%
1.4%
4.0%
2.7%
11.0%
1.0%
1.1%
9.7%
20.4%
3.3%
1.5%
0.8%
6.6%
1.5%
1.3%
1.4%
1.9%
5.3%
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Business Management & Administration
Arts, Audio/Video Technology &…
Information Technology
Architecture & Construction
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering &…
Government & Public Administration
Finance
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Health Services
Human Services
Hospitality & Tourism
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Education and Training
Marketing
Cosmetology
Veterinarian
Military
Other

11. When do students start to consider
career aspirations?
13.40%
48.90%
37.70%
High School Middle School Elementary School

12. Post High School Educational
Aspirations
Associate
Level
8%
Technical
Training
12%
4 Yr Degree
Program
60%
Military
6%
Workforce
2% Undecided
12%

13. What plays a role in decision on
where to live post graduation?
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Looking to stay in Rock County
Employment Opportunities
Cost of Housing and Quality of Life
Desire to live in Large Urban Area
Desire to move out of state

14. Where students entering the workforce plan to live?
Rock County
Area
44%
Urban
Area
7%
Out of State
27%
Other
22%

15. Students with a technical
focus
7.40%
12.10%
5.00%
6.70%
10.10%
9.10%
4.40%
3.40%
8.40%
7.00%
12.80%
1.30%
12.40%
Business Related
Computer/Technical
Culinary/Food Services
Early Childhood Education
Health Care Related Field
Nursing
Manufacturing Related Field
Electrical
Welding
Criminal Justice Program
Automotive
Landscaping/Horticultural
Other

16. Recommendations
Community Leaders
◦ Create a committee or agency that
would work to integrate vocational
training and workforce development at
a high school level.
◦ Provide sources of funding and
support.
Employers
◦ Identify industry needs and the skill
gaps.
◦ Increase investment in training and the
number of both self-sustaining jobs and
high-wage jobs.

17. Recommendations
Parents
◦ Encourage students to explore all career
options, not just 4 year degrees.
◦ Encourage students to participate in
vocational training in high school.
◦ Provide funding to receive vocational
certifications.
Students
◦ Participate in technical and skills
training, work-preparedness activities
and apprenticeships.
◦ Obtain vocational certifications prior to
high school graduation.

18. Recommendations
Educators
◦ Provide technical and vocational training
opportunities and certifications in high
school.
◦ 33% of students indicated they would like
more vocational training in school.
◦ Prepare students to enter vocational
courses and two year programs beyond
high school.
◦ Increase educator understanding of the
labor market and needs.

19. Survey Learning Opportunities
•Increase timeline for survey distribution.
•Explore ways to build key questions
into existing school district student
surveys.
•Limit or eliminate open ended
questions.
•Include Middle School (7th & 8th
Graders) into the surveyed population.

20. Conclusion
 Disconnect with 4 year degree
aspirations, and the statistical reality.
 Economic Development and growth,
can not happen with out a strong
workforce.
 Goal of the data is to provide a
framework to start a discussion
between employers and educators.

21. Special Thank you to….
 Rock County 5.0
◦ James Otterstein
◦ Mary Willmer
 Steve Huth, School District of
Janesville and affiliated with Stateline
Career & Technical Education
Academy.
 Eileen, Wirka, School District of
Janesville

22. A full report on the survey will be made
available after May 15. If you would like
to receive this full report, please reach
out to Elaine Schultz via e-mail at
elaine.schultz@micorp.com.