Illinois Cooperative Education and Internship Association Spring Conference “The Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program

1. Illinois CooperativeEducation and Internship Association Spring Conference “The Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program Overview And a Showcase of the Bradley University Program” Presenter: Rich Jachino IBHE Grant Administrator April 29, 2011

2. Discussion points • Overview of IBHE, Statutory Responsibilities • Public Agenda for College and Career Success • Cooperative Work Study Program • Program overview, challenges, new reporting requirements • Evaluation and employer feedback • Criteria for reviewing applications • Characteristics of a high quality program • Schedule for FY2012 • Dawn Koeltzoe, Bradley University • Q and A Session

3. Illinois Board of Higher Ed (IBHE)Statutory Responsibilities • Created 1961 to plan and coordinate Illinois' system of colleges and universities • Statutory Responsibilities • Budget Development • Grant Administration • Information Systems • Master Planning • Academic Program Approval

4. Goals • Goal 1: Increase Educational Attainment • Goal 2: Ensure College Affordability • Goal 3:Address Workforce Needs • Goal 4: Enhance Economic Growth

5. ICEIA MissionIBHE Program Purpose • ICEIA Website: “To provide professional development and networking opportunities that will result in expanded work-based learning opportunities for students. ” • IBHE program rules: “Provide a program of financial assistance to support student cooperative work study programs in higher education to benefit students academically and financially, reduce reliance on loans, enhance public-private sector partnerships, and encourage students to seek permanent employment in Illinois. ”

6. Cooperative Work Study Program Overview • Consistent funding for past 20 years • Public, Independent for-profit and no-for-profit colleges, community colleges • FY2010 supported 51 institutions, 1,422 student, 677 businesses, between 70-80 of student who seek permanent employment were hired. • Allows students to get their foot in the door • Encourages social and community service • Creates new public/private partnerships • Reduces reliance on student loans

7. Challenges/Changes • More difficult for colleges and universities to keep employers and add new ones • Some colleges and universities have dropped out of the program • Delayed payments to students and employers • Reduced state funding limits maximum award request amounts • High unemployment in Illinois makes it more difficult to place interns and get hired in full-time positions • New quarterly reporting requirements passed last year, new evaluation questions • Release RFP earlier in the FY

8. Update from Comptroller’s Office By the numbers • Generally, bills are paid within 30 day, however… bills are paid generally ever 104 business days • Currently 208,635 in unpaid bills totaling $4.52 • $8.3 billion at the close of the fiscal year • Currently paying vouchers submitted on November 5, 2010 • FY10 Bradley voucher submitted, 3-2-10, paid on 9-30-10, 210 days • http://www.ioc.state.il.us/

10. Evaluation and Employer Feedback • Evaluation requirements and expectations have increased for all IBHE program • Evaluations indicate that employers are very satisfied in the quality of the interns who are placed in their businesses • “Student has great attention to detail and works well independently. She is very professional in her dealings with co-workers, program participants and the general public. Student assumes and handles responsibility well. She displays ethical behavior and exercises good judgment. She is flexible and can adapt to changing situations in a moment’s notice.”

11. Evaluation and Employer Feedback • “We have had great success with Waubonsee interns we have used in the past. I actually just offered one of them a full-time position.” • Employers are pleased to employ properly trained, well-educated interns at a reduced cost of normal wages • Interim evaluation reports the past two years indicate that between 60 and 78 percent of students are hired permanently

12. Characteristics of a high quality work study program • Addresses policy issues related to workforce and economic development • Maximizes the use of matching contributions from business, industry and government • Links to a student’s academic field and encourages social and community service • Well defined program articulation procedures • A comprehensive evaluation plan to measure program impact • Cost effective budget • Has a high percentage of students hired after the work study experience

13. Schedule For FY2012 • $1.23 million included in Governor’s budget • General Assembly adopts final budget • September 2011 release FY2012 application • Due November 2011 • December review of proposals • January 2012 develop board item • February Board of Higher Education approval • March submit vouchers to Comptroller

14. Bradley Program Key Strategies for Success • Integrated into the overall co-op internship program at Bradley • Have built and maintained successful long-term relationship with employers • Successful job fairs • Very high job placement • Concentrate on high demand fields

15. Summary • The IBHE work study program is a vehicle for supporting the Public Agenda goals • The IBHE has had to focus remaining grant resources into high need areas. Grant funding has become very competitive • The work study program continues to be a very successful program for students, institutions, and employers across the state of Illinois