Helping students answer “what’s next?”

1. Helping students answer “what’s next?” OSPI School Counselor Summer Meeting 2013 Eleni Papadakis, Executive Director

2. 2 Who is the Workforce Board? • Tri-Partite – 9 Voting Members • 3 Business • 3 Labor • 3 Government: K-12, CTCs, Employment Security • Non-Voting Chair: • Cindy Zehnder • Non-Voting Representatives – 1 each from: • Targeted Disadvantaged Populations • Department of Commerce • Department of Social and Health Services • Local Elected Officials

3. 3 What We Do: • Planning and Coordination • 16 federal and state funds • Performance Evaluation • 5 core measures, plus skills gap analysis • Research and Development • New ways of working, filling service gaps, who is left behind • Consumer Protection • Student investments • Advise Governor, Legislature, and Congress on system improvements

4. 4 Troubles for Today’s Youth • High unemployment • Tumultuous shifts in job market • Lack of work experience and job skills • Disconnect between school and work • Unsure of life, career, and education pathways

5. 5 Youth Unemployment Youth unemployment persistently high – usually double adult unemployment rate But even higher during Great Recession …and AFTER In 2012, 16.7% of state’s young adults were unemployed vs. 7% older workers

6. 6 Youth vs. Adult Unemployment U.S. Unemployment Rate, 1980-2012 -not seasonally adjusted-

7. 7 Unemployment Trends Source: Employment Security Department

8. 8 Source: Employment Security Department

9. 9 Without Early Work Experience… • Decreased life long earnings • Delayed attainment of adult milestones: • Marriage • Home ownership • Children • Healthy practices • Career pathway momentum stall and churn

10. 10 High Skills, High Wages State PlanValues and Beliefs • Economy can provide a place for everyone interested • No single cookie cutter approach to student success; multiple pathways to success • Career relevance, meaningful career guidance, and industry engagement enhances success almost always

11. 11 Education and Careers • All pathways must connect to education beyond high school • Career focus helps give education meaning • Too many students don’t understand why they’re in school • Career education is essential in today’s economy

12. 12 High Skills, High WagesObjective 1: Improve availability and quality of career and education guidance for students in middle school, high school, and postsecondary institutions. Enhance career guidance for students Partner with employers Begin earlier Value all career paths Improve availability in middle and high schools Provide professional development to faculty Show variety of options Increase engagement of private sector Invite employers into classroom Provide students chance to explore workplaces Leverage private resources

13. 13 How do students learn about work? Teachers & Counselors Parents & Friends Media & Movies Employers

14. 14 Career Tools to Use CareerBridge.wa.gov • 6,000 education programs • Performance results for 40% of programs • Career quiz • Pay and employment outlook • Featured on NBC News and Hechinger Report • FREE!

15. 15 New and Improved:Where are You Going? Career Guide • Printed 200,000 copies this month • Career quiz + 100s of occupations + employment outlook • The printed companion of CareerBridge.wa.gov • FREE! Available now! Order copies at workforce@wtb.wa.gov or 360-709-4600

16. 16 How do students learn about work? Parents & Friends Teachers & Counselors Employers Media & Movies

17. 17 Partner with Employers • Professionals in the classroom • Project learning advisement • Workplace tours for students, teachers, and counselors • Job shadowing • Mentoring • Internships & apprenticeships • After school jobs • Curriculum development/industry standards

18. 18 Work Portfolio in lieu of Resume • Tells employer a store about the young person – like a resume • Paid and unpaid internships • Project-based or problem-based learning • Work competencies validated by employers (directly or indirectly) • Used to help student navigate education and employment pathways • High School and Beyond Plan and Culminating Project should tie to Work Portfolio

19. 19 Entrepreneurs make the best employees! Employment structures are shifting: Permanent Temporary Stable Contract Business opportunities: Apps Cooperative ownership Crowd-sourcing Niche markets for world-wide audiences

20. 20 What’s next? Multiple Pathways lead to: • Apprenticeships • Certificates • Associate’s degrees • Four-year degrees • Master’s degrees and beyond • Business owners • Employers

21. Questions? Eleni Papadakis eleni.papadakis@wtb.wa.gov 360-709-4600