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Expanding Career preparation opportunities in ABE Literacy action network summer institute August 13-16, 2013. LukeWorks, LLC. Contextualizing the GED: 3 Models. students obtain their GED and a vocational certificate simultaneously; and/or
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Expanding Career preparation opportunities in ABELiteracy action network summer instituteAugust 13-16, 2013 LukeWorks, LLC
Contextualizing the GED: 3 Models • students obtain their GED and a vocational certificate simultaneously; and/or • students obtain their GED and a general career readiness certificate simultaneously; and/or • students obtain their GED and begin occupational training which they continue in a postsecondary program.
Commonality Across the Models • In all 3 models, instructors teach students the subject areas needed to pass the GED exam in the context of a specific vocation, occupational field, or employment readiness certification
Benefits of this Approach • More directly help students prepare for and enter employment (while meeting NRS goals) • Prospects of marketable skills may increase incentives for students to attend, complete • Rescinding of AtB...need new pathways to credentials for low-income, non-traditional students
GED+ Occupational Certificate • Preparation to enter a specific occupation (e.g.; CNC operator, pharmacy technician, child care worker) • Preparation to enter a broader career field (e.g.; health care, administrative assistance, hospitality)
Specific Occupation v. Broader Career Field? • Easier to build the technical, in-depth skills required for a particular occupation by focusing narrowly • Easier to ask instructors to gain a good understanding of one occupation, rather than all the occupations that may exist within a career field v. • A course covering a career field is relevant to a larger student population • Contextualizing using career fields/career clusters gives students greater ability to generalize the content
GED + Career Readiness • NCRC or other general career readiness certificate • Some programs include Microsoft digital literacy certifications (helpful prep for new GED computer-based exam as well).
GED + College Preparation • GED Plus, Bridge programs • Part of larger career pathways model • Orientation to college
Challenges & Solutions • Instructor workload: Instructors must become highly knowledgeable about vocation/s or career field/s; and take the time and have the skills to incorporate that information into lesson plans designed to prepare students to pass the GED subject tests. • Partner w/vocational instructors at colleges, local employers to understand technical skills
Challenges & Solutions • Connecting to local economy for relevant course choice • Work with DEED labor market analysts
Challenges & Solutions • Costs: contextualized instruction can be expensive, with costs for staff training and curriculum development, materials, student recruitment, career aptitude assessments, support services, etc • ABE Supplemental Services, FastTRAC, MJSP, WIBs
Example: Commerical Driver’s License • “Good drivers are in demand...Few occupations offer more opportunity after such a short training period...Long distance truck drivers can expect an average first year salary between $30,000 and $35,000 and over $40,000 the second year. Good jobs are also available in safety supervision, dispatching, and management...”
CDL Training Opportunities? • Preparation for the written test (requires 6th-8th grade reading level); community colleges require Accuplacer 8th grade level to enroll in CDL training • Preparation for the 3-part road test • Most driving programs require learners to have a CDL permit to enroll in behind-the-wheel training
CDL Training Opportunities? • Number of non-native speakers want to become drivers • Number of individuals who want to obtain their CDL but must first obtain their regular (Class D) license
CDL Training Challenges? • Need a clean driving record • Behind the wheel training is expensive
Career Pathways • Commercial drivers fall into the broader category of careers known as Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics • MnDOT offers a career pathway in transportation and road maintenance. Begin as Transportation Associates (TA), an entry level position for trainees, who must hold a CDL Class A or B permit. Once a TA completes training, s/he is eligible to advance into more skilled, higher paid positions
Need to Know More? KiraDahlk and Luke Weisberg kira@lukeworks.net weisberg@lukeworks.net 612-377-3043 www.lukeworks.net