abc’s of career pathways. a better future for wisconsin healthy communities with successful...

ABC’s of Career Pathways

A Better Future For Wisconsin

Healthy communities with

successful businesses

providing good jobs

Improved supply of

skilled workers for Wisconsin businesses

Reliable, relevant &

realistic ways for lower-skill adults to gain

skills for better jobs

Pathway to the Middle Class

“…Postsecondary education or training has become the threshold requirement for access to middle-class status and earnings in good times and in bad. It is no longer the preferred pathway to middle-class jobs—it is, increasingly, the only pathway.”

-- Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018, Carnevale, Smith, Strohl, 2010.

Education Required for Wisconsin Jobs

Wisconsin’s Forgotten Middle-Skills Jobs, National Skills Coalition, 2009. Calculated from WI Department of Workforce Development data.

Wisconsin’s Workforce of Tomorrow is in the Workforce Today

From WI Department of Administration population projections, 2008

3,183,170, or 89% of 2015 group

2,795,320, or 78% of 2020 group

2,355,500, or 66% of 2025 group

Labor Force Stagnates; Skills Needed

Wisconsin’s labor force has stopped growing Baby-boomers retiring (big portion of labor force) Young people entering labor force at lower rate

(education)Unless productivity increases, economy could

stagnate Productivity commonly (not always) tied to earnings With flat labor force, increased production of goods

and services depends on productivity gains

Impact of Aging Population on Wisconsin’s Workforce, Dept. Workforce Development Office of Economic Advisors, 2009

Value of Applied Associate Degree

Wisconsin United States

Wages Shares

Wages

Shares

Dropouts $9.16 4.3% $10.01

8.7%

High School $13.78

29.9%

$13.29

28.4%

Some Coll., No Deg.

$12.87

21.4%

$13.44

19.9%

Associate Degrees

$17.40

13.2%

$16.96

10.3%

Applied $17.24

8.8% $16.82

4.6%

Liberal Arts $17.81

4.4% $17.08

5.7%

Four-year College $23.07

31.0%

$24.81

32.4%

Median Wages and Education Level, 2009

Center On Wisconsin Strategy, State of Working Wisconsin - 2010

The Tipping Point

One year of college level credits plus a credential is needed to produce rewards:

• Earnings gains that stick• Meet employer expectations for

skilled workers• Prepared for moving even higher

in postsecondary education

Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges

RISE Target Population

1.4 million

1.3 million

695 thousand

18-54 yr old and either less than 2- or 4-yr degree or Limited English Proficiency

Worked last year

Less than median wage

COWS (Center on Wisconsin Strategy), Sep. 2009

(Regional Industry Skills Education)

Goal: Increase the number of adults who earn postsecondary credentials related to occupations in high demand.

Strategy: Career Pathway and Bridge Programs

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Diploma

Career Pathway—The Basic Idea

?Low Skill

Skilled

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Industry With Jobs

High School or Less

Education

Credentials

For employers: • Larger pool of qualified workers• Better pipeline to fill skilled jobs

from within• Higher retention, employee

loyalty

For workers: • Predictable path to job

advancement and higher wages• More employer support; easier

access to education• More security

Bridge

Career Pathways Model

Questions about Adult Career Pathways?

Please contact:Linda Preysz, Wisconsin Department of Workforce

Development(608)266-8437linda.preysz@dwd.state.wi.us

Willa Panzer, Wisconsin Technical College System(608)267-9065willa.panzer@wtcsystem.edu

RISEpartnership.org