Beyond the Tipping Point:Beyond the Tipping Point:Accelerating Innovation and Accelerating Innovation and

Alignment through the NCRCAlignment through the NCRC

Dr. Keith BirdDr. Keith BirdCorporation for a Skilled WorkforceCorporation for a Skilled Workforce

Michigan NCRC ConferenceMichigan NCRC ConferenceNovember 16, 2009November 16, 2009

Macro- Economic EnvironmentMacro- Economic Environment Ever Increasing Rate of ChangeEver Increasing Rate of Change Global Markets and Competition for Global Markets and Competition for

Products, Services and LaborProducts, Services and Labor New Rules for Churning Labor MarketsNew Rules for Churning Labor Markets

• From From Employment SecurityEmployment Security to to Employability Skills DevelopmentEmployability Skills Development

Changing DemographicsChanging Demographics Workplace and Learning Workplace and Learning

TransformationsTransformations Need for Need for Middle-Skill Middle-Skill Jobs/TrainingJobs/Training

Role of CCs – Focus by FoundationsRole of CCs – Focus by Foundations National Research and Dialogue on National Research and Dialogue on

the Role of Community Collegesthe Role of Community Colleges Growing adoption of targeted Growing adoption of targeted

industry strategiesindustry strategies Focus on “deep engagement” of Focus on “deep engagement” of

businessbusiness Emphasis on “authentic” credentialsEmphasis on “authentic” credentials

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Momentum Points/Imperatives for Momentum Points/Imperatives for Postsecondary TransformationPostsecondary Transformation

ARRAARRA American Graduation InitiativeAmerican Graduation Initiative

• the “new” career pathwaysthe “new” career pathways Comprehensive accountability metricsComprehensive accountability metrics Increasing Role of Technology and E-Increasing Role of Technology and E-

LearningLearning Critical Importance of Career Coaching Critical Importance of Career Coaching

and Navigationand Navigation

Momentum PointsMomentum Points WF Transformations-- WF Transformations--From From

Employment Security to Employability SkillsEmployment Security to Employability Skills

Life-long Learning 3.0Life-long Learning 3.0 Pedagogy to andragogy to heutagogyPedagogy to andragogy to heutagogy Algorithms replaced by New “Soft Skills”Algorithms replaced by New “Soft Skills” Shared responsibility for learning between Shared responsibility for learning between

worker and employerworker and employer Kaizen integrates with Systems-Thinking Kaizen integrates with Systems-Thinking

(Handlungskompetenz)(Handlungskompetenz)

Momentum PointsMomentum Points

Role of PS – Focus by FoundationsRole of PS – Focus by Foundations• AccessAccess• RetentionRetention• AttainmentAttainment• Credentials with labor market payoffCredentials with labor market payoff• Evaluation of current practices and “Promising Evaluation of current practices and “Promising

Practices”Practices”• Gates and Lumina funding for a national Gates and Lumina funding for a national

voluntary accountability system (“process voluntary accountability system (“process point” measures point” measures andand outcomes) outcomes)

Momentum PointsMomentum Points

National Research and Dialogue on National Research and Dialogue on the Role of PS and WFthe Role of PS and WF• credentials with labor market valuecredentials with labor market value• Multi-layered credentialing systems Multi-layered credentialing systems

(NAM)(NAM)• Career Pathways (Ladders/Lattices) Career Pathways (Ladders/Lattices)

Creating “on” and “off” ramps in P-20+ Creating “on” and “off” ramps in P-20+ frameworkframework

• Middle-Skill jobs Middle-Skill jobs

Challenges to US Competiveness and Challenges to US Competiveness and Worker Prosperity (The Springboard Worker Prosperity (The Springboard

Project (Oct. 2009)Project (Oct. 2009) EmployersEmployers

• 65% see increased needs for better skills, more 65% see increased needs for better skills, more technical skills, higher degrees, certificationstechnical skills, higher degrees, certifications

• 48% do not provide for training48% do not provide for training WorkersWorkers

• 62% recognize training and better skills are 62% recognize training and better skills are neededneeded

• 8 in ten workers show keen interest in training 8 in ten workers show keen interest in training and educationand education

• 71% of workers understand benefit of 71% of workers understand benefit of education beyond HSeducation beyond HS

Barriers Barriers

Convenience Convenience Money Money Lack of CustomizationLack of Customization Lack of AccreditationLack of Accreditation TimeTime DesireDesire Don’t know where to lookDon’t know where to look

Overcoming BarriersOvercoming Barriers

Flexible scheduling that fits life and Flexible scheduling that fits life and workwork

Tuition that is partially reimbursedTuition that is partially reimbursed Designed by local business Designed by local business

leaders/fill job growing in arealeaders/fill job growing in area On-line learningOn-line learning Designed by local employers/fill jobs Designed by local employers/fill jobs

with that employerwith that employer

Increasing Attention to National/Sector Increasing Attention to National/Sector (and Global) Standards(and Global) Standards

But—US lacks a consistent occupational But—US lacks a consistent occupational licensing system, except for a few licensing system, except for a few occupations, unlike other countries. occupations, unlike other countries.

Promising Signs:Promising Signs: ANSI’s New Evaluation Tool for Validation of CertificatesANSI’s New Evaluation Tool for Validation of Certificates

National Voluntary Standards for Higher EducationNational Voluntary Standards for Higher Education

CCSSO Common Core Standards InitiativeCCSSO Common Core Standards Initiative

From Bologna’s Qualification Frameworks and Tuning From Bologna’s Qualification Frameworks and Tuning Methodology to Lumina’s Tuning USAMethodology to Lumina’s Tuning USA

National Association of ManufacturersNational Association of Manufacturers• Manufacturing Skills Certification System (NCRC core foundation Manufacturing Skills Certification System (NCRC core foundation

to specific manufacturing skills certifications-CPT,NIMS,AWS, to specific manufacturing skills certifications-CPT,NIMS,AWS, SME) SME) 1111

The Evolution of the Business-Education The Evolution of the Business-Education Partnerships: Beyond “Business-Driven”Partnerships: Beyond “Business-Driven”

““Off the shelf” course offeringsOff the shelf” course offerings

Needs assessment/customized trainingNeeds assessment/customized training

Organizational development approach Organizational development approach (“Trusted Partner”)(“Trusted Partner”)

Deep engagement-Shared ownership of Deep engagement-Shared ownership of standards, curriculum and assessmentsstandards, curriculum and assessments

Employer Engagement: Employer Engagement: TowardToward a a Common Vision and Goals…Coordinating Around Common Vision and Goals…Coordinating Around

ResultsResults

Common Vision/Goals• Competitive businesses and communities• Skilled and agile workforce• Increased credentials• Comprehensive workforce solutions

Postsecondary Educ.• Training capacity• Strong business engagement• Responsive delivery• Leveraged resources

Workforce and Economic Development• Convener/Intermediary • Workforce intelligence• Leveraged resources• Sector strategies

Note: Not intended to be all inclusive of roles or partners

Synergistic Strategy Alignment Synergistic Strategy Alignment

Integrating regional targeted Integrating regional targeted industry (sector) initiatives and industry (sector) initiatives and a foundation skills certification a foundation skills certification system is a powerful system is a powerful combination for strengthening combination for strengthening the workforce, education, and the workforce, education, and economic development systemeconomic development system

State ExamplesState Examples Georgia Georgia Work ReadyWork Ready ColoradoColorado MichiganMichigan Oklahoma Oklahoma

Numerous states have strong Numerous states have strong sector initiatives sector initiatives oror strong career strong career readiness certificate initiatives, readiness certificate initiatives, few are effectively combining both few are effectively combining both

• Mission integration: Eliminate silos, external Mission integration: Eliminate silos, external and internaland internal

• Eliminate “non-credit”Eliminate “non-credit” Award college credit for business training (fractional credit)Award college credit for business training (fractional credit)

• Performance-based learning systems Performance-based learning systems Student mastery/formative and summative assessment Student mastery/formative and summative assessment

systemsystem

• New models of business engagementNew models of business engagement Sector initiativesSector initiatives Cross-functional teams (academic, workforce, student Cross-functional teams (academic, workforce, student

support, developmental education) support, developmental education) More vigorous curriculum development modelsMore vigorous curriculum development models

Institutional and Instructional Transformations

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Institutional and Instructional Transformations

• Multi-level industry based certifications/ Multi-level industry based certifications/ credentials credentials

Stackable/embedded certificates/credentialsStackable/embedded certificates/credentials NCRC as Foundational CredentialNCRC as Foundational Credential

• JIT, industry-driven curriculum developmentJIT, industry-driven curriculum development Turbo-DACUM/Delphi and "authentic assessments”Turbo-DACUM/Delphi and "authentic assessments” Global qualification standardsGlobal qualification standards

• ModularizationModularization ““Chunking” curriculum/fractionalizing creditChunking” curriculum/fractionalizing credit

• Sector-based career pathways: integrating Sector-based career pathways: integrating both Pipeline and Re-entry frameworksboth Pipeline and Re-entry frameworks

Institutional and Instructional Transformations

• Focus on “pipeline” and transitions between Focus on “pipeline” and transitions between “momentum points” (e.g., GED attainment)“momentum points” (e.g., GED attainment)

• Expanded supportive career coaching/ Expanded supportive career coaching/ navigation services (e.g. First Choice Career navigation services (e.g. First Choice Career Coaching-FC3)Coaching-FC3)

• Accelerated learning: Re-Imagineering design Accelerated learning: Re-Imagineering design and delivery modesand delivery modes

• Enhanced student success supportsEnhanced student success supports To meet business/labor market needs and eliminate To meet business/labor market needs and eliminate

barriersbarriers

• Developmental education redesignDevelopmental education redesign Integration of Basic Education with Integration of Basic Education with

Workforce EducationWorkforce Education Contexted learning - “I-BEST” modelContexted learning - “I-BEST” model Barriers to Increased AttainmentBarriers to Increased Attainment Opportunities for Policy Makers and Opportunities for Policy Makers and

Institutions (NCHEMS)Institutions (NCHEMS)• ““Vastly improved approach” to remedial/dev. Ed.Vastly improved approach” to remedial/dev. Ed.• Utilize workplace-oriented [contextual] approach Utilize workplace-oriented [contextual] approach

(WorkKeys and targeted instructional tools)(WorkKeys and targeted instructional tools)1919

Institutional and Instructional Transformations

Taking E-Learning and Taking E-Learning and Technology to the Next LevelTechnology to the Next Level

E-learning modulesE-learning modules• Short units of instructionShort units of instruction• Competency basedCompetency based• Award academic credit/Prior LearningAward academic credit/Prior Learning• Stackable credentials (embedded Stackable credentials (embedded

certificates)certificates)• All modules will lead to a credentialAll modules will lead to a credential• Peer review process for quality controlPeer review process for quality control• Based on quality rubrics and standardsBased on quality rubrics and standards

• Provides a Provides a basic foundation for developing the basic foundation for developing the “new skills”“new skills” requirements of the 21 requirements of the 21stst century century

• Assists in Assists in building the “pipeline” of workersbuilding the “pipeline” of workers with portable, translatable, meaningful credentials with portable, translatable, meaningful credentials

• Builds on and Builds on and leverages the regional and state leverages the regional and state build-outbuild-out of a “workforce credential” and of a “workforce credential” and “workforce certified” “workforce certified”

• Is enhanced by the leadership and credibility Is enhanced by the leadership and credibility of ACTof ACT and the power of the WorkKeys® System and the power of the WorkKeys® System

National Career Readiness Certificate: The Next Level

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National Career Readiness Certificate: The Next Level

Powerful economic development tool Powerful economic development tool in creating “pools” of certified in creating “pools” of certified workers workers

Can compare “validated” skills Can compare “validated” skills across the state and nation and the across the state and nation and the system to “upskill” for evolving and system to “upskill” for evolving and new jobsnew jobs

Next StepsNext Steps

Continue to expand adoption of NCRC WorkKeys Continue to expand adoption of NCRC WorkKeys (P-16+, WF)(P-16+, WF)

Ensure that the WorkKeys Ensure that the WorkKeys SystemSystem is is comprehensively deployed (Personal Skills comprehensively deployed (Personal Skills Assessments, Exit Credential, Profiling, Assessments, Exit Credential, Profiling, Developmental Ed)Developmental Ed)

Coordinate WorkKeys and NCRC with Regional Coordinate WorkKeys and NCRC with Regional Sector Strategies, the next evolution of Career Sector Strategies, the next evolution of Career Pathways and the Focus on CredentialsPathways and the Focus on Credentials

Align WorkKeys and NCRC with key policy Align WorkKeys and NCRC with key policy initiatives on Federal, State and Foundation levelsinitiatives on Federal, State and Foundation levels

Expand development of additional skills Expand development of additional skills certification systemscertification systems

Use as collaborative tool for regional workforce Use as collaborative tool for regional workforce alliancesalliances

Value of NCRC for eliminates NIH-Factor and Value of NCRC for eliminates NIH-Factor and institutionalizes foundational skills credential institutionalizes foundational skills credential (political transitions)(political transitions)

Builds on the recognition of the effectiveness of Builds on the recognition of the effectiveness of the WK system in identification, remediation, and the WK system in identification, remediation, and measurement of the foundational skills required measurement of the foundational skills required for career advancementfor career advancement

Participate in ACT’s national promotion and Participate in ACT’s national promotion and marketing of the NCRCmarketing of the NCRC

Advantages and Leverage Points

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The 5 Ss to Success

StrategicStrategic

SystemicSystemic

SynergisticSynergistic

SustainableSustainable

ScalableScalable