Pathways to Postsecondary Education and Career Training. for Immigrants and English Language Learners. OCTAE Webinar December 17, 2015

Transcription

1 Pathways to Postsecondary Education and Career Training for Immigrants and English Language Learners OCTAE Webinar December 17, 2015

2 Our Vision We seek an America that grows its economy by investing in its people, so that every worker and every industry has the skills to compete and prosper.

3 Our Mission We organize broad- based coalitions seeking to raise the skills of America s workers across a range of industries. We advocate for public policies that invest in what works, as informed by our members real- world expertise. And we communicate these goals to an American public seeking a vision for a strong U.S. economy that allows everyone to be part of its success.

4 Context: The US Needs Middle-Skill Workers Source: NSC analysis of BLS and ACS data

5 Many Individuals Could Benefit from Training for Middle-Skill Jobs Source: 2013 Current Population Survey (CPS); Disconnected youth estimate from Center for American Progress based on 2013 CPS data.

6 Connecting Immigrants to Effective Training Helps Fill Skill Gaps Demand- driven means training linked to local employers skill needs (it s also called job- driven) Photo credit: Flickr user UNH Manchester. Used by permission under a Creative Commons license.

7 Effective Training Is Also Stackable 2- year Degrees Other Industry- Recognized Credentials Short- term Occupational Skills Training Certificates and Certifications Adult Basic Education/ High School Equivalency Integrated Education and Training

8 What You Can Do Pu#ing Immigrant Students on a Path to Credentials & Careers: 1. Make strong referrals 2. Provide pathway navigation 3. Implement effective program models 4. Engage in policy advocacy

9 Make Strong Referrals Having a broad and deep knowledge of potential next steps for your immigrant students and clients can help you make effective education and training referrals Photo credit: Cathy Yeulet, copyright 123rf.com

10 Potential Referral Opportunities WIOA Title I Individual Training Account vouchers (work-authorized individuals) WIOA Youth services (age 16-24, not in school or working, meet eligibility criteria) SNAP Employment & Training programs (food-stampeligible individuals) Perkins Act Career & Technical Education programs (postsecondary options not available in all states)

11 Case Example: Friendly House Operating within tight legal constraints in Arizona Created self- pay GED classes for DACA- eligible youth Once youth received DACA work permits, used WIOA Title I vouchers for occupational training

12 Provide Pathway Navigation Education and career counselors Can help individuals make informed choices about training opportunities Some draw parallels to Affordable Care Act patient navigators Others compare to promotora model Deep knowledge of educational options/resources and cultural/ linguistic factors is important

13 Case Example: Iowa s PACE Act Pathways for Academic Career and Employment (PACE) Act (2011) Targets low- income participants Integrates basic skills and work readiness with occupational training Customized case management and support services: career navigators

14 Implement Effective Models: Integrated Education & Training Integrated Education and Training model such as I- BEST have a track record of success in serving ELLs Opportunity under WIOA to launch new or expand existing IET programs Photo credit: Flickr user UNH Manchester. Used by permission under a Creative Commons license.

15 Who s Doing IET Already? Resources Interviews with California IET practitioners: online.org/ onlinevideolibrary/iet.asp Examples of nonprofit/ community college partnerships to serve immigrant workers: Photo credit: Lisa Young, copyright 123rf.com

16 Implement Effective Models: Industry Sector Partnerships Can use WIOA statewide set- aside funds to develop or expand sector partnerships Local workforce boards must develop, convene, or implement sector partnerships See examples: workforce- partnership

17 Engage in Policy Advocacy: JOBS Act Introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D- VA) Expands Pell Grant eligibility to short- term training programs with industry recognition Eligible programs at least 150 clock hours over 8 weeks, meeting needs of local workforce

18 Engage in Policy Advocacy: Community College to Career Fund Act Introduced by Sen. Franken (D- MN), Rep. Duckworth (D- IL) Supports grants to partnerships between community colleges, employers to develop and implement career training programs

19 Resource Library: Workforce Policy Advocacy for Dreamers / federal- policy/immigration

20 Resource Library: Career Pathways for Lower-Skilled Individuals Career Foundations Curriculum The Career Foundations: Making Your Education Work for You curriculum helps students who read at a 4th grade level or above or who speak limited English assess their skills and interests, explore career paths, and craft a plan to get them to college. womenemployed.org/pathways- careers- network

21 Resource Library: Understanding Immigrant Integration Networks for Integrating New Americans is a 3- year federal technical assistance initiative from OCTAE Five sites (RI, PA, WA, CA, ID) Each site includes an AEFLA- funded organization as a core member of the local network Read the Theoretical Framework:

22 Stay Connected Visit our website. Sign up for our member list. Follow us on:

23 Contact Amanda Bergson- Shilcock Senior Policy Analyst