How has the workplace changed over the last 50 years?

• • • • Technology Production moving toward team approach Move toward multi skilled workers (able to do various parts of the process instead of only one) Increased investment in employees (looking for “trainable” employees) • • Baby boom generation leaving workforce Generation Y (born between 1978 – 1999) moving in

Current reality in the workplace… new employees are

not

measuring up

“The future U.S. workforce is here – and it is woefully ill prepared for the demands of today’s (and tomorrow’s) workplace. “ “When asked to assess new workforce entrants, employers report that many of the new entrants lack skills essential to job success.” “Employers expect young people to arrive in the workplace with a set of basic and applied skills, and the Workforce Readiness Report Card makes clear that the reality is not matching expectations.”

• • From “Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on New Entrants to the Workforce” Detailed survey of 431 human resources officials, conducted in 2006

What are these missing skills?

In Summary: Here is the foundation…

Basic Skills

-reading, writing, math, speaking, listening

Thinking Skills

-problem solving, knowing how to learn, decision making

Personal Qualities

- responsibility, self-management, integrity

Competencies (SCANS):

Resources Interpersonal Skills

Allocating time, money, materials, space and staff Working on teams, teaching, serving customers, leading, negotiating, working with people from diverse backgrounds

Information Systems Technology

Acquiring and evaluating data, organizing and maintaining files, interpreting and communicating, using computers to process information Understanding social, organizational & technological systems, monitoring and correcting performance, designing and improving systems Selecting equipment and tools, applying technology to specific tasks and maintaining and trouble shooting technologies

It’s what we “sell” Students attach more significance to learning that seems to directly relate to their success on the job Area businesses are keeping track

Good news!!

= Intentionality

Don’t:

revamp everything

Do:

Draw attention to job readiness skills you use in your classroom

Do:

Take teachable moments

Do:

Increase awareness of what employers are looking for in a candidate

A few ideas…

Require group work/discussion

Encourage peer revision

Address inappropriate email or weak handshake

A Chance to Reflect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuNJTeIN79Y (social studies lesson) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GsN5uwLEww (math lesson) Use the checklist to mark which job readiness skills the teacher is addressing in class.

What does this mean for you?

What skills will you make efforts to either highlight or begin using in your classes?