Transcript www.cte.mnscu.edu

FastTRAC Programs
Pathways, Partnerships & Perkins
November 3, 2009

Jaime Simonsen
◦ Dean of Adult Education & Training

Gretchen Rixie
◦ Director of Student & Workforce Support
Welcome

Provide information about the MN
FastTRAC Initiative

Give examples of FastTRAC work at North
Hennepin Community College

Offer an opportunity to reflect on
partnerships within your institution
Overview

3,281,066 Working-Age Adults
(18-64 years old)

60.2% / 1,976,325 No College Degree
(associate’s degree or higher)
◦ 12.7% No High School diploma or equivalent
◦ 45.2% Have completed High School (no college)
◦ 42.1% Have completed some college (no degree)
Minnesota’s Working-Age Adults
Source: Adult Learning in Focus, Minnesota Profile of Adult Learners 2008
Earnings Potential
Source: Adult Learning in Focus, Minnesota Profile of Adult Learners 2008
To stay competitive
with other countries,
at least 55% of the
U.S. workforce must
earn at least an
associate degree...
US currently at
34%
MN at about 40%
National Degree Shortfall

Brooklyn Park, MN
◦ Hennepin, Wright, Sherburne counties

16,000+ students annually (credit & non-credit)

College Highlights:
◦ Adult friendly schedules/
programs
◦ ABE connections
◦ 4-year university programs
North Hennepin Community College
Adult
Education &
Training
Adult Degree
Options
Continuing
Education
Customized
Training
Student
Success
College Prep
Perkins
ADEV/ESOL
High School
Outreach
TRIO
SSS/Upward
Bound
North Hennepin Community College

GOAL: Build a statewide “stackable credentials”
framework for delivering education, training, and
employment services.

Collaborative effort by DEED, MnSCU, ABE
◦ stackable credentials framework refers to highly
coordinated programming and policy alignment
across Adult Basic Education (ABE), the WorkForce
Center System, the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities (MnSCU) System, and community based
organizations (CBOs) that provide training and
employment services
MN FastTRAC
(Training, Resources And Credentialing)

Stackable Credentials include:
◦ Career pathway models
◦ Accelerated programming
◦ Multi-level, industry-recognized credentials
◦ Contextualized and competency-based curriculum
◦ Flexible entry points
◦ Connections to regional high-demand job needs
◦ Support services specific to adult students
◦ Comprehensive data collection and evaluation
MN FastTRAC
(Training, Resources And Credentialing)

History of Initiative

Funding support:
Joyce Foundation’s Shifting Gears Initiative
2007-2008
Planning Grant
July 2008
7 incubator programs funded
Summer 2009
FastTRAC Supplement for WIBs
August 2009
FastTRAC proposal to Joyce
Foundation
November 2009
FastTRAC RFP to WIBs
MN FastTRAC
(Training, Resources And Credentialing)

Collaboration: Osseo Adult & Family Learning,
Mindquest Academy & NHCC

Provides FREE, individualized, online College
Preparation classes

Student perspective...
“I do appreciate everything ya'll are doing for
me, it's changing my life.”
Marla
College Prep
Continuing
Education
Classes:
Career
Exlporation
Class:
-Reflection and
career research
-Explore career
challenges and
values
- Assesments
- Create a
career/education
plan
- FREE classes
($700)
- Compliment career
exploration class and
enhance skills
- Earn
certificates...great
for your resume!
Support from
College Prep &
Adult Education
& Training Staff
Career
Step
College Prep Career Step

Increased collaboration (College Prep, Adult Education
& Training, Perkins, etc.)

Doubled College Prep Enrollment in about 6 months
Advertising
Referrals
Expanded Outreach (ABE Visits, WorkForce presentations)




College Prep Career Step
a)
b)
c)
Continuing education courses prepared students for the
workforce and/or college classes (90+ classes completed)
20 students in Career Step program
Good option for dislocated workers returning to school

Added Staff & New Initiatives

65% of College Prep students transition into college
College Prep Outcomes

Continuation of FastTRAC Team

Communication – Communication

Continued expansion of partnerships
◦ Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grants

Sustainable funding & support
What would this look like at your institution?
Looking into the Future

Bridges to Opportunity for Underprepared Adults: A
State Policy Guide for Community College Leaders

The Future of Middle-Skill Jobs

Joyce Foundation – www.joycefdn.org

The ILL-Prepared U.S. Workforce: Exploring the
Challenges of Employer-Provider Workforce Readiness
Training

Working Learners: Educating our Entire Workforce for
Success in the 21st Century

Council on Adult & Experiential Learning –
www.cael.org
More information

Jaime Simonsen
[email protected]

Gretchen Switalski
[email protected]
Questions