Skills Work Group Meeting
February 25, 2009
Attending: Adreinne Vanderberg, Jeff Davis, Janet Ryan, Blake Konzcal, Kurt Madden, Tracewell Hanrahan, Manjt Atwal, Dave Counts, Pam Lassetter, Joel Rabin, Emerson Estrada
Pam Lassetter, Fresno County WIB, presented on WorkKeys and the region-wide Work Ready Certificate. Employers need a pre-screened and qualified workforce. Many times, they are willing to provide the technical training necessary but need better assurances that job applicants have the ability to learn the job. Pam shared that PGE requires gives priority to candidates with Work Ready Certificate for some of their positions.
She also shared details about the regional employment study. The Central California Workforce Collaborative (CCWC) completed region-wide employment study and gap analysis. 2,700 San Joaquin Valley employers across five targeted industry clusters were surveyed. The results present a major opportunity to share reliable San Joaquin Valley labor market information. Businesses, education and training providers and government leaders can ensure that more informed decisions are made about staffing strategies, educational programs and curricula, workforce policy, and career choices. The employment study information is available on careersinthevalley.com
She also demonstrated Careers in the Valley.com. Caeersinthevalley.com allows universal access to local and regional employment studies, career guidance information, training programs, and job opportunities; thus, all information needed to facilitate employment for both employers and job seekers is simplified and integrated. This website links all current employment and training information into a fully integrated and easily accessible employment and training system.
The group was impressed with the work of the Fresno WIB, Central California Workforce Collaborative and California Partnership for the SJV.
Pam Lassetter also shared Sonoma County’s work ready skills. Pam will prepare a document that shows a side-by-side comparison of work ready skills from Sonoma County, Fresno WIB and the Commission’s Skills Work Group.
Tracewell provided an overview of the Career Resource Facilitators (CRF). There is one on each of the campuses. CRF’s typically support guidance counselors along areas of careers and support library career fairs. The support varies from school to school.
There was consensus around the idea that career counselors should have “local certification” which prepares counselors with local labor market information and trends.
Blake talked about WIA University for their Business Account Specialist. This is an example of a local certification.
Blake shared three main questions the work group should answer:
What is a career ready graduate?
What is a career resource facilitator?
What is a career center?
The group discussed providing career assessments to students; there was agreement that career assessments serve as tools for students in making more educated career choices.
There was concern about career assessments and the possibility of profiling kids.
Leveraging of resources and capabilities with workforce partnerships should be explored further.
Possible Recommendations:
All career counselors should have training in local high-demand, high-wage data.
All kids should have access to career counselors.
All career counselors should have “local” certification
Every student should have the opportunity to be evaluated on work keys.
Adoption of five work ready skills
All students should be able to obtain a work-ready certificate
Sociology for life course should encompass a local economy course.
Future Meeting Topics:
Counseling at FUSD
Career Cruising
Next Meeting: March 3, 2009 from 2:30pm-5:30pm at McLane High School.