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Posts Tagged ‘Job training’

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House Bill Would Cut Community College Grants

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

The House is scheduled to consider a bill today that would reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program under “suspension of the rules,” which requires a 2/3 vote for passage. Without reauthorization, most TAA programs will expire February 12, 2011. The House bill would extend authorization for the TAA for Communities program and Sector Partnership Grants until June 30, 2011.

The primary purpose of the TAA program is to provide assistance to workers who lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade, but it also includes the Community College Career Training Grant Program (CCCTGP). The bill includes a $238 million cut to CCCTGP in FY 2014 as a budgetary offset. Therefore, if the bill becomes law, community colleges would receive only $262 million in FY 2014, rather than the $500 million currently allocated.

Even if the bill passes the House, it will still have to clear the Senate and be signed by the President, who pushed very hard for these community college grants to be funded. Be sure to call your Member of Congress today to make sure they know how vital community college programs are for retraining workers and getting our economy back on track!

By admin in Legislation
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New Book Links CTE to Economic Success, Suggests Old Stereotypes

Friday, February 4th, 2011

A recently released book highlights the importance of policies that prepare individuals for U.S. jobs by aligning education/training with economic demands. In fact, in a recent blog, a co-author of Where Are All the Good Jobs Going? What National and Local Job Quality and Dynamics Mean for U.S. Workers, points to high-quality CTE as a key strategy to be included in such policies.

However, Author Harry J. Holzer  does go on to say “high-quality career and technical education (through Career Academies and apprenticeships), and ‘sectoral strategies’ that combine post-secondary certifications with services for workers and direct outreach to employers, have been remarkably successful preparing less-educated workers for good jobs.”

While it is certainly true that CTE has played a key role in engaging disadvantaged youth who historically perform below the averages of their counterparts, Holzer’s comment could imply that CTE is designed for the less-educated. This statement should serve as a reminder that while CTE may be considered as an approach to solving the problems of tomorrow, we must continue to break the stereotypes of the past.

For the most part, Holzer underscores great opportunities for CTE to contribute to the needs of job training. He points out the necessity for policies that encourage “more education and training aligned with the needs of employers in sectors that routinely pay well – such as construction and manufacturing, wholesale trade, health care, even some parts of retail trade – where applicants’ skill levels often fall short of employer needs.” The next step is for individuals to see the full potential of CTE as a means to help anyone, of all education backgrounds, who wants to work and succeed.

By admin in News, Public Policy
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Secretary Duncan Hails CTE During National Roundtable Event

Monday, January 31st, 2011

On Thursday the Obama Administration hosted a series of roundtables on topics that were highlighted in the President’s State of the Union Address. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sat down to answer questions from the public about education issues. Among the issues that were raised were how to balance the reform agenda with state budget shortfalls, Obama’s plan for a new ESEA, how to foster critical thinking in a time of multiple choice tests, and college access and affordability.

At the 29 minute mark, a participant from Jersey City, NJ asked “Why have high schools abandoned vo-tech programs? Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, auto mechanics all make decent livings, yet our schools do not offer young people proper education in these fields. These are the kids who choose to dropout.”

Duncan admitted that the United States “probably did a better job in the career technical training 30, 40 years ago, and somehow we lost our way a bit there.” He went on to say that we need to invest in both the careers mentioned in the question, as well as new careers that are needed in this technologically advanced age.

He went on to say that the debate about college or careers is a false one; students need both to be successful. By giving students the choice of both college and careers as early as high school and middle school, we can help keep them engaged before they drop out, and help them to figure out the right path to reach their goals.

Secretary Duncan’s response was noteworthy because he used the term “career technical training” rather than “vocational education,” as he has in many of his previous speeches and statements. This shows the progress that Secretary has made over the last two years in educating himself about CTE and that he sees it as something beyond the vocational education programs of the past.

By admin in Public Policy
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State of the Union Focuses on Education, CTE Student Sits with First Lady

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

In his second State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama set a broad agenda for improving the economy and maintaining the United States’ status as a global super power. Calling this our “Sputnik moment,” the President urged Congress, private businesses and the American people to work together to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.

Recognizing that the world has changed and that a high degree is no longer sufficient to earn a family sustaining wage, Obama focused on the ways that education can help turn around the economy. First, he cautioned against “pour[ing] money into a system that’s not working” and highlighted the ways that his Race to the Top grants have reformed education through the adoption of new standards. He also stated that Race to the Top should be the foundation for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind this year. Among the other education priorities that he addressed were: raising the status of the teaching profession, increasing the number of STEM teachers, making postsecondary more accessible and affordable, and training individuals for new careers and new jobs.

He also stressed the importance of community colleges in meeting the demands of out fast-changing economy and singled out Kathy Proctor, a student at Forsyth Tech in North Carolina who is earning her degree in biotechnology at the age of 55 because the furniture factories in her town have disappeared.

However, despite the President’s call for greater investment in things like innovation, education and infrastructure, last night he proposed a five-year freeze on non-defense discretionary spending beginning this year. This comes after House Republicans have pledged to return appropriations levels to FY08 or FY06 levels. So while we don’t know what spending levels will look like after the CR expires in March, it seems certain that there not be any funding increases this year.

On a brighter note, Brandon Ford, a junior at the Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering at West Philadelphia High School was invited to be a guest in First Lady Michelle Obama’s box last night. Brandon was recognized for his participation in the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition, in which teams from across the globe compete to create production-ready, highly fuel efficient vehicles. Brandon and his team went up against corporations, universities and other well-funded organizations from around the world, advancing all the way to the elimination round.  Congratulations, Brandon!

By admin in News, Public Policy
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ACE Mentor Program Provides STEM-Related Experiences to Students

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

The ACE Mentor Program (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) is a mentorship program for students interested in careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, and provides students with early career exposure as well as scholarship opportunities. The program is a nationwide, bi-weekly after-school activity for high school students led mostly by volunteer teachers and industry professionals. Classes are regularly supplemented with guest speakers and site visits, providing students with real exposure to the field.

At a time when secondary to postsecondary transitions are in the spotlight, the ACE Mentor Program offers an impressive model of experiential learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related fields. A recent article, Mentor Program Introduces Students to STEM-Related Fields, examines the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Washington Inc., and describes the program and its impact on high school students across the D.C. metropolitan area. Program highlights included the students’ visits to construction sites, hearing about the experiences of a recent STEM graduate, and a discussion of building design.

According to teachers and ACE alumni, the program has been successful in recruiting students to pursue careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. A 2009 ACE Mentor Program survey of recent alumni (from 2002-2009) suggests that most alumni were influenced to pursue an ACE career path as a result of participating in the mentorship program. Additionally, there is evidence the program encouraged students to perform better academically. While the national high school graduation rate is about 73 percent, ninety-seven percent of ACE students graduated from high school. Additionally, while 68 percent of all U.S. high school students enroll in college, ninety-four percent of ACE students reportedly enrolled in college.

In the previously mentioned article, White House policy analyst Kumar Garg states, “Exposing students to different types of careers and how to get there has a powerful impact on their motivation in school and getting good grades, whether their interest is in science and technology, and what they do to get there.” The ACE Mentor Program is a powerful tool for students. Alumni bode well with a high graduation rate, high college enrollment, and student interest in the ACE field. ACE programs such as this may provide students with exposure and knowledge in areas they may not have previously considered, increasing interest in STEM fields and easing the secondary to postsecondary transition for students.

By admin in News
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News article: In a tough economy, new focus on job-oriented certificates

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Reports and articles continue to echo the same message: postsecondary credentials will play a critical role in securing a job. A recent article in The Bellingham Herald, a Washington state newspaper, highlighted a recent national reports and state statistics that reinforce the notion that credentials are no longer an option for individuals who cannot succeed in traditional four-year institutions.

The article features reports such as Projection of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018, Certificates Count: An Analysis of Sub-Baccalaureate Certificates, which both suggest that credentials will play a key role for individuals who seek employment.

Further, in Florida, a recent report based on the state’s employment data shows that “students who earn certificates or associate of science degrees can make more money in their first year out of college than four-year graduates of Florida’s university system,” the article said.

Willis Holcombe, chancellor of Florida’s fast-growing community college system was quoted saying that the unemployment numbers are “a powerful case for some postsecondary credential, not just going to classes, but completing a credential…If you want to insulate yourself against unemployment, you need a career.”

By admin in News, Research
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Community College and Career Training Grants Now Available

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Shortly after taking office in 2009, President Obama pledged that America would have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 and would increase the number of workers who attain degrees, certificates, and other industry-recognized credentials. An announcement from the Administration today should go a long way in helping to reach that goal. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that grant applications for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program are now available. The grants were authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 and funded at $2 billion over four years by the health care bill in 2010.

“These grants will help colleges create programs that make it possible for workers to come back to school and acquire skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to compete for good jobs in growing industries,” said Secretary Solis.

The grants are authorized at $500 million a year (FY 2011 to 2014) and will be available to community colleges or other two-year degree granting institutions of higher education as defined in the Higher Education Act. The goal of the grants is for schools to expand their capacity to provide education and career training to TAA for Workers program participants and other individuals to upgrade their knowledge and skills so that they can find family-sustaining employment. Each state will be guaranteed a minimum of 0.5% of the total funding, or $2.5 million per state per year.

The solicitation for grant applications can be accessed here. Applications must be received no later than 4 PM ET on April 21, 2011.

By admin in Public Policy
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Greenforce Initiative Helps Community Colleges to Advance Green Programs

Friday, January 14th, 2011

In the latest issue of ACTE’s Techniques Magazine, Gloria Mwase and Julian Keniry describe the Greenforce Initiative, a collaboration of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) to assist community colleges in providing effective green programs and producing a green workforce.  A 2009 study shows that jobs related to clean energy grew twice as fast as overall jobs between 1998 and 2007.  By implementing green programs, community colleges can help students acquire the skills needed to fill these emerging positions.  The Greenforce Initiative will supply additional resources, strategies, and best practices to select community colleges in six regions (or “Learning and Action Networks”): Northern Virginia, South Texas, Metro Chicago, Michigan, North Carolina, and Seattle.  The goals of the Greenforce Initiative are:

The authors stress the vital role of green CTE programs and graduates to aid in the nation’s economic recovery and develop alternative energy sources.  If all goes according to plan, the Greenforce Initiative’s Learning and Action Networks will become prototypes to be emulated and expanded upon by other green-minded institutions.

By admin in News
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Legislative Update: Veterans’ Training Bill, Appropriations, America COMPETES

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Veterans’ Training Bill Passed; Expands Eligibility to Area CTE Centers

Late last week the House passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 by a vote of 409-3, after it was cleared by unanimous consent in the Senate earlier in the week. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature. This bill will allow veterans to use their benefits at educational institutions that do not award associate or higher degrees, such as area career technical schools, career schools, and apprenticeship programs. This would be a change from the current Post-9/11 GI Bill, which does not allow participants to use funds at a non-degree granting institution. The new eligibility provisions will go into effect on October 1, 2011. This is a tremendous victory for CTE and a recognition of the high quality programs that our area CTE centers offer!

Congress Passes Short-Term Continuing Resolution

The House on Tuesday passed a continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 193 to 165 that would fund the government and all federal programs at FY10 levels through March 4. The Senate approved the bill earlier on Tuesday by a vote of 79-16. With the shift in power in the House, and the weakened Democratic hold over the Senate, there is sure to be a more partisan fight over spending as expiration of the CR draws near in March. Soon-to-be Speaker of the House John Boehner (Ohio) has already said that he wants to roll back federal spending to 2008 levels.

America COMPETES Act Passed by Congress

The House this week passed the America COMPETES Act by a vote of 228 to 130, after it was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate last week. The bill now heads to President Obama for his signature. The goal of the bill is to improve the competitiveness of the United States by investing in innovation through research and development. There are a variety of provisions in the bill that will impact STEM education, such as the coordination of federal STEM education efforts, grants to increase the number of STEM teachers, and other improvements in STEM education. Because Congress wanted to pass this bill before the current session of Congress ends, the House had little choice but to accept the Senate version of the bill which scales back funding from the original House bill and reauthorizes the bill for three years instead of five.

By admin in Legislation
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Resource Center in Chicago Area offers Manufacturing Training Through a Strategic Mix of Industrial Retention, Training, and Educational Initiatives

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

The Careers in Manufacturing Program, a career technical education program offered by The Jane Addams Resource Corporation, a non-profit community development organization, is enabling low-income working adults in the Chicago area achieve self-sufficiency by providing skills training and support services.  The 20-week training program is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The curriculum includes training in use of computer numerical control machine tools, safety, precision measurement, blueprint reading, and includes OSHA certification for safe forklift operation. Additional training includes computer use, work readiness including problem solving, and sound financial education to round out the broad scope of the program. According to the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Chicago is the largest manufacturing center in the United States. Many adults who have been downsized because of the economic downturn have been able to receive advanced training for viable manufacturing positions in the Chicago area. Manufacturing is one of the 16 Career Clusters, tools for seamless transition from education to career.

By admin in Career Clusters®
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