Building a Skilled Workforce...Forsyth Tech Skilled Worker Model… It is a comprehensive workforce and social model focused on building skilled workers through a core approach based

Dr. Michael E. Harris

Dean, College and Career Readiness

Economic &Workforce Development

Forsyth Technical Community College

Building a Skilled Workforce...

Forsyth Tech Skilled Worker Model…

It is a comprehensive workforce and social model

focused on building skilled workers through a

core approach based on:

• Community Collaboration

• Case Management

• Tracking of Students Served

• Helping low skilled workers become

college & career ready

Objectives of Forsyth Tech Skilled Worker

Model…

To create a paradigm shift in Forsyth and

Stokes Counties:

• Citizens and businesses understand and

conduct best practices socially,

educationally and economically.

• Attract, sustain and build a workforce that

meets industry needs.

Specific Goals of Forsyth Tech Skilled Worker

Model…

• To match the right person to the right job

• To help with retention of potential high school

dropouts and assist with their transition.

• To work collaboratively with employers and

non-profit agencies for social and economic

prosperity

• To work towards building a skilled workforce

and a strong community

How a Community can Create a Skilled Worker…

• Agree on Core Components that identify a

Skilled Worker:

• Academics, Computer Skills, Soft Skills and

Technical Skills

• Centralize similar practices throughout the

community known as the Five A’s:

• Awareness, Assessment, Advising, Academics

and Achievement, Soft Skills Training and

Certification

Five A’S Tracking System…

Tracking of Success…

• The core of the program is based on a tracking system of

students’ academic progression, social and economical

factors which are maintained in a portfolio for each

student.

• The process provides support for the student’s career

path to insure student success in transitioning within

Forsyth Tech and the obtainment of the National Career

Readiness Certificate

• Funding of non-credit skilled and pathway courses that

further enhance students opportunity in the workplace or

lead to further in-depth studies for a career has

contributed to the success of the model.

Skilled Worker Model…

Skilled Worker Model…

Agency Connections…

• Each agency recognizes their role in the

community to avoid duplication of services and

to work together collectively as a community.

• Many agencies are connected through the local

Workforce Board which is the Piedmont Triad

Regional Council (PTRC).

• Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act

(WIOA)

Community Partners…

• Piedmont Triad Regional Council

• Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

• Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce

• Goodwill Industries

• Experiment in Self-Reliance

• City of Winston-Salem

• Forsyth County Detention Center

Populations Served…

• Unemployed and Underemployed

• Limited ability in the English language

• Mentally handicapped

• Correctional or other immured groups

• Low income adults

• Single parents

• Displaced workers

• Professionals in Transition

Changing Labor Market Demand

and Laws…

• Changing nature of the workforce

• Fastest growing jobs require HS+

• Concerns about skills gap

• Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act

• http://www.nawb.org/wioa_resources.asp

Efforts to Meet the Challenge…

• Career Pathways

• Industry-Based Training Programs

• Linking Social, Workforce and Economic

Development

Final Thoughts…

Closing Remarks…

Five A’s statement

• Awareness, Assessment, Advising, Academics

and Achievement plus Soft Skills Training

encompassing the Career Readiness Certificate

(CRC) with Piedmont Triad Regional Council

validation helps a person transition into the

work place and further training.

Dr. Michael E. Harris

Dean, College and Career Readiness

Economic &Workforce Development

Forsyth Technical Community College

Thank you…

Building a Skilled Workforce...