Fill the Gap: Turning learners into workers

Workforce Readiness: Turning Learners into Workers

Building a ThinkNation

Agenda

• Overview of the industry, the legislation, and trends

• What kind of skills drive workforce readiness?

• Examples of implementation

Thought Leaders

Kathryn Jo Mannes Business/Education Partnerships

Dr. Henry JohnsonFaculty Advisor/TeamUP, Cengage Learning

R. Scott DomowiczAcademic Dean - Schools of Business, Criminal Justice, Hospitality & Culinary ArtsPittsburgh Technical Institute

WHY Workforce Readiness?

• Trends• Legislation • Funding

Heard from the demand side:

• Give me someone who has a strong foundation and is interested in building on to that by continuing to learn and acquire more specific skills

• “Soft skills” are hard… critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving

All the “C” words…

Competency Career Pathways Credentials and Frameworks Credit for Prior Learning and ExperienceCohorts Cross-Campus CollaborationCustomers Community Colleges

Oh– and Cengage!

Critical vs. Creative Thinking

Active LearningHere are some activities usually associated with

active learning:Ice Breakers One Minute PaperThink/pair/share Write/pair/shareStudent Summaries Q and A PairsFocused Listening Two Column MethodScenarios Case StudiesReciprocal Questions RoundtableNumbered Heads Problem-based LearningTen-two Strategy Peer SurveyShared Brainstorm Jigsaw TeamworkNote Check Rotating Chair Discussion

Synectic Exercises

Divergent thinking

& Pittsburgh Technical Institute

Thank You! Any Questions?Contact:Dr. Henry Johnson [email protected]

Courtney Doyle Chambers [email protected]

Heather Kramer [email protected]