Using a Career Pathways Approach to Meet Colorado’s Workforce Needs

Using a Career Pathways Approach to Meet Colorado’s

Workforce Needs

Real Purpose• Vision: Colorado Career &

Technical Education (CTE) delivers proven pathways to lifelong career success!

• Mission: CTE ensures a thriving Colorado economy by providing relevant and rigorous education that is connected, responsive and real.

Sector Strategies Coming of Age: EDUCATION, WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I. Education Career Pathways

II. Workforce Development Sector Strategies

III. Economic Development Industry Clusters

Career Pathway System

Partnership Synergies Reverberate Back

Career PathwaysEngaging Education Partners

Career Pathways Systems DevelopmentIn April 2012, the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor,

and Health and Human Services issued a joint commitment to:

“promote the use of career pathways approaches as a promising strategy to help adults acquire marketable skills and industry recognized credentials through better alignment of education, training and employment, and human and social services among public agencies and with employers.”

SIX KEY ELEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENTOF CAREER PATHWAYS SYSTEMS

Career Pathways and Programs of Study - Unaligned

A COMPREHENSIVE CAREER PATHWAYS SYSTEMWITH THE INTEGRATION OF PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Identify Needs and Gaps Plan

◦Define Skill Sets◦Identify Entry & Exit Points◦Consider Incentives and Workplace Experiences

Implement – Promote Improve Expand Repeat

Career Pathways Approach

Workforce Training: The demands of Colorado businesses and communities shall be met through the development of a highly skilled workforce.

Industry Needs

Skills Defined by Industry

14

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Career Pathways Toolkit

Partners Roles in Developing Pathways

Workforce Agencies Provide labor market informationEngage employersRecruit and make referralsAssist with job search and placementProvide funding for trainingProvide skills assessments

Educational Institutions Design programsDevelop curriculaCreate links between credit and non-creditAssist with financial aidProvide support servicesAdult basic education

Human Service Agencies Provide support servicesRecruit and make referrals

Economic Development Provide labor market informationEngage employers

Employers Help to develop industry relevant curriculaProvide training facilities and equipmentProvide internships/job shadowingProvide employment

Roles of Partners