STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – TOPIC SUMMARY
Topic: Career Pathways - Incentive Funds
Date: February 16, 2006
Staff/Office: Candace Norwood, CCWD
Action Requested:
Information only
Policy Discussion
Policy Discussion
Signal Field
Policy Adoption
Stakeholder Input
Policy Adoption/Consent Calendar
Bd. Leanings Identified
Stakeholder Input
Policy Decision
Priority:
Access
Accountability
Governance
Success for All Students
System Integration
ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD: Update and information about Incentive Grant projects administered by
CCWD staff.
BACKGROUND: For each of the past two years, Oregon has qualified for incentive grant funds because
federal performance measures were met or exceeded in each of three areas: Carl Perkins, Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) Title II and WIA Title IB. In 2004 (referred to as Year One), Oregon received incentive
funds in the amount of $750,000 and in 2005 the state was awarded $874,471. The awards required that
investments be made in continued performance improvement.
YEAR ONE INCENTIVE GRANT PROJECTS: Oregon’s 15 workforce regions had an opportunity to apply for
a portion of these funds. Each region was awarded $10,000 for a gap-fill or best practices project under
proposal 1 of the project, although one region (Region 2) opted to move their share of these funds to their
Proposal 2 projects. Each of the workforce regions also had an opportunity to apply for competitive funds
(Proposal 2) ranging from $8,000-$50,000 to develop or improve a Career Pathways project. Some of the
regions were awarded the full amount requested and others were offered a lesser amount for their proposed
project. Two regions (regions 12 and 13) did not apply for these funds. Year One projects for local regions are
either complete or nearly complete and the funding is set to terminate for CCWD on June 30, 2006. The
following Pathways projects were undertaken with Year One funds:
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Region 1 (Clatsop and Tillamook community colleges): This region developed “Virtual Solutions,”
which involved the development of Web sites, provided student training and ultimately resulted in
employer maintenance of the Web sites.
Region 2 (Portland CC): This college created a cohort program for contextualized developmental
education curriculum, involving intense instruction, technology supplementation and wrap-around
services for 20 low-skilled students.
Region 2 (Mt. Hood CC): This college developed a bridge program, which involved expansion of
"Exploration of Allied Health Professions" and "English for Health Professions" classes to
expand/enhance curriculum of new courses, which were targeted at non-English speaking and GED
students.
Region 3 (Chemeketa CC): This region created a shift in the education and workforce system to a
Pathways strategy through staff training and also offered youth career camps.
Region 4 (Linn-Benton and Oregon Coast community colleges): This region implemented a health
career academy and developed a CNA2 Acute Care curriculum, road map and marketing and
distribution strategies.
Region 5 (Lane CC): This region developed a Regional Technical Education Consortium (R-TEC) to
expand advanced technology career centers, distance learning and public-private educational
partnerships. The region also developed a summer academy in manufacturing technology.
Region 6 (Umpqua CC): This region revamped their virtual one-stop, identified healthcare demand
occupations and is establishing healthcare pathways.
Region 7 (Southwestern Oregon CC): This region created and piloted career pathways in Computer
Technical Support and Software Support. They also provided intensive vocational and wrap-around
support services to approximately 25 adult transitional students.
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Region 8 (Rogue CC): This region is creating a career pathway in business technology to assist
students in basic skills through certificate and degree completion, beginning with non-native English
speakers. A job counselor was available on an additional campus for six hours per week to provide
assistance on completing resume writing, application preparation and interviewing skills development.
Region 9 (Columbia Gorge CC): This region worked to increase awareness of health occupation
opportunities; to increase participation of minorities, underserved people and high school students; to
develop a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 2 curriculum; to increase access to health occupation
learning tools; and to promote distance learning.
Region 10 (Central Oregon CC)1: This region developed a career pathway in automotive technology
in Jefferson County, targeting new speakers of English. Computer study room hours were also
increased in order to address ABE gaps.
Region 11 (Klamath CC): This region developed a high school-to-journeyman carpenter pilot program
and providing workforce ethics training.
Regions 12 and 13 (Blue Mt. CC): These regions equipped their one-stops with distance learning
capability.
Region 14 (Treasure Valley CC): This region developed career pathways that link high school
offerings, community college programs and certificate programs. They are developing a Pathways Web
site, materials, and curriculum, conducted a Pro-Tech Day and worked to stabilize dual enrollment and
community college offerings.
Region 15 (Clackamas CC): This region created a CNA program designed for non-traditional
populations as an entry point on a healthcare career pathway.
Year One funds also provided for CCWD staff support of the governor’s Pathways to Advancement initiative
and for the development of a Pathways Web site: www.worksourceoregon.org/pathways. Attached is an
example of material developed with Year One funds.
YEAR TWO INCENTIVE GRANT PROJECTS: Oregon’s 15 workforce regions had an opportunity to apply for
a portion of these funds, which were committed to Pathways to Advancement efforts. Some of the regions
were awarded the full amount requested, $75,000, and others were offered a lesser amount for their proposed
project, with the lowest funded region awarded $37,500. One region did not receive funding for their proposal
and one region did not apply for these funds. An increased focus was placed on the need to share resources,
build on existing efforts (within the region or elsewhere), to ensure replicability and to plan for the work
undertaken to be sustainable at the completion of the projects.
Year Two projects are underway and will continue until January 31, 2007. Funding is set to terminate for
CCWD on June 30, 2007. The following Pathways projects were undertaken with Year Two funds:
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Region 1 (Clatsop, Tillamook community colleges): This region will work with 20 English Language
Learners (ELL) students and will develop pathways in business; health; and hospitality, travel and
tourism.
Region 2 (Portland CC): This college will work a Developmental Education (DE) cohort to develop
management and supervisory development workshops.
Region 2 (Mt. Hood CC): This college will continue to refine and develop allied health courses for nonnative English speakers.
Region 3 (Chemeketa CC): This region will create a Blueprint for a Pathway and continue the college
redesign with a focus on Professional Technical programs.
Region 4 (Linn-Benton and Oregon Coast community colleges): This region will conduct an
inventory of connectable curriculums between high schools and the community colleges. They will also
generate an alignment matrix and pilot the results.
Corrected March 15, 2006; originally submitted version was “Oregon Coast CC.”
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Region 5 (Lane CC): This region continued the work of the RTEC to align efforts around manufacturing
by developing roadmaps, aligning curriculum, establishing minimum competencies and prerequisites for
technology courses and to expand Lane ESD’s Web site on manufacturing pathways.
Region 6 (Umpqua CC): This region will develop and implement an Introduction to the Trades class.
Region 7 (Southwestern Oregon CC): This region will develop and implement a pathways
awareness, marketing and recruitment plan and will continue to coordinate regional efforts.
Region 8 (Rogue CC): This region will complete pathways in retail and office and accounting;
coordinate healthcare pathways coursework; and develop a landscaping pathway by filling curriculum
gaps, modularizing courses and using distributed learning.
Region 9 (Columbia Gorge CC): This region will develop retail/business and pre-engineering
pathways, continue health occupational pathway work, assess secondary students, conduct a summer
institute for faculty members and will produce a recruitment DVD and informational materials.
Region 10 (Oregon Coast CC): This region will restructure their health information technology
program to reflect a comprehensive pathway.
Region 11 (Klamath CC): This region will continue their high school-to-journeyman carpenter program.
Region 14 (Treasure Valley CC): This region will continue dual enrollment development with a focus
on alignment between secondary schools and the community college.
Region 15 (Clackamas CC): This region will conduct assessments for high school seniors. They will
also work to improve linkages between the one-stop and Clackamas CC for more comprehensive basic
skills assessments, pathway planning and job search assistance.
Year Two funds will continue to provide CCWD staff support for the governor’s Pathways to Advancement
initiative and for the further development of a Pathways Web site: www.worksourceoregon.org/pathways.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1.
2.
Do board members have any questions about the incentive grant projects?
Would board members like additional follow-up reporting?
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Central Oregon Community College
Automotive Technology
Career Pathway
Salaries based on national estimates
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Higher Education
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Associate of Arts/Science (2-year)
Small Business Development
Automotive Electrical Technician
(advanced)
Auto Electric I
Auto Electric II
Auto Electric III
Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Technician
Auto Electric I
Computerized Engine Controls
Automotive Air Conditioning
Company Executive
Manager
Forman/Supervisor
Business Owner
$0 - $200,000
Work Experience
Technician
$13.00 - $28.00/hour
Automotive Engine Performance Technician
Auto Electric I
Auto Electric II
Computerized English Controls
Engine Performance I
Engine Performance II
Diesel Performance I
Auto Electrical Technician (basic)
Auto Electric I
Automotive Drive Train Technician
Manual Drive Trains I
Automatic Transmissions I
Automotive Engines Technician
Automotive Engines
Diesel Performance I
Work Experience
Entry-Level Technician
$8.00 - $12.00/hour
Undercar Technician
Steer and Suspension
Automotive Brakes
Adult Education
Work Experience
Intensive GED Prep
AND Secondary
Skills Improvement
Developmental
Studies: Math,
Reading,
Writing
AND/OR
Basic Skills
Improvement
English
Language
Learning
Public School
High School
Career
Education
Middle School
Career
Exploration
Self-paced Automotive Core
Automotive Program Orientation
Mechanical System I
Basic Electricity for Automotive
Small Gas Engines
Intensive
Work
Readiness +
Follow-up
Workplace
Basic Skills
(VESL / VABE)
Semi-Skilled Jobs
Slightly more than
minimum wage
Work Experience
Unskilled Laborer Jobs
minimum wage
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