Career Pathways Initiative Model
State and local teams working collaboratively to develop a career pathways system at the local level
must facilitate and coordinate Six Key Elements in order to implement a comprehensive career
pathways system. These elements often happen simultaneously, or are revisited as programs are
developed and your local, regional, and state systems evolve.
1. Build Cross-Agency Partnerships and Clarify Roles
a. State & local partners
b. Support from political leaders
2. Identify Sector or Industry & Engage Employers
a. Determine which employment sectors to target
b. Engage employers that represent those industries
3. Design Education & Training Programs
a. Provide a range of educational options
b. Accessibly, integrated, & lead to industry recognized or post-secondary credentials
4. Identify Funding Needs & Sources
a. Research funding sources: federal, state, local, foundation, businesses
b. Leverage funding across partnerships
5. Align Policies & Programs
a. Gain support from policy makers
b. Work with partners to identify needed changes
c. Measure systems change
Other Career Pathway Resources
Career Pathways Resources
NATIONAL
STATE
Adult Career Pathways Model
Providing a Second Chance in Public Education
Adult Ed Resource Page
Colorado Career Pathways
Career Clusters Website
Idaho Career Pathways
Women Employed Career Coach Curriculum
Maine Career Prep Curriculum
CLASP – Center for Law and Social Policy, Inc.
(Policy solutions that work for low-income people)
Michigan: Building Bridges for Career Pathways in
Michigan
Post-Secondary and Economic Success
Minnesota FastTRAC
Basic Skills & Workforce Training
Employment Strategies
Adult Career Pathways Training & Support Center
(ACP-SC)
Montana Big Sky Pathways
Career Pathways Initiative & Toolkit
North Dakota Career Pathways
Center for Occupational Research & Development
(CORD)
Contextual Teaching & Learning
Oregon Career Pathways Web Tool
National Career Pathways Network
Vermont: Exemplary Program for Career
Exploration
What Works Bridge Connect
Wyoming Career Pathways
Career Pathways Toolkit
1. Build Cross Agency Partnerships & Clarify Roles
Partnerships are at the heart of career pathways and are essential to making them successful. Key
cross agency partners at the local and state levels must be engaged, agree to a shared vision, and gain
support from political leaders. Along with employers, State and local partners include, but are not
limited to, workforce investment boards, community colleges, adult basic education providers,
human services, economic development and community-based organizations and workforce
intermediaries.
STATE
REGIONAL/LOCAL
Department of Labor & Industry
Montana Research & Analysis Bureau
State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB)
Montana Labor Market Information
Educational Opportunity Center (TRiO)
Billings
Butte
Great Falls
Havre
Helena
Kalispell
Missoula
Rocky Boy
Salish Kootenai
Montana Job Service – Workforce Services
Job Service Locations
Job Seekers & Employees
Montana Jobs System
Department of Public Health & Human Services
Vocational Rehabilitation
Human Resource Development Councils (HRDC)
Montana Colleges & Colleges of Technology (COT)
Campus Directories
State-Wide Articulation Agreements (START)
Montana High Schools
Big Sky Pathways (High School Model)
Big Sky Pathways by College
Montana ABE Sites
2. Identify Sector or Industry & Engage Employers
Career pathways systems are designed using real-time labor market information and active employer
involvement to ensure that training and education programs meet the skill competency needs of local
employers.
STATE
REGIONAL/LOCAL
Montana Research & Analysis Bureau
Local Area Information
Data Search Tools
Career Resource Network
Montana Career and Labor Market Information
Montana Labor Market Information
Montana Job Projections 2010 thru 2020
Montana’s Workforce Information Center
Albertson’s (May pay for employee’s GED)
Montana Stores
Wal-Mart
Montana Community Impact
Goodwill Industries
Montana Stores (Search for Zip Code)
Top Employers for State
Top Employers for County
Key Questions to Answer
3. Education & Training Programs
Career pathways provide a clear sequence of education courses and credentials that meet the skill
needs of high-demand industries. Key program design features include contextualized curricula,
integrated basic education and occupational training, career counseling, support services, assessments
and credit transfer agreements that ease entry and exit and promote credential attainment.
Categories by Skill Sequence
Websites
Career Planning
EOC Career Planning
Mapping Your Future
PEP Talk
Pep Talk Videos
Inventories & Assessments
EOC Interests & Abilities
MBTI Basics Explained
Keirsey Temperament Sorter II
Team Technology Free Personality Test
Free Personality Assessment Based on Works of Jung,
Myers, Briggs, and Keirsey
Montana Career Information System
MCIS Career Guide
MCIS Mini Tour
MCIS Resource Page
More Career Information
Career Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Soft Skills
EOC College Success Links
Soft Skills – US Dept of Labor
Time Management
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
In-Depth Life Skills – Pikes Peak Learning
Finance, House, and Lifestyle (LearnThat)
Goal Setting
Goal Setting Tips & Processes
Your Goal Setting
Montana Job Corps Education & Training
Time Management
Time Management for Students
EOC College Success Links
Study Skills
Study Guides & Strategies
How to Study
Basic Computer Skills
Office 2010 Training Videos
Free Computer Learning Online - GFC
Free Online Computer Skills (Need Library Card)
Ipad User Guide
St. Paul Basic Computer Skills
Software, Computer, & Certification Tutorials (LearnThat)
Free Keyboarding Resources
Keyboarding Lessons Online
Keyboarding Lessons Online (Must Register)
freetypinggame.net
http://www.powertyping.com/
http://www.nimblefingers.com/
http://www.goodtyping.com/
http://www.learn2type.com/
Online Interactive Courses
http://moodle.org/
http://education.skype.com/resources
http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/
www.DiscoveryEducation.com
www.4teachers.org
www.khanacademy.com
www.youtube.com/education
Marzio School Real English
Real English 2
GED Curriculum
OPI Curriculum & Assessment
Northwest Lincs Online Resources
Free GED Online Course
GED Quick Guide for the Classroom
New Hampshire Adult Ed Teacher Resources
Adult Literacy Instruction Course for Instructors
TABE Information
GED Test Prep & Practice
Official GED Testing Service Site
Official GED Handbook for Instructors
American Council on Education GED Testing Service
Official GED Test Taker Site
GED – 4Tests Practice Test Site
GED Practice (English and Spanish)
Free GED Prep – Billings Library
GED & Post-Secondary Test Prep
ACT Test Registration & Practice Tests
Free Test Prep @ Tutor.com
Scholastic Exam Prep
SAT Test Prep
COMPASS Information
Apprenticeship Programs
Montana Registered Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeship –US Dept of Labor
Apprenticeships for Women
Online Small Business Training
www.sba.gov
Free Online Courses
Free Online Classes & Continuing Education thru Billings
Parmly Library (Need Library Card)
Free Classes to Educate Yourself Online
Job Search
EOC Job Search Page
EOC Resume Links
Free Resume & Cover Letter Resources – Billings Library
Career OneStop ReEmployment/Unemployment
Billings Job Service
Montana Job Service Offices
Search for Jobs – Montana Job Service
Livingston Job Service - Tools
Job & Career Resources – Billings Library
O*NET Online
Financial Aid
EOC Financial Aid Links
Financial Aid/FAFSA
Budget Worksheet for College Students
College Scholarships.com
College Board Scholarship Search
CollegeNet Mach 25 Scholarship Database
FastAid Scholarship Search
FastWeb
National Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Administrators
College Affordability & Completion – Dept. of Education
Montana Student Assistance Foundation
Montana University System
Fee Waivers for Montana University System
Office of Student Financial Services
Tribal Funding Sources
Directory of Indian Education Program in Montana
American Indian College Fund
Community Education Training in Montana
Billings Community Education & Career Advancement
Bozeman Community Education
Butte Community Education Center
Havre Community Education
Helena Community Education
Missoula Lifelong Learning Center
College
EOC College Search
Official Guide to Montana Colleges
Two-Year College in Montana
Tribal Colleges in Montana
Montana College Directory
Know How 2 Go
Be Prepared for Your Future – Career OneStop
Post-Secondary Navigation – smartaboutcollege.org
4. Identify Funding Needs & Sources
Because career pathways approaches blend and align services from different government agencies to
support an individual’s successful completion, innovative funding strategies that blend funds from a
variety of public and private sources are essential.
NATIONAL & STATE
REGIONAL/LOCAL
CLASP - Funding
CLASP – Federal Policy Toolkit for States (pdf)
Grants.gov
How Federal Policy Can Support Bridge Programs
(Power Point on slideshare)
Key Questions to Answer
Career Pathways Toolkit
Using WIA Title I for Bridge Programs - Illinois
5. Align Policies & Programs
Career pathways programs require significant alignment among workforce, education, and human
services to ensure that an individual can move seamlessly from school to work and earn in-demand
credentials. States, localities and tribal entities will need to examine whether administrative or
legislative policy changes are necessary to help individuals participate in programs, enable blended
funding, or support the professional development of staff necessary to support career pathways
approaches.
STATE
Key Questions to Answer
Career Pathways Toolkit
REGIONAL/LOCAL
6. Measure System Change & Performance
Career pathways initiatives define desired system and program outcomes; establish how data will be
collected, stored, tracked and shared; and analyze data and assess progress made toward achieving
outcomes.
STATE
Career Pathways Definition & Framework
Career Pathways Toolkit
REGIONAL/LOCAL