Skill QUEST
Skill QUEST Mission:
Investing in People
• Provide comprehensive, long-term
training opportunities to economically
disadvantaged adults.
• Long term skill training results in large,
lasting returns in the labor market
compared to the modest impact of shorter
term training programs*
* Local Investments in Workforce Development: 2012 Evaluation Update, Ray
Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, Lyndon B Johnson School
of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
Skill QUEST Vision
• To create a vibrant community economy
through moving unemployed or underemployed persons to jobs that pay a
family wage and contribute to the
economy
• To define the skills required to succeed in
targeted, hard-to-fill occupations with
employers, then to recruit, train and
develop adults so that they are qualified
and ready for employment
EducationBarriers
1.Education level –
High school diploma ≠ passing the
college entrance exam
2. Cost –
An issue for low income families.
3. Childcare and Transportation –
Monthly costs for three children can be
upwards of $1,200.
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Accelerated College Prep - Intensive
program, offered in partnership with
community colleges.
Assistance with Tuition, Fees and Books
Childcare and Transportation
Guidance/VIP (Vision, Initiative,
Perseverance) -Case Manager meets with
participants regularly, to help them
navigate their progress toward graduation
and career.
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Goal - to move unemployed and underemployed
people out of poverty and into high-growth jobs
in emerging industries by developing a skilled
labor pool to meet employment needs
Current Programs include: Health Occupations,
Information Technology, Mechanical/Repair,
Logistics Management, Construction, Auto
Repair, Auto Body Repair
Placement – to assist in finding employment with
a good salary, benefits, and opportunity for
growth.
Capital Idea (Austin) and Project Quest (San
Antonio) in existence for almost twenty years:
• > 5,000 adults have enrolled in training
leading to careers paying family-level wages.
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The average wage placement is $16-$18 a
year.
vs Comparison Group: earned $759 more per
quarter, increased employment and eligibility
for unemployment benefits in the event of a
job loss*
* Local Investments in Workforce Development: 2012 Evaluation Update,
Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, Lyndon B
Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
Information Session
• Potential participants attend an information
session where they learn the requirements of the
program, education /training objectives, and the
support services given for tuition,
books/materials, emergency assistance , etc.
• Potential participants sign-up for testing
Testing
• Potential participants test for college level placement and career
aptitude
• Participants that do not test well are referred to other agencies for
additional support and are invited to test next semester after the
case manager goes over their testing scores and identifies areas of
weakness
• Those participants who test at college level or participants near
college-ready level and who are willing to take accelerated
remediation are then given appointments to speak with a case
manager one on one about entering the program and asked to
bring required documentation
Individual Assessment
• Potential participants are asked why they want to
participate in the program, they review their financial
situation in greater detail with case manager ,
participants are asked to research their area of study and
write an essay
• After all required documents are submitted and verified,
participants are invited to enter the program
• Participants attend community college for their education
and training
• Participants receive additional tutoring
• Participants may request counseling
• Participants must attend VIP sessions or meet with case
manager individually. Topics for the VIPs include: Time
Management, Stress Management, Family Crisis
Management, Nutrition , Navigating the Community
College System Successfully, Study Skills, Budget
Development, Financial Education, Financial Resource
Development, Resume Writing, Job Interview Skills, Job
Placement Strategies
• Participants participate in evaluating the program
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117 participants served since
September, 2010.
13 graduates, 4 more scheduled May,
2013 graduation.
8 employed in jobs paying $40,000 to
$60,000
2 continuing at 4 year universities
Forty-four students currently continue in
pursuit of an associate degree.
Our average cost per student is $5,500.
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Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas County Community College District
Collin College Community College District
Dallas Area Interfaith and Member Institutions
City Square
The Meadows Foundation
The Thomson Family Foundation
The Dallas Women’s Foundation
North Dallas Bank
Attitudes and Attire
YWCA
City of Dallas, DOORS, Metro Homeless Coalition
Participants
Tax Payers
Society
The same outstanding Return on
Investment for Economic Development?