Innovations
Step 1 - Need-focused Planning and Analysis
- Define the problem
- Consult labor market information
- Determine local employer needs
- Assess current offerings/ conduct gap analysis
- Identify the target population
Step 2 - Progress- and Success-focused Program Design
- Use delivery systems and formats that make the learning accessible to the target population
- Innovation: Accelerated learning programs
- Innovation: Online programs
- Make the learning sequential, progressive, and competency-based
- Innovation: Bridge programs
- Innovation: Progressive career ladder programs
- Innovation: Apprenticeship programs
- Broaden the experience base
- Innovation: Provide internships
- Innovation: Provide transitional jobs
Step 3 - Adult-Centered Implementation
- Provide individual assessment of skills, interests, and learning outcomes
- Innovation: Prior Learning Assessment
- Innovation: Work readiness credential
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Provide advising and other academic support
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Innovation: The use of peers for support and learning
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Innovation: The use of mentors in learning and at work
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- Provide social support services
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Check in and follow up with the student
- Innovation: Retention/Post-placement support
- Find ways to ease the financial burden of training and learning
Adult-Centered Teaching-Learning Process
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Vary training techniques to appeal to different learning styles
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Innovation: Use of “Blended Learning”
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Overarching Components
- Strategic Partnerships
- Involve employers
- Innovation: Sector-based approaches
- Expand capacity and close system gaps by working with local partners
- Innovation: Addressing regional economic priorities
- Evaluation
- Set clear goals and outcomes
- Track basic participation and demographic
- Conduct a formative evaluation
- Conduct a summative evaluation