December 2016 Iowa Work-Based Learning Newsletter

Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation

Iowa DOE Message -

Iowa Work-Based Learning Newsletter

Kelli Diemer

Contact:  Kelli Diemer, Iowa Dept. of Education Work-Based Learning Consultant, kelli.diemer@iowa.gov  or 515-281-3615.


Quality work-based learning programs come from careful planning and development.  Go to the Iowa resource:  Planning and Developing Work-Based Learning Programs for more information.




In this issue...



Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Organization

Contact: Mindi Heitland, President, mheitland@waukeeschools.org or 515-987-5163 x2402 

 

Soon to be launched - Iowawbl.org - the new website for IWBL Organization


April 4 & 5    Fifth Annual Iowa Work-Based Learning Conference (Waukee)   This is Iowa's premiere conference on how to create and support collaborative work-based learning programs, and we want your help in planning it. A link to the pre-conference survey is below which will give you the opportunity to share your interests for topic sessions which will help our planning team customize the best conference for you.  IWBL Pre-conference survey link.  Questions?  Contact Michelle Hill, mhill@waukeeschools.org  or 515-987-5163 x2330.



Featured High School Work-Based Learning Programs


Waukee HS School-to-Work Program

Waukee HS

Contact: Mindi Heitland, School-to-Work Coordinator, Waukee Schools, mheitland@waukeeschools.org or 515-987-5163 x2402   or   Scott Carlson, School-to-Work Coordinator,  Waukee Schools, scarlson@waukeeschools.org or 515-987-5163 x2408


The School-to-Work program at Waukee High School allows seniors to explore potential careers through internships.  By enrolling in this program, students are encouraged to become well rounded. Students build relationships with community partners that would not be possible in the school building. The opportunity to learn in a real-world setting deepens understanding and maximizes the potential of the individual.


During their junior year, students are encouraged to apply to be part of the School-to-Work program.  An interview is held, and students are selected for the internship program beginning their senior year. Criteria for selection include an excellent attendance record, no history of discipline issues, good GPA, and strong teacher recommendations. In addition, the student will have chosen a career field he or she is interested in pursuing. 


In the fall, selected School-to-Work internships students take a Career Development course focusing on resume writing, interviewing skills, office etiquette, etc. Starting Term 2, the interns will begin their internships with local businesses and organizations working approximately two blocks per school day (approximately 10-15 hours/week) for the remainder of the school year.  In addition, students receive college credits for completing the internship and coursework.


The School-to-Work program benefits students enrolled in the program as they begin to decide what the right career is for them.  They are able to network with experts in the career field they are interested in pursuing, and can apply the knowledge they are learning in the classroom.  Students gain confidence in their skills and are learning how to be a better employee. Internships are not work release for seniors but an opportunity to gain work experience through a college-level internship. Many students are hired part-time or full-time after finishing their internships and some even return for summers and breaks while in college. 


The School-to-Work program at Waukee High School is an excellent opportunity for high school seniors to test the waters of potential careers and to gain valuable real life work experience they might never get in the classroom.  These internships help the students learn a variety of workplace employability skills and gain confidence in their work.  Waukee students have completed internships in career fields such as nursing, accounting, event management, culinary arts, engineering, and business. 


Establishing Business Partners

Contact Tyler Rodgers, IWBL Treasurer, Mt. Pleasant Community School District, tyler.rodgers@mtpcsd.org, 319-385-7700


Finding and maintaining working relationships with businesses is one of the first keys to developing a quality MOC experience for students.  This past summer I took an online class through UNI to complete the requirements for a Work Experience Endorsement.  Richard Luecking’s The Way to Work, How to Facilitate Work Experiences for Youth in Transition, laid out a plan for finding and keeping employers.  While the book focused on Students with special needs, the strategies are universal.

 

Luecking outlines three factors that businesses consider before agreeing to work with youth.  School personnel who are professional and responsive interacting with employers, matching the skills of students with the tasks of the job, and support in training and monitoring.  In order to meet the needs of the business leaders MOC leaders should focus on using business language, maintaining a single point of contact that is professional and responsive, underpromise and overdeliver, and know the abilities of students and the needs of employers.  

 

Of all the things a MOC Coordinator can do to help grow a program, networking may be the most important.  Networking is the best way to get leads and following the above strategies can help those leads grow into working relationships.  It is important to consider our own contacts, friends, family, colleagues, students, and parent’s contacts as well.  Joining local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce is another great networking tool.  

 

Luecking also discussed the “elevator speech” as a form of networking.  Having a prepared response to share with others when they ask, “What do you do?” is invaluable.  The short speech should be about the length of time that an elevator ride would last, and outline the purpose and goals of your program.  If a person is asking, it is a good time to take advantage of having their attention.



Statewide Intermediary Network News


What is the Statewide Intermediary Network?

The Intermediary Network prepares students for the workforce by connecting business and education by offering relevant, work-based learning activities to students and teachers.  The Statewide Intermediary Network is comprised of fifteen regional work-based learning Intermediary networks that are defined as community college regions.  The Intermediary regional contacts do not take the place of an educator, their role is to be a resource for setting up tours, arranging speakers, organizing job shadows, etc.   To find your regional Intermediary contact, click here.

Intermediary Map

Busy Fall For Cedar Valley Career Connections

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Grundy Center

Contact:  Cedar Valley Career Connections Program Coordinators, Kelly Kobliska kelly.kobliska@hawkeyecollege.edu 319-296-2320 x1024, Erin Swancutt erin.swancutt@hawkeyecollege.edu 319-296-2320 x2022, and Stacy Ascher cvwascoordinator@gmail.com 319-239-2864



Cedar Valley Career Connections has had a busy fall. We have had two successful career pathway weeks including Manufacturing Week and STEM Week.  Manufacturing Week took place from Oct. 3-7.  We had 10 area schools visit 18 manufacturing sites across the region with over 500 students participating.  STEM Week took place from Nov. 7-11.  We had 2 schools tour 2 area STEM employers.  We also assisted the Northeast Iowa Regional STEM Hub with their Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Nov. 10 where over 2700 people came out to learn more about STEM.


We have also been busy placing students in job shadows across all career pathways.  We currently have placed 174 job shadows this fall and have another 58 we will place before the end of December. 

 


Pottawattamie County Career Forum

Contact:  Natalie Harris, Intermediary Coordinator, IWCC, nharris@iwcc.edu, 712.325.3734

 

On October 11, 2016, IWCC’s Southwest Iowa Workplace Connection, Council Bluffs Community School District and the Pottawattamie County Workforce Alignment Project hosted a Career Forum for Pottawattamie County 8th grade students and their parents.  

 

The goal of the event was to educate and inform students and parents about various career pathways, and build connections between high school course selection and post-secondary options.  The evening event kicked off with a keynote address by Adam Haeder, Hardware Operations Manager at the Google Data Center in Council Bluffs.  Following the keynote, students and parents had the opportunity to attend three career breakout sessions, choosing from a selection of 16 career clusters.  Breakout sessions were led by professionals from 24 area employers.  Speakers shared information and expertise on their career pathway, educational requirements and soft skills necessary for employment.  

 

Event attendees included students from Council Bluffs School District, Heartland Christian School, Lewis Central Community School District, Treynor Community School District and Underwood Community School District. Over 80 students and parents participated in the career event.    

 

The 8th Grade Career Forum is a key part of helping students and parents prepare for post-secondary success by increasing awareness about career opportunities.   “As a result of participating in community-wide events like the 8th Grade Career Forum, our students are more prepared than ever,” said Dr. Jason Plourde, Director of Secondary Education at Council Bluffs Community School District.  “Our staff, our students, and our families look forward to continued partnerships as we move towards building a "future ready" culture in CB Schools."

 


Apprenticeship Worksite Tour Highlights Earn and Learn Model

Gilbert Apprenticeship 1

Contact:  Ann Schlapia, Southwestern’s Workplace Learning Network Coordinator, schlapia@swcciowa.edu or 641.782.1573

 

National Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week was November 14 – 20, 2016.  In a collaborative effort to expose Region 14 high school students to registered apprenticeship programs, Southwestern’s Workplace Learning Network, IowaWORKS Southern Hills and Decatur County Economic Development hosted a worksite tour on November 15 at Gilbert Home Comfort in Leon.  

 

Forty-one students from Central Decatur, Clarke, Lamoni, Mount Ayr and Murray School Districts, along with guidance counselors, teachers, administrators and parents, participated.  Steve Gilbert shared with attendees that he started nationally registered apprenticeship programs in HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical to help fill the skilled workforce gap for Gilbert Home Comfort.  Current apprentices shared their personal stories with the group, as to how an apprenticeship program has provided them with hands-on educational experience, a chance to earn while learning and the value of not having college debt.  Attendees were given a tour of the facilities, as well as, an opportunity to meet employees from each division of the company. 

Gilbert Apprenticeship 2


Growing registered apprenticeships is an important strategy to ensure that 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce have education or training post high school by the year 2025, as outlined in Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynold’s Future Ready Iowa Initiative.  Also, in May, new state legislation was signed into law to redesign Iowa’s secondary career and technical education (CTE) to ensure students gain the knowledge and skills to succeed in both college and careers.  Part of the new redesign process involves stronger career planning, which includes apprenticeship opportunities.