| Overview:
To replicate current Career Pathways pilot project at ten additional community colleges in Arkansas. Funds will be used to hire policy analyst to work with new college partners to conduct sector analyses; develop new curricula based on the needs identified in the sector analyses and work with GFF industry partners to develop the case management as a complement to the adult education.
Context:
Being in a region with low educational attainment – where 26%-44% of adults per county lack a high school diploma, 85% of those enrolled in community colleges require some form of basic remediation, and of those enrolled in these courses, only 20% complete a certificate or degree program, discourages the growth of skilled jobs and new economic opportunity . The Career Pathway Collaborative project is designed to counter these numbers by providing low-skilled workers with an opportunity to create career ladders within various sectors and develop innovative ways of teaching basic skills that are more relevant to adult learners.
Collaborative Structure & Strategy (less than 200 words):
For the last year, Southern Good Faith Fund (SGFF) has worked with Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) and the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges (AATYC) to develop six career pathways in business, education, EMT/paramedic, manufacturing, nursing/allied health, and welding. The ability to utilize and position educational institutions to be more responsive to meeting the needs of both the employer and workers is significant to the viability of this region. SGFF and state institutional partners have worked to ensure that the design and delivery of the curricula is implemented at one college site with some success, and now are pursuing policy changes and leveraging governmental resources to replicate the Career Pathways Project in other two-year colleges. Specifically, the Collaborative is in the process of developing a multi-year, $5 million or more per year proposal for TANF funds to initiate the replication at 8-10 college sites in the state, with an emphasis on sites being located in rural Delta colleges.
Projected Leverage and Impact (less than 200 words):
SGFF, with the support of Arkansas's two year college system locally and the National Governor's Association and Department of Labor nationally, is poised to expand this program across the state in the next year and perhaps in other Mid South Delta states in future years. This strategy anticipates impacting 1000 students per year. In addition, the collaborative plans to secure $8-10 million in surplus TANF funds from TEA Board to support the development of and replication of Career Pathways project at ten additional sites across the state.
Programs and Projects:
Career pathways initiatives represent an alternative higher education service delivery model, one geared toward meeting the unique needs of low-income, low-skilled adults. This pilot project later became a focus of a team of state policymakers from Arkansas who are participating in a National Governor's Association policy academy focusing on state policy change to improve access to and completion of higher education credentials among working adults.
Outcomes:
- Secure $8-10 million in surplus TANF funds from TEA Board to support the development of and replication of Career Pathways project at ten additional sites across the state.
- Provide support to additional sites where Career Pathways program will be replicated. This work includes conducting sector analyses to identify pathways based on local indices of occupation demand, skill requirements, and existing career ladders. Provide additional support related to curricula implementation and redesigning credit programs to expedite training and certification for participants
- Develop policy reports and advocate for policy changes to support Career Pathways including the expansion of financial aid and supportive services for program participants (transportation, child care, etc.)
Main Contact
Mike Leach
Policy Program Director
Southern Good Faith Fund |
Southern Good Faith Fund