Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Employment Outcomes Survey 2013

Tuesday, November 12, 2013Workforce Workgroup Presentation

E. KuoFH IR&P

Background: Why?

Purpose

Provide information on employment outcomes for students who have participated in career technical education (CTE) programs at California community colleges.

Research Questions

1) Do students become employed within their field of study?

2) Does community college coursework positively affected their earning potential?

3) Why do students drop out of CTE programs?

Survey Development

The RP Group partnered with the Bay Area Community College Consortium and practitioners from around the state to develop a universally available survey methodology.

The survey is based on completer and leaver surveys conducted at several colleges and was tested through a pilot study (2011-2012).

Methodology: How?

Methodology

Survey sent to students if they met one or more of the following criteria in 2010-2011:

• Did not enroll in 2011-2012• Earned a certificate of 6 or more units• Earned a vocational degree • Earned 9+ CTE units

Survey questions included: • Employment status (before and after)• Wages and benefits• Satisfaction with education/training

Methodology

Surveys were administered in early 2013:• Email• U.S. Mail

Our total sample = 1,838

Our college’s response rate =14% (261 students)

Completers = 393 (21%); Skills Builders = 1,445 (79%)

Statewide sample = 35 colleges or 47,436 students

Statewide response rate = 24% (email, U.S. mail, phone)

Findings: What?

Findings

CTE Programs included: • Accounting• Adaptive Fitness • Apprenticeship• Art/Art Studies• Biotechnology• Business• Child Development• Communications• Computer Information Studies• Database Networks• Dental Assisting• Dental Hygiene

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography• GID/Multimedia• Horticulture• Music/Music Technology• Paramedic• Pharmacy Technician• Photography• Primary Care Associate• Radio/TV/Film• Radiologic Technology• Respiratory Therapy• Special Education• Theatre• Veterinary Technology

Findings49% of respondents stated their primary reason for attending college was to earn a certificate or degree (with or without transfer)

1.6%

8.3%

10.6%

19.7%

29.5%

30.3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Other

Earn transfer units with or without getting a degree

Take classes for self-enrichment only

Earn a certificate/degree AND transfer

Earn a certificate/degree NOT transfer

Upgrade job skills or renew a license/permit

Primary Reason for Studying at Foothill College

FindingsRespondents were asked why they stopped taking classes at Foothill College:

• Met their goals (N = 105)• Completed the program (N = 100)• Got a job (N = 53)• Transferred to another school (N = 39)• Classes they needed were not available (N = 35)• Didn’t have enough time for classes (N = 34)

Respondents could mark multiple responses.

FindingsAmong those respondents who did not receive a degree or certificate (skills builders):

• Met their goals (N = 56)• Completed the program (N = 32)• Got a job (N = 27)• Didn’t have enough time for classes (N = 26)• Transferred to another school (N = 26)• Classes they needed were not available (N = 24)• Family or personal reasons (N = 16)

Respondents could mark multiple responses.

Findings

• 89% of respondents were “Satisfied” or “Very Satisfied” with the education and training they received at our college

• 24% indicated they transferred to a 4-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree

• 77% of respondents are employed for pay

Findings

Respondents reported their current employment status as:

Employed at one job, 54%

Employed at more than one

job, 13%

Uemployed, NOT seeking,

11%

Self-employed, 10%

Uemployed, AND seeking,

10%

Working not for pay, AND

seeking, 2%

Working not for pay, NOT

seeking, 2%

FindingsCurrently employed respondents reported how closely related their current job is to their field of study:

60% reported very close – My current job is in the same field as my coursework/training

21% reported close – I use what I learned in my coursework and training even though I am not working in the exact field

20% reported not close – My studies and training are not at all related to my current job

FindingsRespondents reported their work status before and after studies/training:

24%

20%

56%

14%

18%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Part time (less than 20 hours per week)

Part time (20 to 39 hours per week)

Full time (40+ hours per week)

After

Before

FindingsThe hourly wage of all respondents increased from $27.48 before to $34.28 after their studies:

$27.48

$34.28

$-

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

$25.00

$30.00

$35.00

$40.00

Before After

Hourly wage is calculated as an average.

FindingsThe hourly wage of completers and skill builders increased after their studies (skill builders > completers):

$21.41

$33.62 $31.02

$34.71

$0.00

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

$25.00

$30.00

$35.00

$40.00

Before After

Completers

Skill builders

Hourly wage is calculated as an average.

Findings Overview● Completing CTE studies and training – with or without a credential – has positive employment outcomes.

● The majority of respondents are employed, working in the same field as their studies, and working full-time.

● Respondents saw a 25% increase in their hourly wage after completing their studies.

● The majority were satisfied with the education and training they received at Foothill.

So What?● Build on data with continued participation● Relevance in program review● Relevance in SLOs● Other questions generated?● What is your takeaway?

Additional ResourcesCTE Outcomes Survey website: http://www.rpgroup.org/projects/CTE-Employment-Outcomes-Survey

CTE User Guide: http://www.rpgroup.org/resources/resources-using-results

Program level data available