15
1 Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs Assessment and Plan 2019 [DESIGNED COVER]

Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    2

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

1

Gainesville City Schools

Workforce Development Needs Assessment and Plan

2019

[DESIGNED COVER]

Page 2: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

2

Gainesville City Schools

Workforce Development Needs Assessment and Plan

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Steering Committee ................................................................................................................................... 4

Key Themes ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Environmental Scan ................................................................................................................................... 6

Turning Mission into Student Success ................................................................................................... 8

Priorities and Strategies ............................................................................................................................ 8

Appendix: Needs Assessment ................................................................................................................ 11

Project facilitation, data analysis, documentation, and strategic guidance were provided by

the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia: Rebecca McIver, Greg

Wilson, and Sid Johnson. Editing and graphic design assistance were provided by Karen

DeVivo and Jake Brower.

Page 3: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

3

Introduction

Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting

student success, strengthening the local economy, supporting economic development efforts,

and filling in-demand jobs. Because of these factors and many others, Gainesville City Schools

launched a Workforce Development Needs Assessment and Planning process in fall 2019. The

effort began with the dual goals of ensuring that students are prepared for workforce success

after graduation and closing talent gaps for in-demand industries in the local economy. To

accomplish these goals, Gainesville City Schools convened a steering committee composed of

local business representatives, postsecondary partners, school staff and administration, and

other community members.

The steering committee was charged with analyzing data, engaging with key stakeholders,

assessing needs, exploring strategies, and ultimately developing a plan to prepare students for

career success after graduation. This needs assessment and plan report documents the process,

data, and themes that support the workforce development priorities and strategies

recommended for implementation by Gainesville City Schools.

PROCESS

An inclusive steering committee of local business representatives, postsecondary partners,

school staff and administration, and other community members was assembled to develop a

workforce development plan for Gainesville City Schools over the next five years.

The first meeting was an opportunity to kick off the process and share relevant data with all of

the stakeholders. During this meeting, the steering committee heard about Career, Technical,

and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways and academics at Gainesville City Schools and

about relevant workforce data for the region.

During the second meeting, the committee conducted an environmental scan. This included a

teacher panel and a local employer panel as well as some time for the group to process all of the

information so far. The steering committee used a SOAR analysis to identify some of the top

strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and risks for workforce development.

During the third meeting, the steering committee used the information presented at the first

two meetings to craft a vision for student success, decide on two major priority areas, and

develop several short- and long-term strategies for priority. The fourth meeting will be used to

Kickoff and Orientation

Environmental Scan

Strategic Plan Development

Meeting

Launch Meeting

Page 4: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

4

launch the plan with the steering committee and others community stakeholders who have an

interest in and have played a role in making this plan a reality for Gainesville City Schools.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Leaders from business, education, and government assembled to spearhead this effort to

understand the community’s workforce development needs, assess current workforce

development efforts, and develop recommendations to prepare Gainesville City School

graduates for career success.

Steering Committee Participants

Education and Government Sarah Bell, Gainesville City Schools

Barbara Brooks, Gainesville City Council

Priscilla Collins, Gainesville City Schools

Steven Cornett, Gainesville City Schools

Betsy Escamilla, Gainesville City Schools

Misty Freeman, Gainesville City Schools

Jamie Green, Gainesville City Schools

Rusty Ligon, City of Gainesville

Tim McDonald, Lanier Technical College

Willie Mitchell, School Board

Adrian Niles, Gainesville City Schools

Richard Oates, University of North Georgia

Helen Perry, Gainesville City Schools

Wendy Savitz, Gainesville City Schools

Dee Siphambili, Gainesville City Schools

Natalie Smith, Gainesville City Schools

Jeremy Williams, Gainesville City Schools

Business and Community

Suzanne Altman, Georgia Poultry Federation

Glennis Barnes, Georgia Power

Shelley Davis, Greater Hall Chamber of

Commerce

Norma Hernandez, Northeast Georgia Latino

Chamber of Commerce

Rose Johnson, Newtown Florist Club

Brandon Loftus, ZF Industries

Jim Marinelli, Northeast Georgia Medical

Center

Steve Mickens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier

Tate O'Rourke, Jackson EMC

Rope Roberts, Georgia Power

Alan Schuetze, Carroll Daniel Construction

Andy Stewart, Peach State Bank & Trust

Greg Vitek, Workforce Development Task

Force

Key Themes

The steering committee began the planning process by listening to students, teachers, and

employers. Additionally, the committee analyzed economic and labor market data about

Gainesville and Hall County. Appendix A details several key pieces of labor market

information that supported the needs assessment and plan development process.

Page 5: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

5

Throughout the steering committee meetings, the following key themes emerged:

Educational Opportunities. Throughout this process, the group heard about the

numerous existing opportunities for students in schools, including work-based learning,

job-ready skills, and middle school pathway exposure as well as opportunities for

additional postsecondary education in the community after graduation. The data show

that 52% of Gainesville High School Class of 2012 students enrolled in postsecondary

but that five years later only 27% had earned a credential. The district needs to educate

and market to the business community, parents, influencers, and mentors about the

variety of opportunities in both secondary and postsecondary education.

Equity and Access. It is important that the district be intentional about how it serves all

students regardless of where they are now or where they are going in the future.

Gainesville City Schools’ student population is diverse, with 60% identifying as

Hispanic. Additionally, the most recent published Free and Reduced Lunch percentage

for the district is 70.99%.

In-Demand Careers. The fastest growing sectors in Hall County are manufacturing and

health care/ social assistance. Between 2009 and 2018, these industries added 5,164 and

3,842 jobs, respectively. Both fields have a wide variety of occupations that students may

not be aware of. Gainesville schools must emphasize exposing students earlier to

opportunities in the community.

Skills Gap. A skills gap exists for students who are entering the workforce. Employers

from a variety of sectors including health care, manufacturing, and construction noted

that many entry-level workers lack professionalism, relationships, and soft skills. These

employers also shared that they are willing to train students on technical skills for the

specific trade if they possess the necessary soft skills to make them good employees.

Page 6: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

6

Environmental Scan

To reflect upon the findings from the needs assessment and to prepare for priority planning,

steering committee members conducted an environmental scan. This exercise challenged

members to identify specific strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and risks (SOAR) of and to

workforce development at Gainesville City Schools. Through this SOAR analysis, the committee

members gained a more thorough understanding of how the Gainesville City School System

(GCSS) prepares students for career success. Below are the results of the environmental scan.

STRENGTHS

Community partnerships/support

Small district means more opportunities for

innovation and responsiveness

Diverse opportunities (courses, clubs, events,

programs)

Population is global

Teachers committed to more than just teaching

the subject

Passion of teachers

Support from GCSS for emphasis on workforce

development – preparing students for life after

high school

Gainesville Middle School career discovery

9-week class

OPPORTUNITIES

Economic growth

Streamline resources

Use data to drive offerings and decisions

Educate mentors/influencers on workforce

development

Communication with parents, community, and

employers

Changing mindsets of parents

Harnessing our emergent bilingual population

Using YouScience to match students’ aptitudes to

industry needs

ASPIRATIONS

Work-based learning/dual-enrollment/job

experience: all students do one of these

Students use experience/data/ personal skills to

make informed decision on next steps

Get to know students so we can direct them to

achieve their goals

All students are advised and engaged along the

way and have options

Stay ahead of work/industry changes

All kids are valuable, productive citizens

“Guarantee” of Graduates

RISKS/BARRIERS

Perception — failure to look to the future

Fragile relationship between schools and industry

Students, parents, and employers assume they

have all relevant information

Students are not reading on grade level

Lack of flexibility in changing minds

Parents who do not understand the importance of

school

Abundance of options creating competition or

students doing nothing because of too many

choices

Feeling we are better than

Still working in isolation on overlapping goals

Every student needs point of contact for support

Stereotypes

Page 7: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

7

Vision

The steering committee members were asked to think about their vision for Gainesville High

School students as they graduate and move on to postsecondary education or the workforce.

Small groups were given a graduate to design. Below are the images that the groups developed.

Page 8: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

8

Turning Mission into Student Success

As ONE GAINESVILLE, we will inspire, nurture, challenge, and prepare our students as we

educate them to be successful in a 21st century global society.

Adults must… So students…

Inspire

feel supported, have guidance, and understand self-management

Nurture

understand their passion and are engaged in whatever follows high

school

Challenge

have real-life experience (work, volunteer, etc.) to draw from

Prepare

possess the skills and knowledge they need to pursue their realistic

pathway to the future

Page 9: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

9

Priorities and Strategies

In the final stage of the process, committee members identified two priorities that will guide

Gainesville City Schools over the next three to five years. To accomplish each priority, the

steering committee identified short-term strategies (3–6 months) and long-term strategies (1–3

years) for implementation.

Gainesville City students in K-12 and postsecondary education make up the community’s

future workforce. The steering committee supports the creation of seamless career roadmaps.

Specifically, a student should be able to identify career interests or goals, start working toward

those goals in high school, continue training and development at local postsecondary

institutions, and successfully transition to the workforce. Pathways for students should be

aligned to their interests and the needs of the community. Career roadmaps for Gainesville City

Schools should include a wide variety of opportunities with multiple entry and exit points.

SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES

Assess the current status of pathways, partnerships, and the job market. This assessment

should include gathering data on current entry-level job opportunities and skills gaps,

determining top local industries/ pathways for partnerships, and identifying current

partnerships and alignment at each level.

Establish a cross-functional team to define comprehensive and customizable career

maps. The team should begin by identifying a CTAE pathway or academic course

offering and should walk students through steps such as work-based learning, dual

enrollment, postsecondary options, and other decisions that will get them to their

ultimate career goal.

LONG-TERM STRATEGIES

Increase marketing and outreach around the various programs to all stakeholders,

including the community, parents or other influencers, and students. Marketing and

outreach may include sharing student success stories or other information that can help

change the narrative about careers and postsecondary options.

Develop feedback processes and formal agreements among partners to institutionalize

the efforts.

Priority 1: Develop aligned career roadmaps for all students that include career

exploration, soft skills development, career counseling, and a variety of options

following graduation.

Page 10: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

10

Educators are preparing students for the work of the future in a wide variety of fields. This

means that transferable skills and soft skills are important, as is an understanding of various

industries. Gainesville City Schools must have faculty and staff that are knowledgeable and

prepared to help students succeed in the workforce after graduation. The steering committee

supports professional development opportunities for faculty and staff that focuses on adaptive

and applied education.

SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES

Develop a plan for merging soft skills with the 4Rs (Ready, Respectful, Responsible, Role

Model) and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports System that Gainesville City

Schools already has and for increasing community buy-in.

Align with current professional learning community structure to provide opportunities

for teachers and administrators to better understand current industry needs and how

academics are connected to work.

LONG-TERM STRATEGIES

Provide additional opportunities for teachers and staff to participate in industry through

summer externships, field trips, and other professional learning activities.

Establish formal processes and additional opportunities for students to learn more about

careers at all grade levels K-12.

Priority 2: Encourage teachers and staff to be adaptive educators who ensure all

students are prepared for the workforce prior to graduation.

Page 11: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

11

Appendix: Needs Assessment

DATA

The steering committee examined data on economic, labor market, and education trends to

understand the forces shaping the future workforce, the supply of and demand for workers,

and the overall Hall County and City of Gainesville landscape. Below are three key data points.

Additional data can be found in the Gainesville City Schools Workforce data packet.

Industry Overview

The chart below provides an overview of industries in Hall County. Industries in red have

contracted since 2009, and industries in black have grown. Manufacturing, health care,

government, retail, and accommodations and food services are the five largest industries by

2018 employment.

Page 12: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

12

Occupations by Typical Level of Education

The following two charts show the top 10 occupations in Hall County for middle- and highly

skilled workers based on the typical entry-level education required to obtain such jobs.

Middle Skill (postsecondary nondegree, some college, associate’s degree)

High Skill (bachelor’s degree or higher)

Page 13: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

13

High School Outcomes

The following graph shows the outcomes for the Class of 2012 and students’ progression over

the five years following graduation. The left panel shows the entire state of Georgia, and the

right panel shows Gainesville High School graduates. On average, more students from

Gainesville City Schools are going straight to the workforce (25%) compared to the state as a

whole (18%).

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

Panelists

Brandon Loftus, ZF Industries

Jim Marinelli, Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Alan Schuetze, Carol Daniel Construction

Takeaways

Although these three employers come from very different sectors and have different needs for

numbers and types of employees, they identified similar skills gaps in entry-level employees

and potential applicants. These skills gaps include understanding a professional environment,

relationships and soft skills, attendance and punctuality, and the ability to adapt to new

technology. Local employers would like to see more intentionality around work-based learning

and correctly placing students where they will not only succeed but also are likely to stay at the

company or in Gainesville.

Page 14: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

14

STUDENT FEEDBACK

Panelists

Bryan Lopez

Angelie Ramirez

Israel Vega Garrido

Takeaways

Each of these students had distinct future plans, but they all talked about the impact that work-

based leaning and CTAE faculty and staff have had on their decisions. One of the key

takeaways that the students shared is that many of their peers do not know about these

opportunities. In all three cases, the students were told about work-based learning by

supervisors or teachers. They encouraged the committee to think about how to increase

awareness of such programs and more nontraditional routes to postsecondary education or a

career.

TEACHER INPUT

Panelists

Kateria Bogans

Misty Freeman

Dave Head

Wendy Savitz

Takeaways

The teacher panel discussed programs such as middle school exposure to pathways and careers,

job-ready skills at each level, support from district administration, increased work-based

learning and dual-enrollment opportunities, and teacher experiences like preplanning bus trips

to local manufacturers. Areas for improvement discussed by the panel include more financial

literacy for students, more exposure to a wide variety of opportunities, equitable access for all

students, integration of CTAE and core academics, and more intentionality with all programs.

Page 15: Gainesville City Schools Workforce Development Needs … · 3 Introduction Workforce development plays numerous important roles in a community, including supporting student success,

15