Strengthening Youth Partnerships and Federal

Strategic Youth Vision

www.workforceflorida.com

Strengthening Youth Partnerships

Initiated by the First Jobs/First Wages Council of Workforce Florida, Inc. in Summer of 2003

Purpose

To enhance communication, coordination and planning among key organizations that play a role in developing Florida’s youth, particularly in the area of workforce skill attainment.

Overall Goal of Partners“Do everything possible to ensure every young person in Florida is ready and able to pursue a meaningful job path.”

Aligned with Federal New Youth Vision

Focus on Alternative Education Meeting Demands of Business,

Especially in High-Growth Industries and Occupations

Focus on Neediest Youth Focus on Improved Performance

Why Target Youth with Multiple Risk Behaviors?

Focus: Every Young Person

“Supply Pipeline” – We can’t afford to leave the most vulnerable behind.

The Demographic Shift

For decades U.S. economy has steadily improved due to increase in

workforce quantity and quality. Baby Boomers Women’s participation in workforce College-educated adults increased

Over the next decade, all the forces that drove labor force growth collapse or reverse.

Source: The World is Flat, Freidman

Florida’s Demographic Trends Florida is one of the fastest growing states

in nation Florida is leading in the rate of employment

growth Unemployment rate below the national

average and setting in-state records – Under 3%

High ratio of English as the second language

Aging workforce

Workforce Development Strategies

Quantity Issue – Grow them, attract them, retrain them, retain them

Quality Issue – Occupational skills training in high/skill/demand occupations, increase HS graduation & post secondary training rates, improve work readiness skills, & “reframe” technical education.

DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS2004-07: 100% of WIA youth state level funds

supportingFederal Strategic Youth Vision

• CHOICES Career Academies Replication• Project Connect• DOVE Girls’ Residential Facility• Foster Youth Transition• BEST (Business Employment Solutions

& Training)

Community High:

Okaloosa Institutes for Career Education

Rigor, Relevance and Rigor, Relevance and RelationshipsRelationships

Natural Partnership

Workforce Development Board

of Okaloosa and Walton Counties

Okaloosa CountySchool Board

CHOICE program

ENROLLMENT BY ACADEMY

2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007Digital Media 62 88 143

Cisco Networking

42 44 40

Oracle 10 17 13

PC Support 48 24 24

Programming 44 48 77

Web Design 192 198 230

*Intro Class 236 189 134

1=$10,606 5=$37,355

21=$122,241 1=$5,716

108=$628,668 74=$444,000

21=$126,000 3 @ $15,174

CCNA

MCDST

PHOTOSHOP

TOTAL VALUE = $1,389,760*Certmag, May 2006

Over 500 NCCER Industry Certifications Earned – Worth $7 million

335 OSHA 10-Hour Certifications Earned – Worth $67,000

132 Bright Futures Gold Seal Scholarships Earned – Worth $3,168,000

40 ICF-EcoBlock Certifications – Worth $8,000

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

CERTIFICATION VALUES

Escambia Santa Rosa

Okaloosa Walton Holmes Jackson

Washington

BayCalhoun

Gadsden Leon Jefferson

MadisonHamilton

TaylorWakullaLiberty

Franklin

GulfLafayette

Suwannee Columbia

AlachuaDixie

UnionBradford

Gilchrist

Baker

Nassau

Duval

ClaySt. Johns

Putnam

Flagler

MarionLevy

Citrus

Pasco

Volusia

HernandoSumter

Lake

Hillsborough

Manatee

Pinellas

Polk

Seminole

Orange Brevard

Osceola

Highlands

Sarasota

Hardee

DeSoto

Okeechobee

Charlotte

Lee

Glades

Hendry

Collier

Indian River

St. Lucie

Martin

Palm Beach

Broward

Monroe

Dade

Choice Career Institute Sites

‘PROJECT CONNECT’Purpose

Connect Florida agencies and organizations to help juvenile offenders become connected to their future

Challenge – reintroduction of former felons into workplace

OUTCOMES: “Connected Youth”

A high school diploma or GED; postsecondary degree or industry-

recognized certification; Employed in a job with career

advancement possibilities; Not engaged in risk-taking behaviors; and Social and family supports.

Outcomes 292 DJJ youth served (primarily

residential) 110 basic skills training, 189 in teen

pregnancy prevention, 127 in leadership training, 101 in occupation skills training, 81 placed in unsubsidized employment

To-date recidivism rate is 26% compared with 40% statewide average

It Helps to Have Partners!!