Brevard Tomorrow

A Community Journey

our “preferred future”

Through effective and collaborative public/private partnerships, Brevard County is a visionary community with a vibrant economy and unparalleled quality of life.

Brevard Tomorrow’s Five Working Project Teams

Civic Infrastructure Increase citizen involvement and pride in Brevard County Economy Develop a comprehensive, coordinated and seamless economic development plan for Brevard Education and Workforce

Strengthen education and workforce systems Governance

Increase coordination and communication among municipal and county governments

Land Use & GrowthEducate and reach consensus about growth and conservation issues

Brevard TomorrowEducation and Workforce

Student Project Team

Education and Workforce

Goals

Create & promote career awareness & requirements for obtaining a living wage job

Support development of demonstration of competency elements as graduation requirement

Transfer awareness to lower-wage workers

Work with employers to share understanding of job requirements and their availability

Support efforts of the Brevard Workforce Development Board

Student Branch GoalBoils Down To:

Enhance the student’s understanding of the skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary to earn a self- sufficient wage in Brevard County.

Education and WorkforceTwo Focus Audiences, Two Working Teams

Parents of high school students

“How to help their student with career exploration”

High school Students

“Enhance the students’ understanding of the skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary to earn a self- sufficient wage in Brevard County.”

Later use the data to reach younger underemployed workers

Information Delivery

Three presentations developed:

For Parents to be delivered in a variety of venues; larger employers, civic organizations, …….

For Teachers to help when working with Students to be delivered at In-service sessions

For Students to be delivered hopefully by Teachers, or volunteers in classrooms

So Where Do We Start?

By Understanding Where We Are Today

– Conducted student and teacher survey• 1,312 students; 184 teachers• Questions on living wage and career preparation

– Researched other areas & ideas– Learned related activity schools and

community do now– What do employers need– What is a “living wage”

Interesting survey observations:

Most students plan on college (83%), have a career goal (77%), and believe post secondary education is important to their goal (86%)

Teachers, however, do not think students have a career goal (82%)

Student’s have some knowledge on what it will take to completely support themselves when working and living on their own

(12th Grade)

Less than $10/hr 3%

$10 - 14/hr 20%

$14 - 18/hr 25%

$18 - 22/hr 26%

> $22/hr 26%

Survey observations, con’t

When asked about schools preparing students for career, results were:

Students Teachers

Very satisfied 11% 9%

Somewhat satisfied 35% 36%

Satisfied 30% 40%

When asked whether they were knowledgeable on Business needs teachers responded:

Very knowledgeable 25%

Knowledgeable 43%

Somewhat knowledgeable 30%

Answers in both areas would suggest room for improvement

Survey observations, con’t

“Career Counseling” was found more useful by students with career goals

Students who thought “Career Counseling” useful, also thought school had prepared them

Total

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

1 2 3 4 5

Yes

Total

Count of Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school?

Question 1: Do you have a specific career goal? Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school?

32%

Total

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

1 2 3 4 5

No

Total

Count of Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school?

Question 1: Do you have a specific career goal? Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school?

20%

With Career Goals Without Career Goals

Total

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

50.00%

1 2 3 4 5

Very Useful

Total

Count of Question 4: How well has school prepared you to achieve your career goals?

Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school? Question 4: How well has school prepared you to achieve your career goals?

Total

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

50.00%

1 2 3 4 5

Not at all Useful

Total

Count of Question 4: How well has school prepared you to achieve your career goals?

Question 5: How useful to you is career counseling at your school? Question 4: How well has school prepared you to achieve your career goals?

Career Counseling Very Useful Career Counseling Not Useful

80% 28%

Survey observations, con’t

“EMERGING THEMES” from the Teacher/Administrator survey…The following were the general responses when asked “What would you like to see

added to the high school curriculum that would help students (and you) in planning and preparing for the student’s career goals?”

• Vocational Programs – (30%)• Life Skills – (16%)• Career Counseling/Education – (11%)• Workshops/Guest Speakers/Career Day/Shadowing/Intern – (9%)• Personal Finance – (5%)• Technology Courses – (4%)• Community Service/Interaction/Involvement – (3%)• General Business – (3%)• Other

– Career Counseling/Specific Skills for non-college bound– Multicultural/Diversity Skills

External Research - Common ThemesWide consensus students do not fully understand what constitutes a “living wage” or what intangibles

employers require

Define and set career - school expectations

Utilize work based learning where possible (shadowing, interviews, workplace tours, mentoring, etc)

- Students start to draw connection between school and work

- Students start build soft skills employers require

- Stimulates interest in career planning, adds information

Engage businesses more in school programs to focus on career to strengthen emphasis on business needs, and support career planning

Students performance improves with a bridge between school and the workplace, integrated curriculums

External Research - Common ThemesTransition programs focusing on reading, writing, math, problem solving, and

employability and career awareness

Build academic program around career clusters (example in Brevard)

Colorado Springs, one of Brevard Tomorrow’s benchmark communities

- On-line focus on Workplace Literacy Competencies

- Communication skills - Organization skills

- Thinking skills - Worker qualities

- Technology skills

- Use COIN Career Community internet program for “living wage and career information - high participation

- Contextual learning of workplace competencies in general education, most taught in career and technical courses

Kister ConsultingResearchers found that students’ scores on standardized tests and alternate assessments

were higher if their classes involved work that resembled real situations

46%

31%

69%60%

45%

63%53%

39%

57%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

Academics wereintegrated

Less intensiveacademic

integration

Academics werenot integrated

Reading Mathematics Science

Students said they frequentlyhad joint assignments in:

High-Achieving

HSTW Sites

Low-Achieving

HSTW Sites

Writing 90% 23%

Mathematics 41% 13%

Science 60% 19%

HSTW - High Schools That Work

Current and Future Planned Activity

Workforce Development Board, Tech Prep Consortium Capstone Project

- Competitive grants to be provided to selected high schools

- Career development emphasis

- Schools design and implement projects to their specifications

- Implement Capstone Projects 2005/6 (Edgewood, Titusville, West Shore)

Work Readiness Credential Project

- Multi-state project to develop entry-level workers skills and tasks

- Based on business input on what's important

- Primary use through One-Stop Career Centers

- School systems may adopt but not mandatory

- Projected rollout mid-2006

Brevard School System Efforts

Brevard schools start with introduction of people from different field visiting primary classrooms, discussions about the workplace in classrooms, embedding specific skills in curriculum, and development of “soft skills” as part of on-going classes

Career day - adult workers visit schools tied to an instructional area

Reality Store - students experience operating on a “living wage”

Course offerings include:

Life Management Skills

Research and Critical Thinking

Applied Technology Program

AT CHOICE

Brevard School System Efforts

Numerous on-going activities support workforce preparation

Character education Consistent expectation of so called “soft skills”

Career exposure through the classroom Guidance and counseling opportunities

Opportunities for parent involvement Career Fairs

Reality Store Apprenticeship opportunities

Career Academies Summer enrichment activities

Varied curriculum offerings Career exploration partnership with BCC

Problem solving opportunities Leadership opportunities

Tutoring Mentoring

Newsletters WEB Sites

Visitation by College Representative Career and College Night Events

Living WageA “Living Wage” is the salary necessary to meet expenses making a family self-

sufficient, requiring no Government assistance.

Included necessary expenses include:Food Housing TelephoneTransportation Household suppliesHealth/dental care Child care

Necessary expenses do not include:Dining out Credit card debt Savings Renters/life insurance Social/recreation Internet Car payment Cell phoneCable TV

Family Household Living Wage

AnnualHourly

1 Working adult, 2 children employer health care $ 35,380 $17.69

2 Working adults, 2 children, employer health care $ 44,111 $11.03 ea

Single, employer health care, car & cable $ 20,508 $10.25

At $14/hr At $18/hr At $22/hrMonthly Income 2333 Balance 3000 Balance 3667 Balance

Expenses Taxes SS 166 2168 213 2787 260 3406 Income 226 1942 326 2461 489 2917 Rent 818 1124 818 1643 818 2099 Food 478 646 478 1165 478 1621 Telephone 36 610 36 1129 36 1585 Auto Insurance 126 484 126 1003 126 1459 Payment 200 284 200 803 200 1259 Operational 88 196 88 715 88 1171 Household items 98 98 126 589 154 1017 Clothing 87 11 112 477 137 881

How much will $14, $18, or $22/hour buy?

Health care SavingsCable Renters insuranceEntertainment Life insuranceVacation Cell phoneDining out InternetCredit card debt Cable TVPets

Not yet included

Two parents, two children

Sample of Occupations gaining the most new Jobs in Brevard

Occupation Entry Wage Avg. Wage• Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics $9.08 $15.80• Bookkeeping, Accounting , and Auditing Clerks $8.13 $12.11• Carpenters $10.85 $15.22• Cashiers $6.57 $8.75• Janitors and Cleaners $6.43 $9.06• Medical Assistants $8.13 $10.27• Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers $14.52 $17.52• Receptionists and Information Clerks $6.83 $9.21• Registered Nurses $18.85 $23.59• Secondary School Teachers, Exc. Special & Voc. $19.80 $27.34• Teacher Assistants $11.02 $12.12• Tile and Marble Setters $11.89 $17.85• Waiters and Waitresses $6.04 $6.85

Source: Florida Agency for Workforce Innovtion, Labor Market Statistics – March, 2005

Education and Training pays …

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Some college, no degree

Unemployment Rate(Percent)

Median Earnings (Dollars)

1.6

2.3

2.9

6.5

3.5

1.8 $46,300

$28,800

$35,400

$32,400

$55,300

$21,400

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000.

High-school, graduate

Some high-school, no

diploma

Employers Really Want

Skills

• Communication; listening, verbal, written• Analytical & research• Computer & technical literacy• Flexibility & adaptability• Managing multiple priorities• Interpersonal skills• Leadership & management• Multicultural awareness & sensitivity•Planning & organizing• Problem solving• Reasoning & creativity• Teamwork

Values

• Honesty, integrity, morality• Adaptability & flexibility• Dedication, tenacity, hard working• Dependability & responsibility• Loyalty• Positive Attitude• Motivation, energy, passion• Professionalism• Self-confidence• Work with little supervision•Willingness to learn

Employers want basic math, reading, and computer skills; and more importantly well developed “soft” skills

Conclusions and Recommendations

Continual message for Students and Teachers about a “Living Wage” and Employer Requirements

• The Student Branch has prepared a version of this presentation to give to teachers and students; emphasizing “living wage”, employer requirements, and information sources

• Flyer prepared for handout on primary elements

• Continue in:– Morning announcements

– Posters

– “Live” business visits

– Computer lab online information

Maintain emphasis on formal career planning programs integrated with academic plans

Information and Reference Sources

Florida.echoices.com Mymedcareer.com

Brevardjoblink.org Brevardyouthworks.org

aci.org careerbuilder.com

acrna.net

pirate.brevard.k12.fl.us/Resource/Index.html

brevardtomorrow.com

Living Wage presentation

Student-Teacher Survey results

This presentation

Other information