Implementing Cutting Edge Tools for Aligning Higher Education with Economic Development

Andrea German-Willis, WorkKeys Center at Syracuse University, University College

Karen DeJarnette, Workforce Development, Empire State Development Corporation

Agenda

• Why is a tool important?

• Implications for Higher Education?

• What tool did we choose?

• How have we used it to develop alignment? – Education – Economic Development

Why is a tool important?

What ‘problem’ were we trying to address?

• Alignment between workforce supply and demand sides

• Lots of data collected in silos• Some collaboration, but each time

we ‘started from scratch’ • Let’s play ‘who has the information?’ • Data used to prevent fires, but

very little strategic planning

Why is a tool important?

‘Solution’ would provide alignment by• a systematic approach to data

analysis • better collaboration between

organizations and agencies using data

• access to real-time, online information

• ability to drive both short and long term action

How could Higher Ed use such a tool? • Research existing educational

programs in region (one step)• Use data from other

resources/sectors for program planning–Workforce Development– Economic Development– Business Industry Data

How could Higher Ed use such a tool? • Student advising – matching skills

experiences with opportunities• Communicate with other sectors in

their language• Demonstrate responsiveness of

institution to regional economic/workforce development needs

• Play role in attracting business/industry to region

Lots of initiatives, little alignment

Found a tool to bring data together

EducationEconomic Development

Workforce Development

Alignment tool bridges silos

Manufacturing

Agriculture, Forestry,

Fishing, and Hunting

Utilities

Construction

Retail Trade

InformationTechnology

Computer & Electrical Product

Manufacturing

Electrical Equipment,

Appliance, and Component

Manufacturing

Transportation Equipment

Manufacturing

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

Team Assembler

Computer software

engineers, Systemssoftware

Inspectors, testers,sorters, samplers,

and weighers

Electrical/Electronics Equipment

Installation and Repair, General

Electrical, Electronics,

& CommunicationsEngineering

ClustersSOC

OccupationsNAICS

IndustriesCIP

Field of Study

What’s on the tool?

Dashboard on front page

Green Tech is easy to spot

Dashboard on front page

Click thru to more information

Consistent look to tab pages

Analytics are a click away

View Full Profile

What are the industries in scientific research?

Also try other terms, e.g. biomedical, science to generate potentially different alternatives to consider.

Industry specific occupations

Align occupation to education

How much education does it take to be a Biochemist?

Right click and select full profile.

Training/education leads to careers

Job Zone provides basic information

Courses of Study provides the CIP

programs that lead to careers

Where can I go to college for this?

Click View Program Profile

College and Institutions in NYS

Other pathways to Biochemist

Consistent with Job Zone

Example:

Health Information Management

Example:

Health Information Management

Example:

Health Information Management

Alpha listing of all SU Degrees

Information easily accessible

Examine industries

Easy to access occupation info

Example:

Collaboration for grants

Example:

Collaboration for grants

Example:

Collaboration for grantsLeft click for profile info

Example:

Collaboration for grants

Example:

Determine demand for an industry

Example:

Determine demand for an industry

Example:

Other Economic Development projects• Insurance Company to attract 40 sales

positions $60,000 plus salaries 

• Advanced Manufacturing Company using SC data as part of package used to win multi-million dollar state and federal incentives to locate within the region 

• Nanotechnology R&D Organization choosing the region to locate a (4 person , soon to be 25) satellite partially based on SC workforce/educational profiles.

How else have we used it?

• eCUSE – pathways out of poverty

• Oswego – align accredited SUNY Oswego programming with CIP associated with occupations

• Industry Certification Training (ICT) grant

• Built linkages with economic development agencies

Supports new NYS ED direction2011 brings in a new Governor • Improve NYS’ business climate• New ED paradigm: Regional Economic

Development Councils• Target incentives: attract, retain and

expand jobs• Make Higher Education a jobs generator• Training 21st Century Workforce • Address needs of Small Business • Infrastructure leadership

Measures can’t be siloedGoal:

Fortify economic driversBusiness growth in economic drivers

Strategy: Develop, attract, retain talent

• Develop: Number of people employed• Attract and Retain: Labor workforce growth• Number of collaborative projects successfully completed

Implementation: Collaborative Work Group Projects

• Measures and Models team will help develop and roll up measures of success • Examples of measures include:

Regional: Existing performance measures

• DOL Common Measures:• Increased retention• Average earnings

•Number of internships/mentoring/job shadows

•Number of certificates issued/graduation rates

•Number of small businesses assisted•Improved literacy

Alignment and interdependency

Business and Industry

People and Talent

Occupations and Jobs

EDUCONOMY