STUDENT PATHWAYS

STUDENT PATHWAYS

Interested in being a part of the youth apprenticeship program?

For students interested in applying to be a youth apprentice and employers interested in hiring a youth apprentice, please visit  www.careerwiseelkhartcounty.org for more information.

CAREERWISEELKHARTCOUNTY.ORG     

 
OVERVIEW

HEA’s priorities for Student Pathways have focused on supporting a cohesive pipeline of career awareness and exploration activities in middle school and early high school, leading into hands-on work-based learning experiences, including apprenticeships, in the junior and senior year. HEA has worked with schools and employers to launch two population-level initiatives for middle school students, Manufacturing Days and Career Quest, that provide opportunities for students to explore career pathways in Elkhart County. In addition, HEA has provided training and support for educators to partner with local business representatives to implement project-based learning, with businesses helping to develop authentic, real-world projects from their own industry. Our goal is for all students to graduate from high school with an identified career pathway that integrates relevant hands-on experience and postsecondary education.

For Elkhart County educators interested in engaging with HEA’s Career Pathways work or partnering with local businesses to bring authentic career pathways experiences into their classrooms, additional resources can be found on the Student Pathways Resource Site.

Interested in being a part of the youth apprenticeship program?

For students interested in applying to be a youth apprentice and employers interested in hiring a youth apprentice, please visit  www.careerwiseelkhartcounty.org for more information.

CAREERWISEELKHARTCOUNTY.ORG     

 
OVERVIEW

HEA’s priorities for Student Pathways have focused on supporting a cohesive pipeline of career awareness and exploration activities in middle school and early high school, leading into hands-on work-based learning experiences, including apprenticeships, in the junior and senior year. HEA has worked with schools and employers to launch two population-level initiatives for middle school students, Manufacturing Days and Career Quest, that provide opportunities for students to explore career pathways in Elkhart County. In addition, HEA has provided training and support for educators to partner with local business representatives to implement project-based learning, with businesses helping to develop authentic, real-world projects from their own industry. Our goal is for all students to graduate from high school with an identified career pathway that integrates relevant hands-on experience and postsecondary education.

For Elkhart County educators interested in engaging with HEA’s Career Pathways work or partnering with local businesses to bring authentic career pathways experiences into their classrooms, additional resources can be found on the Student Pathways Resource Site.

THE CHALLENGE

Our nation is in desperate need of new models to prepare workers for the 21st century, and high schools need to develop new models to keep students engaged and prepare them for success in college and career. Traditionally, educators and businesses have attempted to tackle their challenges independently of one another.

Local trends in Elkhart County match many national trends:

  • Young people are less engaged in school as they get into high school and many do not see the relevance of school to their future lives
  • Too many young people invest financially in attending college but do not graduate or earn a degree within six years of graduation
  • Employers are unable to find the talent and skills they need to fill jobs even as many young people find they do not have the right skills or credentials for high-demand, high-wage jobs

These challenges are rooted in the lack of coordination and collaboration between education and employment systems.

THE SOLUTION

Elkhart County is emerging as a leader in breaking down silos between business and education and identifying solutions to the challenges faced by each sector. Through our career pathways model, we are working to support opportunities for students to gain awareness of multiple career pathways during elementary and middle school, explore the types of knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for specific pathways, make connections between education and their future careers as they transition into high school, and participate in programs that combine high school, post-secondary and hands-on work-and-learn opportunities in their chosen career pathway during their final years of high school.

Through connecting education with local industry, we are ensuring students are aware of the opportunities available in our community that lead to high-demand, high-wage occupations and the educational pathways into these jobs. As students build awareness and connections with local industry, our hope is that we can retain more of our talent in Elkhart County.

THE CHALLENGE

Our nation is in desperate need of new models to prepare workers for the 21st century, and high schools need to develop new models to keep students engaged and prepare them for success in college and career. Traditionally, educators and businesses have attempted to tackle their challenges independently of one another.

Local trends in Elkhart County match many national trends:

  • Young people are less engaged in school as they get into high school and many do not see the relevance of school to their future lives
  • Too many young people invest financially in attending college but do not graduate or earn a degree within six years of graduation
  • Employers are unable to find the talent and skills they need to fill jobs even as many young people find they do not have the right skills or credentials for high-demand, high-wage jobs

These challenges are rooted in the lack of coordination and collaboration between education and employment systems.

THE SOLUTION

Elkhart County is emerging as a leader in breaking down silos between business and education and identifying solutions to the challenges faced by each sector. Through our career pathways model, we are working to support opportunities for students to gain awareness of multiple career pathways during elementary and middle school, explore the types of knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for specific pathways, make connections between education and their future careers as they transition into high school, and participate in programs that combine high school, post-secondary and hands-on work-and-learn opportunities in their chosen career pathway during their final years of high school.

Through connecting education with local industry, we are ensuring students are aware of the opportunities available in our community that lead to high-demand, high-wage occupations and the educational pathways into these jobs. As students build awareness and connections with local industry, our hope is that we can retain more of our talent in Elkhart County.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS   

HEA is tracking the impact of our student pathways initiatives across the different stages of our pathways model. We are evaluating how well our career awareness initiatives are helping students to identify and understand career pathways available in our local community, to make connections between what they are learning in school and their future careers, and to plan for their futures. Available data related to the impact of our initiatives can be found on our Outcomes Data page.  Over the longer term, we are also tracking the impact of our collective efforts on students’ engagement and hope for the future, and on their postsecondary pathways following graduation.

INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

HEA is tracking the impact of our student pathways initiatives across the different stages of our pathways model. We are evaluating how well our career awareness initiatives are helping students to identify and understand career pathways available in our local community, to make connections between what they are learning in school and their future careers, and to plan for their futures. Available data related to the impact of our initiatives can be found on our Outcomes Data page.  Over the longer term, we are also tracking the impact of our collective efforts on students’ engagement and hope for the future, and on their postsecondary pathways following graduation.

INITIATIVES   

Youth apprenticeships emerged as a priority for HEA in 2018 following learning trips to Colorado and Switzerland. Elkhart County schools, Ivy Tech Community College, and local businesses collaborated to launch apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing, I.T., and business in Fall 2019. HEA has contracted with CareerWise USA to adapt their model of modern youth apprenticeships for implementation in our county. CareerWise Elkhart County provides opportunities for juniors and seniors in high school to engage in competency-based apprenticeships, spending a portion of each week as an apprentice in a local business. Youth apprenticeships allow students to gain work experience through paid employment while earning high school credit, post-secondary credit, and completing an industry-recognized certification. CareerWise Elkhart County youth apprenticeships are registered apprenticeships with the Department of Labor and upon completion, apprentices earn a nationally recognized certificate. Apprenticeships have been created in high-demand occupations, filling a need for employers and providing apprentices with the opportunity to gain the skills they would need to advance into full-time employment or pursue additional education in their chosen pathway. Learn more on the CareerWise Elkhart County website.

Career Quest is an innovative, hands-on career readiness event for 7th graders. Students rotate through quadrants highlighting four high-demand industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Information Technology. Students engage with professionals and participate in activities that showcase various high-growth occupations, opening their eyes to opportunities for great careers in Elkhart County. Additionally, high school counselors and higher education partners help students make the connection between learning, experience, and careers. Career Quest was launched in April 2019 with 7th graders in Elkhart County, along with students from St. Joseph and Marshall Counties.

Manufacturing Day is a national event that aims to teach youth about modern manufacturing careers by providing industry tours for middle school students in local manufacturing companies. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for students to gain experience and knowledge about careers in Manufacturing and to begin to build connections with the companies in their own community. Elkhart County educators have expanded the Manufacturing Day site visits into a multi-lesson curriculum, supporting students in making connections between their desired future career pathways and their education. Manufacturing Day was first piloted in Elkhart County in October 2016 and in October 2018, Manufacturing Days expanded to reach every 8th grade student in Elkhart County.

Industry-infused Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an innovative and unique educational model that engages students in investigating and solving complex, real-world challenges and provides opportunities for student voice and agency in developing solutions. Our locally-developed PBL model centers around authentic challenges from businesses and industry in our community. PBL engages teachers, employees, and students in a collaborative learning process that results in refined problem-solving skills, improved productivity, and a clearer understanding of career pathways.

INITIATIVES   

Youth apprenticeships emerged as a priority for HEA in 2018 following learning trips to Colorado and Switzerland. Elkhart County schools, Ivy Tech Community College, and local businesses collaborated to launch apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing, I.T., and business in Fall 2019. HEA has contracted with CareerWise USA to adapt their model of modern youth apprenticeships for implementation in our county. CareerWise Elkhart County provides opportunities for juniors and seniors in high school to engage in competency-based apprenticeships, spending a portion of each week as an apprentice in a local business. Youth apprenticeships allow students to gain work experience through paid employment while earning high school credit, post-secondary credit, and completing an industry-recognized certification. CareerWise Elkhart County youth apprenticeships are registered apprenticeships with the Department of Labor and upon completion, apprentices earn a nationally recognized certificate. Apprenticeships have been created in high-demand occupations, filling a need for employers and providing apprentices with the opportunity to gain the skills they would need to advance into full-time employment or pursue additional education in their chosen pathway. Learn more on the CareerWise Elkhart County website.

Career Quest is an innovative, hands-on career readiness event for 7th graders. Students rotate through quadrants highlighting four high-demand industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Information Technology. Students engage with professionals and participate in activities that showcase various high-growth occupations, opening their eyes to opportunities for great careers in Elkhart County. Additionally, high school counselors and higher education partners help students make the connection between learning, experience, and careers. Career Quest was launched in April 2019 with 7th graders in Elkhart County, along with students from St. Joseph and Marshall Counties.

Manufacturing Day is a national event that aims to teach youth about modern manufacturing careers by providing industry tours for middle school students in local manufacturing companies. Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for students to gain experience and knowledge about careers in Manufacturing and to begin to build connections with the companies in their own community. Elkhart County educators have expanded the Manufacturing Day site visits into a multi-lesson curriculum, supporting students in making connections between their desired future career pathways and their education. Manufacturing Day was first piloted in Elkhart County in October 2016 and in October 2018, Manufacturing Days expanded to reach every 8th grade student in Elkhart County.

Industry-infused Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an innovative and unique educational model that engages students in investigating and solving complex, real-world challenges and provides opportunities for student voice and agency in developing solutions. Our locally-developed PBL model centers around authentic challenges from businesses and industry in our community. PBL engages teachers, employees, and students in a collaborative learning process that results in refined problem-solving skills, improved productivity, and a clearer understanding of career pathways.