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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ATCOLLEGE OF DUPAGEFY 05
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FY09A Report to the President and Board of TrusteesSeptember 2009EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to define Workforce Development at College of DuPage and sharea five-year overview of all related programs and services for students and communities inDistrict 502. The final section of the report is a list of all Career and Technical credit programscurrently offered by the College.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEFINED
The birth of the Workforce Development movement in the United States is traced back to whenPresident Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. WIA was comprehensivereform legislation that superseded previous legislation related to job training, adult education,family literacy, and rehabilitation programs. The primary goal of WIA was to overhaul Federal job training programs and create a new comprehensive workforce investment system with thefocus on customer service; access and convenience; streamlined quality services andinformation; and a stronger linkage to the needs of U.S. employers. Other key features of theinitial legislation and subsequent reauthorizations have included empowerment to the individual;increased accountability; a strong role for local workforce investment boards; state and localflexibility; and improved youth programs (U.S. Department of Labor, WIA Final Rule).For the purposes of this report, Workforce Development is defined according to the mission ofthe National Association of Workforce Boards (Workforce Development Academy 2008):
Workforce development systems are market-driven; easily accessible to any individual who wants or needs a job, education, or training; supply well-trained people for all employers; and provide employers with assistance and support for lifelong learning initiatives and for the creation of a high-performance workforce.
The foundation of Workforce Development is education and it involves the collaboration ofpublic and private sectors (Illinois DCEO 2009). For higher education, workforce developmentincludes education, training, and outreach for youth, traditional-age college students, adultstudents, and dislocated workers. From a systems perspective, workforce development is animprovement process that prepares people for new job opportunities; helps individuals stayemployed through job retraining and skill development; and supports people to pursue careersand self-sufficiency.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT COLLEGE OF DUPAGE
Similar to the formal definitions, Workforce Development efforts at College of DuPage (COD)are very comprehensive and integrated into how the institution serves students andcommunities in District 502. It is directly tied to the mission of the College through guidingprinciples and institutional priorities related to access, affordability, workplace readiness, career
 
 
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and technical education, community development, and obtaining skills associated with cutting-edge technology. As a comprehensive community college, COD reaches out to unserved andunderserved residents. It also works diligently to establish and maintain positive workingrelationships and special partnerships with area employers, non-profit agencies, industry andtrade associations, school districts, and colleges and universities.It is important to note the many academic divisions and administrative offices of the College whoare directly involved in providing programs and services related to Workforce Development.Business & Technology Center for EntrepreneurshipContinuing Education Student ServicesHealth & Science High School PartnershipsLearning Resources Liberal ArtsAcademic AffairsWe also rely heavily upon the services and staff support from Grants; Admissions, Records, andRegistration; Governmental Relations; the Office of the President; and the Business Office.COD uses an integrated model for providing Workforce Development programs and services toindividuals, employers, and communities. The administrative responsibility for WorkforceDevelopment resides in the Office of Academic Affairs rather than have a single departmentdevoted to these initiatives and services. Currently, the Associate Vice President of AcademicAffairs is responsible for promoting Workforce Development through internal leadership andcoordination and also serves as an external institutional representative with the President andVice President of Academic Affairs.The breadth and depth of Workforce Development oriented programs, services, and specialinitiatives at COD are far-reaching and more pervasive in the daily operations of the Collegethan one may assume. As noted in the pages to follow, several divisions, offices, and centers ofthe College offer extensive career and technical degrees, certificates, and training at all CODlocations, high schools, and at employer sites. For example, in FY 09 there were 1,846graduates who earned a degree or credit certificate in the Career and Technical Education(CTE) disciplines. Outreach instruction and support services for special populations occurthrough the GED, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language programs offeredthrough Continuing Education. The Library continues to invest in online resources and specialcollections related to career development and job search strategies. Student Affairs is offeringcounseling services, special workshops, and other support services to benefit new andcontinuing students as well as the general public.
EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS
In addition to ongoing, internal collaboration among college personnel, success in WorkforceDevelopment is quite dependent upon strong and sustainable working relationships with avariety of external partners. Partners often include:Government (local, county, state, and federal) High SchoolsColleges and universities in the Chicagoland area Non-profit social service agenciesWorkforce Investment Boards and committees Faith-based organizationsArea employers of all sizes and types Consortia for special populationsAssociations of specific industries and trades
 
 
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As noted in the original definitions of Workforce Development, this segment of the College isvery market-driven. The fluidity of Workforce Development is reflected in what is offered; whereand how it is delivered; and the timing of the program and services. There may be a suddeninflux of new jobs to the region because a new employer decides to build a plant in District 502.In contrast, a major employer that everyone thought would be here forever has suddenly fallenupon tough times and closes leaving hundreds of people suddenly unemployed. This level ofunpredictability pressures the College to be nimble, innovative, and responsive on fairly shortnotice.When reviewing the report, it is evident that some projects and educational outreach will last along time while other initiatives are much more short-term. The tenure of a program is directlytied to serving the needs of the area citizenry and employers. Concluding a special trainingprogram often means the need has been met rather than a reflection on the quality of what wasprovided by the College. The size of the Workforce Development program or event may dependupon employers or other partners teaming up in a consortium to leverage resources and reach atargeted audience. The College is always looking for new degree and certificate programs todevelop and offer to meet emerging needs. The demand for Workforce Development programsand services offered by the College can increase during prosperous times as well as periods ofeconomic hardship such as the past 18 months. What often varies is the type of program andservices the College is called upon to provide.
HOW THE REPORT IS ORGANIZED
The subsequent pages of Workforce Development activities at COD are organized into thefollowing sections.
Grants for Workforce Development
Credit and Non-Credit Curriculum and Program Development for Career andTechnical Education Programs
Key Clients and Projects Through BPI (aka COD Business Solutions) and the Center forEntrepreneurship
Workforce Development and Professional Boards, Committees, and Affiliations
High School Partnerships and Workplace Readiness Initiatives
Partnerships and Outreach Initiatives Related to Workforce Development
Workforce Development Events (as a host and/or participant)
Services to the Public and Special Populations Such as the Unemployed
Other (e.g. internships and cooperative education; counseling services)
Career and Technical Education Credit Programs Offered(as of September 9, 2009)By design, the first section of this report is about grants and the extensive financial support theyhave provided to COD in the area of Workforce Development. The collaboration and creativityamong the faculty and staff of the academic divisions and centers along with the strongtechnical support from the Grants Office and Business Office have led to many significantWorkforce Development accomplishments for COD. In addition to the Grants section of thereport, details related to project implementation and impact are included in the informationsubmitted by the various divisions of the College.
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