The goal of the Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathways program is to increase specific education (skills and credentials) and employment outcomes for targeted populations with barriers to employment and, in doing so, to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for regional employers in in-demand occupational sectors.
This model serves a target population with three research-based innovations aligned to improve the transition in and through career pathway education and employment. 1) a career pathway navigator; 2) a contextualized bridge program building foundational academic and technology skills within an occupational context to prepare for college level work; 3) an integrated instruction model to support adults in college courses with just-in-time academic skill building. The work plan should address your program’s target population and each of these three innovations in detail.
Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathways programs are designed for adults who need academic and employability supports to be successful in postsecondary credential attainment. Characteristics could include one or more of the following or similar characteristics:
• Minnesota Adult Basic Education eligible
• Participant in public workforce development system (e.g., WIA Adult, WIA dislocated worker, TANF, SNAP E&T, MFIP only cohorts)
• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) recipients
• MnSCU Developmental or Remedial Education or English Language Learner student
• Low income worker, underemployed
• Incarcerated adults near release
• Veterans
• Long-term unemployed
• Adults with disabilities
• Populations with employment disparities
Program and Participant Outcomes:
• Basic skills acquisition – Attainment of Educational Functioning Level gain as outlined by the National Reporting System. Data provided by the local ABE partner through the Minnesota ABE Management Information System.
• Credit Accumulation – accumulation of credits in career pathway programming. Data provided by local MnSCU institution in ISRS.
• Credential attainment – Industry recognized certification including a certificate, diploma, credential or degree with academic credit from an accredited postsecondary institution. Provided by local MnSCU institution in ISRS and/or Workforce One. See Department of Labor TEGL 15-10 for further definition of the term “credential.”
• Job placement in career field – Participant obtained a job in field of study. Provided by workforce development system partners through Workforce One.
• Job retention – Participant retains job for 12 months after exiting the training program. Provided by state workforce development system partners through use of DEED’s wage detail data.
• Wage progression – Pre- and post- program completion increased earnings after job placement. Provided by state workforce development system partners through use of DEED’s wage detail data.
• Continuation of career pathway training – Participant enrolls in next level of coursework in a career pathway program provided by local MnSCU institution through ISRS.
• For public assistance participants the MFIP/DWP Self-Support Index and eligibility and employment data from DHS.