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VI. Certificates/Diplomas/Credentials
<br />Note: WIA only accepts certificates that are accredited by a State recognized
<br />educational entity or are recognized by employers.
<br />A. What type(s) of certificates will youth be able to earn while in your program.
<br />Youth are able to earn various state recognized credentials through our partners,
<br />ITA accounts and on-the-job earned certifications which include forklift operator,
<br />safe food handling, national retail federation, and computer software.
<br />Corpsmembers can receive vouchers to reduce the cost of getting their driver's
<br />license, and some of our partners can help them get their truck driving license.
<br />Most importantly, the OCCC Charter School provides high school diplomas, not just
<br />GEDs. A 2011 study by Education Research International indicates that the long-
<br />term effects of not having a high school diploma —on a person's career earnings,
<br />health, social situation, and likelihood of incarceration — are so disastrous that cost
<br />benefit analysis find that for every $1000 spent on drop-out prevention, society
<br />reaps a return of $1,500 to $3,000. For out-of-school youth, a high school
<br />education is strongly tied to securing employment. With high unemployment and
<br />high competition for jobs, youth without a high school diploma do not stand a
<br />chance to compete in today's job market.
<br />In addition to its classroom -based classes, the OCCC Charter School provides
<br />online courses through a special partnership to enable a flexible schedule and
<br />tailor its program to the individual needs and interests of its students. FlipSwitch is
<br />the result of more than ten years of research and development in the online
<br />learning industry. Founded in 2001 as American Virtual Academy (AVA), the
<br />company started as the exclusive technology and curriculum partner for a young,
<br />upstart institution in Arizona named Primavera Online High School. FlipSwitch has
<br />the following certifications: UC Certified (3 year process, complete 2012), A -G
<br />Certified (Complete High School Diploma), and NCAA Certified Courses (98%
<br />courses certified by NCAA). Through this collaboration, the OCCC is able to offer
<br />over 200 courses in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, world
<br />languages, fine arts & vocational, health & physical education, and electives.
<br />B. Describe the training that will lead to the certificate/diploma/credential.
<br />The OCCC will provide the WIA Corpsmembers with hard skills (on the job training,
<br />certifications, etc.) and soft skills (responsibility, discipline, punctuality, uniform
<br />standards, etc.) which lead to job retention. The WIA Corpsmembers will be
<br />exposed to presentations, workshops, and fieldtrips to assist them in developing
<br />career paths. The Corps -2 -Career Specialist will work individually with the WIA
<br />Corpsmembers to develop personalized goals (post -secondary education, job
<br />placement, and career development) that lead them to self-sufficiency.
<br />WIA Corpsmembers research jobs on O*NET to obtain expected job growth, wages
<br />and educational requirements. Subsequently, depending on the training that is
<br />needed, Corpsmembers are referred to ROP, Community Colleges, Apprenticeship
<br />Programs and Technical Schools. Additionally, presenters are scheduled from a
<br />variety of high -demand industries including green jobs, medical careers, etc.
<br />EXHIBIT A
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