19D - WORKFORCE PLAN 2017-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Orange County Regloncl Plan UVOPKrORCE A.CTt tTIES /SERVICE FLAN FOR ENGLISH LA14GUAGE LEARIeERS The County has already made some progress, as its number of English Language Learners has decreased from a peak of almost 160,000 in 2003 to just over 120,000 in 2016. This demonstrates both the effectiveness of current OC Region language acquisition programs and the ability of many local students to overcome initial language barriers. English Language skills are crucial to 903 of the 954 occupations listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; the remaining 51 occupations are primarily low- skill, low -wage jobs with marginal opportunities for career advancement. Many individuals with limited English skills have few opportunities to find high - quality jobs without services that improve their proficiency at English, Adult education partners will play a key role In providing services for English Language Learners in the Region. Activities will include, but not be limited to: • Evaluation of current programs and capacity • Committing to adopt English language proficiency standards that correspond to college and career -ready standards • Developing and administering regionally aligned assessments • Supporting collaboration between workforce and education partners /stakeholders • Assist participants in obtaining literacy and basic skills for employment and transition through career pathways Declaration: Orange County has the highest percentage of English Language Learners in Southern California at 25 %, and supporting language programs will become even more important as the county continues to become more diverse. Regional Goa110bjective: Improve access and quality of Service Delivery to enable upward mobility for all Californians through coordinated regional partner efforts, including for those individuals with barriers to employment such as English Language Learners and other special populations, Strategy: Employ coordinated service delivery and approaches proven to accelerate individuals' progress towards his /her academic and vocational goals; evaluate current needs for adult education programs within the OC Region, integrate existing programs and create seamless transitions into postsecondary education or the workforce. State Plan Alignment: Coordination of programs and services by building regional partnerships between workforce, education, and other key partnerststakeholders to integrate service delivery and braid resources to best meet client needs. 2C. REGIONAL SECTOR PATHWAYS: The purpose of "regional sector pathways" is to ensure that demand industries in each region are having their workforce needs met while also ensuring that students, workers, and other individuals, including individuals from populations with barriers to employment, have the opportunity to develop the requisite skills in- demand in their respective regional labor markets, and that the proper remediation and other supportive services are available to ensure participants can succeed. Regional sector pathway programs should ultimately result In the attainment of industry-recognized postsecondary credentials by those who complete these programs. INDUSTRY LEADER ENGAGEMENT/ SUMMARY OF CONVENING ACTIVITIES Determining industry workforce needs in the Orange County region required the efforts of a multitude of partners. Industry sector leaders, organized labor, educational institutions, regional economic development agencies and non - profit organizations gathered in a variety of settings to share critical information, feedback and recommendations that led to the development of a robust plan to address workforce issues. Regional sector pathways for the OC Region are identified and developed through regional planning and organization efforts led by industry sector leaders, and include: organized labor, community colleges, K -12 programs, Adult Schools, all four regional Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG) Consortia, three local boards operating jointly in the Orange County RPU, CBOs such as United Way and Goodwill, business associations, and regional economic development agencies. Page 13 19 D -28