Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Insider View: Workforce Summit brings skills-training needs into focus

by Mary Bruno, associate vice president, College of Workforce and Continuing Education

On May 28 this year, the Daytona State College District Board of Trustees hosted “A Call to Action: Workforce Summit” attended by 79 leaders representing a diverse array of area business and industry. Chief among the discussions was the effects of the skills gap on their ability to meet their current and future employment needs.

Among the major findings and recommendations, the College of Workforce and Continuing Education, working with Volusia and Flagler county schools, has identified career pathways from high school to Daytona State that grant advanced-standing credit for qualified high school students. The advanced credits come through eight statewide articulation agreements that match specific high school programs to DSC programs and by faculty concurrence through curriculum or industry certification matches. To date, we have identified 25 possible opportunities. Pathways drafted so far are in computer science and engineering. Other articulation meetings in the works this fall are in criminal justice, business and culinary.

An Aug. 12 focus group attended by representatives of the Volusia and Flagler home builders associations, as well as builders and sub-contractors, revealed an immediate need for employees with basic or core construction skills such as safety, blueprint reading, construction math and basic building concepts and skills. Plans are being made to offer this program as non-credit during summer 2015.

Nationally and locally, the skills gap is prevalent in the manufacturing industry. This year, Daytona State began a fast-track training program with a focus on advanced manufacturing. Through a Florida TRADE grant, 75 people have received training in machining, providing the opportunity to earn two industry certifications and complete an internship. Thus far, 76 are employed and 48 have earned industry certifications. In a recent site visit by the Department of Labor, it was recommended that our employment record and focus on student success be submitted as a best practice.

A second area addressed by manufacturers was a machine maintenance program, often referred to as mechatronics. Daytona State is developing non-credit training opportunities while we further study the need for a new certificate program in this area. Notably, our Machining Certificate program has received accreditation by the National Institute of Metalworking Skills, which gave the program above-average ratings in all areas of evaluation.

A further focus group is planned later this fall to address other specific needs in manufacturing, including the possibility of adding employability and soft skills training in multiple curriculum areas.

The college also will work with industry partners to determine if additional skills training or new programs should be added in the health and computer science fields.