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Personal journeys through education and career pathways are often filled with challenges and obstacles, making progress difficult and compromise frequent. Chelsea Williams of Reimagine Talent Co helps us discover the role of occupational identify for career pathway success with tips for job counselors, educators, and employers alike. Resources Chelsea Williams on LinkedIn Reimagine Talent Co. Employability Targets from National Association of Colleges and Employers Viable Edu ACT's Holistic Framework ACT Workforce Summit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Unprecedented skill shortages in labor markets across the U.S. often intersect with a desire for Justice System reform that provides pathways for Returning Citizens to thrive. When optimized in a regional workforce ecosystem, Returning Citizens are a high-performing group of working learners to boost a regional talent pipeline. Episode 32 is the second in our two part series on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success. We’ll look at a five P’s framework of partnerships, planning, preparation, pathways, and performance with tips to launch or optimize regional re-entry initiatives. Guest Contributors Dr. Roderick Nunn, Executive Vice President of Concordance Academy in St. Louis Neil Volz, Deputy Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Curtis Campogni, Founder of Speak4MC Michael Williams, Education Consultant, North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Will Coppage, Executive Director of the Washington County, Mississippi, Economic Alliance Presiding Judge Charles Elliot, Morgan County, Alabama Resources Sign up for the ACT Workforce Toolkit on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success Episode 31 on Life Changing Asset and Skills-Based Solutions in Alternative Sentencing Episode 19 on Missouri Making the Most of Second Chances Episode 7 on Empowered Re-Entry ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities ACT's Monthly Workforce Newsletter See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 31 of Ready for Work is the first of a two-part episode on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success. Charles Elliot is the Presiding Circuit Judge in Morgan County, Alabama. Partnerships with the community college and economic development leaders across their Work Ready Community help with the pillars of education and career. The drug court’s alternative sentencing model thrives on integrating mental health with a record-breaking positive impact. Judge Charles Elliot of Morgan County, Alabama Episode 32: Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success Sign up for the ACT Workforce Toolkit on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities ACT's Monthly Workforce Newsletter See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Federally funded Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps more than a million and half adults each year earn a high school equivalency, increase basic and employability skills, or improve their English language proficiency. The National Reporting Service governs the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRSAE) inside Adult Ed. Through an accountability and performance system of Educational Functioning Levels and Measurable Skill Gains, these standards guide learning and assessment in Adult Ed. A group of nine subject matter experts in Adult Education formed a panel to align the CCRSAE to the benchmarks of WorkKeys. The panelists represent four states across the South, Midwest, and Northeast regions of the U.S. Results of the study help demonstrate a crosswalk with the Educational Functioning Levels to help ABE programs optimize performance as working learners meet both career and education goals. The report is available now.  Enhancing the detail of the crosswalk are best practices from the Mississippi Community College Board, Hagerstown Community College in Maryland, and Metropolitan Community College of Omaha, Nebraska. Each guest contributes their perspectives on the importance of the alignment work and how it helps improve ABE programming. The panelists share what they gained in unique insights from the research that also helps demystify Strength of Link. Episode 30 concludes with tips to read and interpret the crosswalk along with a briefing on the new Move Ahead with Adult Ed campaign. Guest Contributors Tammy Green, Metropolitan Community College of Omaha Bronwyn Robertson, Mississippi Community College Board Dawn Shoenenberger, Hagerstown (Maryland) Community College Resources WorkKeys Crosswalk Alignment with Adult Ed Standards (CCRSAE) TABE-WorkKeys Data Relationships in Mississippi ACT Work Ready Communities ACT WorkKeys Job Profiling and Research See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With increased investment in apprenticeship comes increased expectations. ACT joined forces with local apprenticeships successful in skills-based hiring and national thought leaders on what’s needed to boost quality and completions in apprenticeship. Coming out of this collaboration is a new toolkit from ACT. We packed the toolkit with resources and scalable options of good, better, and best to provide apprenticeship coordinators flexibility in how to organize their efforts. The toolkit is organized into nine elements to boost quality and apprenticeship, across the domains of learning, working, and thriving. Download the Apprenticeship Toolkit Contributors Christy Cheek, Mountain Area (NC) Workforce Board Ralph Emerson, Cummins, Inc. Tammy Green, Metropolitan Community College Trudy Haszlauer, NV Energy Dr. Cindy Hill, ACT and WorkKeys Profiling Mary LeFebvre, ACT State and Federal Programs Trey Michael, Career and Technical Education - North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Neil Reddy, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Christi Smiley, Northern Regional Hospital (NC) Dr. Jeffrey Steedle, ACT Research Marty Walsh, U.S. Labor Secretary John Wensveen, Broward Center for Innovation at Nova Southern University See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One part humor, one part inspiration! Episode 28 kicks off our third season of Ready for Work with a fun perspective on the role of humor in workforce development. Our guest is comedian Roy Wood Junior, a correspondent on Comedy Central's hit, The Daily Show, and host of Roy's Job Fair, a podcast that explores the human condition through the prism of employment. Roy's famed humor is matched by his true empathy and curiosity for people. Roy helps us share the very serious topic of unemployment with an injection of comedy so the workforce ecosystem can be as relatable as possible to working learners. Show Notes and Resources Roy's Job Fair Podcast ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Summit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the nation's deadliest tornados struck Joplin, Missouri ten years ago this week. On episode 27 of Ready for Work, we take a closer look at Joplin's recovery through the lens of the workforce ecosystem and the nation's first ACT-certified Work Ready Community. A recurring theme is the priceless value of partnership connectivity and innovation. The workforce ecosystem was fortunate to have integrated partnerships with education and economic development that helped respond directly to the needs and urgency required.  Check out interviews with a few of those partners, such as Dave Rockers from Franklin Technology Center, Julie Gibson, a former state workforce development director, and Rob O’Brian, the developer at the helm of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce during the recovery effort. This edition showcases clips from participants and leaders in Joplin's Disaster Recovery Jobs Program.  Guests and Featured Resources Rob O’Brian, O’Brian and Associates, former President of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Dave Rockers, Director, Franklin Technology Center Julie Gibson, GPS Impact, former director of Missouri Workforce Development Citizens Advisory Recovery Team Southwest Missouri Workforce Board ACT Press Release on Joplin Tornado 10th Anniversary Disaster Recovery Jobs Program Statewide Video Journal Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Series – Ready for Work Podcast Resiliency Toolkit and Disaster Recovery Resources from ACT ACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The region's workforce ecosystem is only as strong as its leadership. Joining us on episode 25 of Ready for Work, author and consultant Dr. Anthony Edwards helps guide us from new book, Building a Winning Workforce: A Playbook for Employers, Government Entities; Colleges & Schools; Workforce Development Agencies, Economic Development Organizations ... & Chambers of Commerce; & Nonprofits. Later in the podcast, we'll listen to this leadership in action as Missouri's governor celebrates job creation and growth in Certified Work Ready Communities. Guests and Featured ResourcesDr. Anthony Edwards, author of Building a Winning WorkforceGeneral Manager at ETX Innovation CenterLinkedInTwitterRay McCarty, Associated Industries of MissouriMardy Leathers, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce DevelopmentMissouri Governor Mike ParsonWork Ready Communities at ACT See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Keeping the future in mind is a necessary function for persisting through disaster recovery. As regions continue to overcome the pandemic, there is a balance in preparing for future opportunities and obstacles at the same time. Episode 25 features Chad Chancellor, Co-Founder and CEO of the Next Move Group. Listeners can gain insight on the ever-changing skills marketplace in economic development and how that translates to expectations for workforce development and career education leaders. Chad explains how smaller markets and rural areas could see increased viability. Prospects and investors appreciate a simple, user-friendly approach with the buckets of recruit, screen, and train. Chad helps listeners find the right balance in wage competitiveness as well. Rounding out episode 25 are recaps from Mark Arend of Site Selection magazine as new rankings are out for 2021. Preble County, Ohio’s economic development chief, Brenda Latanza, shares her experience in the site selection process as a Work Ready Community. Guests and Contributors Chad Chancellor, Next Move Group Mark Arend, Site Selection Magazine Brenda Latanza, Preble County (OH) Development Partnership Resources Next Move Group 2021 State of the States and Regional Workforce Rankings from Site Selection Magazine Episode 18 with Mark Arend of Site Selection Magazine Episode 10 Work Ready Communities Overview Episode 1 Using Work Ready Communities for Economic Development ACT Workforce Newsletter ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our third of three episodes dedicated to Skills-Based Recovery and Resiliency, episode 24 brings us to the Deploy and Analyze phases in the five-part ALEDA framework. Sean McCoy from Public Consulting Group shares some factors worth considering in the deployment of recovery services remotely.  We’ll check out some best practice examples in remote work-based learning with Kelly Dyer in Missouri, and remote instruction with Brownwyn Robertson in Mississippi. Mike Longo and Mary LeFebvre are back with us to share tips and perspectives in analyzing recovery and resiliency efforts.  Episode 22 covers the Adapt phase while 23 explores the Lead and Engage phases. Guests and Contributors Sean McCoy, Public Consulting Group Kelly Dyer, Missouri InternConnect and ApprenticeConnect Mike Longo, Lorain County Workforce Agency and OhioMeansJobs Center Brownwyn Robertson, Mississippi Adult Education Smart Start Mary LeFebvre, ACT Governmental Affairs Resources Sign up for the ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and Resiliency Public Consulting Group and VERA Solution Missouri InternConnect and ApprenticeConnect Episode 11: Next-Level Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning ACT Case Study on Ohio Re-Employment Success in Lorain County/Northern Ohio ACT Case Study on Ohio Statewide Re-Employment Success Episode 20: Adult Education Success in Mississippi with WorkKeys Curriculum Mississippi Adult Education Smart Start WorkKeys Curriculum Episode 22: Adapt Phase of ALEDA Framework (Part 1 of 3) Episode 23: Lead and Engage Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 2 of 3) ACT Workforce Newsletter ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Workforce ecosystem leaders encounter plenty of challenging layers to disaster recovery and economic resiliency.  ACT curated a five-part toolkit with a framework we call ALEDA.  We covered the Adapt phase in Episode 22. In this installment, we explore the Lead and Engage phases.  We have an interview with Lisa Rice, a former Workforce Director turned leadership consultant. Lisa offers perspectives on three qualities of a leader in disaster recovery, and advice for those new to skills-based recovery systems.  Mike Longo, a workforce director in the certified Work Ready Community of Lorain County, Ohio.  Through the OhioMeansJobs centers, Mike’s team deployed the Make Your Lay Off Pay Off initiative.  Mike shares lessons learned from the last economic downturn, and how they reformed training and quality standards in their deployment.   Guests and Contributors Lisa Rice, Every Strength Counts Mike Longo, Lorain County Workforce Agency and OhioMeansJobs Center Ed Morrison, Agile Strategy Lab and co-author of Strategic Doing Resources Sign up for the ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and Resiliency Every Strength Counts Leadership Development, Consulting, Peer Engagement Lorain County OhioMeansJobs ACT Case Study on Ohio Re-Employment Success in Lorain County/Northern Ohio ACT Case Study on Ohio Statewide Re-Employment Success Episode 22: Adapt Phase of ALEDA Framework (Part 1 of 3) Episode 24: Deploy and Analyze Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 3 of 3) Episode 4: Getting Strategic About Doing Agile Strategy Lab ACT Workforce Newsletter ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ready for Work episode 22 is the first of three on the ALEDA Framework using Skills-Based Hiring for Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency. The five-part framework is Adapt, Lead, Engage, Deploy, and Analyze. We focus this episode on the Adapt phase in Data, Skills, and Systems. The Adapt phase helps us re-position traditional disaster recovery models to meet the needs of your local economy. We must adapt our local data to be current and actionable in order to address each issue organically. Skills for the jobs that remain or return often change dramatically based on the pivots employers make to adapt to their new market realities. Disaster recovery often requires unbundling of your current services to create the flexibility needed to convert options for remote access and other safety protocols.   Guests and Contributors Mary LeFebvre, ACT Governmental Affairs Eric Canada, Blane-Canada Ltd. Chris Manheim, Manheim Solutions and Certified WorkKeys Profiler Virginia Hamiliton, WorkforceGPS Sean McCoy, Public Consulting Group Resources Sign up for ACT Toolkits on Skills-Based Hiring for Recovery and Resiliency BRE Covid Response Network from Blane Canada Ltd ACT WorkKeys JobPro Database (for probing skill levels by job title) Customer-Centered Design Community of Practice from WorkforceGPS WorkforceGPS Pathway to Recovery Resources Contact Risk Database for Return to Work Planning Episode 23: Lead and Engage Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 2 of 3) Episode 24: Deploy and Analyze Phases of ALEDA Framework (Part 3 of 3) ACT Workforce Newsletter ACT Workforce Solutions ACT Work Ready Communities See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a pandemic impacts communities everywhere, regional workforce ecosystems must implement reemployment strategies to become more adaptable. Hear stories of resilience happening real-time. Join the Conversation Will Coppage: Twitter Washington County Economic Alliance: Twitter Mary LeFebvre Twitter: Twitter  LinkedIn First Tennessee Development District: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Jasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedIn Resources Request the Toolkits on Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency or Proposal Development Resilient Workforce Ecosystems Webinar ACT COVID-19 Resource Page  Work Ready Communities COVID-19 Resource Page ACT Workforce Newsletter Signup ACT Workforce Summit ACT Work Ready Communities   ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bronwyn Robertson shares how Mississippi Community College Board’s Smart Start adult education equips adult learners with workforce credentials (including the WorkKeys NCRC) and ultimately them for success. What more can adult education programs be doing to prepare participants for career success? As the job market continues to evolve, more and more learners rely on these programs to educate them on financial literacy, career awareness skills, class management systems, sector strategies, and countless other workforce-related topics. Smart Start, a program of the Office of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College Board, is taking the initiative by equipping its participants with vital career readiness skills and credentials. Smart Start Project Specialist Bronwyn Robertson is hopeful that this program will continue to close the gap between worker supply and demand. Founded upon ACT® WorkKeys® Curriculum, Smart Start is a 45-hour intensive course that teaches participants how to apply their specialized skills beyond high school. Students also have the opportunity to earn their ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®). Robertson and her team agree that earning these credentials is critical—particularly for those 350,000 Mississippi residents who do not have their high school diploma. “The Smart Start program through the Office of Adult Education is a career pathway,” shares Robertson. “At the end of the day, we are all trying to provide every Mississippian the opportunity to secure employment.” With over 6,200 Smart Start credentials offered since 2016, it’s clear that Mississippi’s adult education initiative has made a lasting impact on the success of its participants. Tune in to Episode 20 and hear more about how Mississippi’s Smart Start plan is empowering current and future jobseekers. Join the Conversation Skill UP Mississippi: Facebook and Twitter Mississippi Community College Board: Twitter Jasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedIn Resources Implementation of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum in Adult Education Presentation from ACT Workforce Summit Office of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College Board ACT® WorkKeys® Curriculum ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Summit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Missouri Department of Corrections’ reentry program is equipping returning citizens with career credentials, barrier removal supports, and the WorkKeys NCRC. Reentry Coordinator Shelly Jacobs joins us to share the impact on their workforce. As employers across the nation are expanding their outreach efforts in search of a dedicated workforce, the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) has developed new ways to prepare returning citizens for steady employment upon release. Since implementing the reentry program two years ago, Missouri’s prison population has decreased by 7,000 individuals—a shift that Shelly Jacobs, a reentry coordinator with the Missouri DOC, believes is an encouraging sign for the future.    With approximately 19,000 men and women released from prison each year in the state of Missouri, reentry programs are vital to building up credentials and reinforcing basic skills. Administering ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments and giving them the chance to earn their ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®), says Jacobs, is the best way to represent the prison population as a viable workforce opportunity.   “These men and women have got the skills,” Jacobs shares. “They just need that second chance. So the NCRC is proof to these employers that these people do have basic skills that, really, can be valuable in any position, regardless of the position.”  Join us as we learn more about the exciting ways that prison reentry programs are changing today’s economic landscape, and how Missouri’s prison population may yet be the next professional development network.   Join the Conversation Missouri Department of Corrections: Twitter and Facebook Jasen Jones Twitter:  @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedIn Resources Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) ACT Work Ready Communities   ACT Workforce Solutions  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Work Ready Communities (WRC) from ACT is a framework for community-based workforce development to drive economic growth. Regions improve their workforce and compete on quality for location consultants, investors, and other decision-makers using data powered by the WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate. Episode 18 of the Ready for Work podcast showcased Site Selection Magazine’s annual State of the States reports and the Regional Workforce Development Climate rankings. The WRC website has a helpful article on economic development as well. Why does an organization invest millions of dollars in one area versus an another? It very well may come down to the area’s workforce. A lot of factors go into choosing a site, and a smart, skilled workforce is right at the top of the list. That’s why Site Selection magazine delivers relevant data/information on the topic for over 44,000 readers, including corporate executives, site selection consultants, and real estate professionals. According to Mark Arend, Editor in Chief of Site Selection, it’s one thing to say, “We have a terrific workforce.” It’s another thing to prove it—and by publishing unbiased data, that’s what Site Selection does. On this episode, we cover: An overview of the site selection process Purpose of the publication’s popular State of the States report The role of the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) as the indicator of workforce quality at a location Economic development impacts us all—in urban and rural areas across America. Listen as Mark Arend discusses more about this topic, along with some of the challenges he sees ahead. Join the Conversation Mark Arend: LinkedIn Site Selection Magazine: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook Jasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResources Site Selection Magazine: State of the States Site Selection Magazine: Regional Workforce Rankings Economic Development in Work Ready Communities ACT WorkKeys® ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Career readiness is a hot topic these days. An updated report from ACT has a wealth of data on the subject that you won’t find anywhere else.   For career navigation, or for counselors, students, or folks looking for a job change, The Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States 2019 report—and this podcast—will provide some great insight.  You can take a look at the report here.   The updated report looks at the progress of the ACT®-tested 2019 U.S. high school graduating class relative to college and career readiness. Specifically, the report includes data tables broken out for all 16 Career Technical Education Career Clusters. More than numbers and figures, the report offers some method behind the madness of trying to figure out what different types of career readiness could mean for different individuals and use cases.   Join the Conversation Mary LeFebvre: @MaryLeFebruary Mary LeFebvre: LinkedIn Jeffrey Steedle: LinkedIn Jasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResources The Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States 2019 research report Presentation at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PowerPoint) What’s Important for Success in Future Jobs? (Press Release) ACT Research ACT WorkKeys ACT Workforce Summit ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rural America is facing some incredible challenges. When rural students graduate high school many of them move away to urban areas. The up-and-coming generation tends to overlook their opportunities in rural areas. This hurts the economy of local communities, including those in Southwest Tennessee. The Southwest Tennessee Rural Workforce Readiness Collaborative is working to reverse this problem. By building a comprehensive approach to help bridge the skills gap, they’re beginning to show students the opportunities around them for meaningful employment in great-paying careers—like manufacturing and construction—and then providing the path. In order to strengthen the workforce across four rural counties, the collaborative pursued—and received—a first-of-its-kind $250,000 grant from the USDA. It will likely serve as a national model for similar programs across the nation seeking to build on the success of ACT® Work Ready Communities and generate investment in the talent pipeline. On this episode of Ready for Work, we’re joined by Joe T. Wood and Jim Tracy. They discuss the importance of workforce development in rural areas, the technology that the USDA’s grant is making possible, the implementation of ACT programs, and what’s happening next. Join the Conversation Jim Tracy Twitter: @JimTracy Joe T. Wood LinkedIn: Joe T Wood Jasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT Workforce Solutions: LinkedInResources Presentation from Joe T. Wood and Jim Tracy at ACT Workforce Summit USDA Rural Development grant to Tennessee Board of Regents will assist workforce readiness in Chester, Decatur, Henderson & Perry counties Tennessee School Board Association Career Cluster Dashboard USDA Rural Community Development Initiative ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®) ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Josh Davies, CEO of the Center for Work Ethic Development is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. We were fortunate to have Josh deliver one of the FRED Talks as well as a breakout session at the recent ACT Workforce Summit. By using employer-based research, defining the seven behaviors of work ethic, and innovative teaching, participants discover how to make lasting behavior change. On episode 15 of Ready for Work, we feature Josh’s FRED Talk with trends in social-emotional learning and some insights on millennials and generational decline that may surprise you. Join the Conversation Josh Davies Twitter: @ResultsDriver Center for Work Ethic Development: @WorkEthicCenter Center for Work Ethic Development: Facebook Jasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones ACT Twitter: @act ACT LinkedIn: ACT Workforce SolutionsResources FRED Talk at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PowerPoint) The Center for Work Ethic Development ACT Tessera® Workforce ACT Workforce Summit ACT Work Ready Communities ACT Workforce Solutions See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why are so many well-educated and well-supported American youths struggling to make successful transitions to adult life? It’s an important question and the first that Hans Meeder asks on Episode 14 of our Ready for Work podcast, which was recorded at our recent ACT Workforce Summit. Hans works at the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T), which he founded in 2012. His organization believes in a simple concept: every young American should have a dream and a plan. The problem? Millions of students don’t. Hans argues that the missing piece is Career Connected Learning, which is defined as a range of activities that help students connect learning to the real world to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset they’ll need to successfully enter the world of work, careers, and community life. This concept isn’t only for some students. It’s for all students. The harsh reality is that so many students—regardless of location or demographic—are struggling to make the transition to adult life, even with a great high school education. Hans also discusses elements of Career Connected Learning that are often overlooked, including hands-on learning and career navigation skills. Listen as Hans provides his passionate insight on the successful profile of a career and life-ready graduate, how the design of a career development model engages students, families, and community members, and much more. Join the Conversation Hans Meeder Twitter: @HansMeeder Hans Meeder LinkedIn Jasen Jones Twitter: @JasenCJones  Jasen Jones LinkedIn  ACT Twitter: @act  ACT LinkedIn: ACT Workforce Solutions Resources How American Communities Can Embrace Career Connected Learning for All Students presentation at 2019 ACT Workforce Summit (PPTX) National Center for College & Career Transitions ACT Workforce Summit ACT® Work Ready Communities  ACT® Workforce Solutions  NC3T Career-Connected Learning (PDF) NC3T CareerSmart-Classrooms (PDF) NC3T Pathways Services (PDF) NC3T Seamless Work Based Learning (PDF) More Ready for Work podcast episodes on career development: Manufacturing Career Pathways Creating Interactive Career Maps Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Credentialing and Competency as Currency See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.