PY2018 State Plan ModificationSECTION III(a)(2)(H)

Credentials

(III). Operational Planning Elements

(a). State Strategy Implementation

(2). Implementation of State Strategy

(H). Improving Access to Postsecondary Credentials

This section describes how the State’s strategies will improve access to activities leading to recognized postsecondary credentials, including Registered Apprenticeship certificates. This includes credentials that are industry-recognized certificates, licenses or certifications, and that are portable and stackable.

Three of the strategies described in Section (II)(c)(1) and (II)(c)(2) of this plan will directly enhance access to post-secondary education and credentials: (1) develop career pathways aligned with target sector industries, (2) integrate adult basic skills and English language instruction with occupational/technical training to facilitate entry of students to post-secondary education and training programs, and (3) expand options for service delivery in rural areas.

Items one and two in the above paragraph are closely related, in that a complete and effective career pathway will include multiple entry-points, including Registered Apprenticeship opportunities and certificates, for students of all skill levels, and promote a “no wrong door” approach to education and training. Item three above will help post-secondary institutions improve access to their programs and classes, including those supporting Registered Apprenticeships, for historically underserved populations in rural communities by promoting models such as the “CPTE Digital” model mentioned in Part (F) above.

As outlined in Section (II)(c)(1), the State’s strategy for implementing well-aligned career pathways will rely heavily on efforts already underway at the IdahoDivision of Professional-Career &Technical Education (ICTE). These efforts include alignment of articulation between secondary and post-secondary technical programs across the state, including pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship training opportunities, as well as the development of SkillStack®, ICTEthe Division’s micro-certification platform. Information about these projects is reiterated below, for ease of reference:

The DivisionICTE oversees approximately 640 718[ASM1] secondary career-and-technical education programs in Idaho’s high schools, and the technical colleges housed within Idaho’s public higher education institutions. Currently, each secondary program maintains an individual articulation agreement with one of Idaho’s post-secondary institutions. The DivisionICTE is spearheading an effort to first align program learning outcomes across postsecondary institutions, and then align the secondary programs to those learning outcomes. Once the process is complete, a statewide articulation will be in place, allowing secondary students to articulate seamlessly into any Idaho institution that offers their program of study.

To support the statewide articulation framework, the DivisionICTE has developed Idaho SkillStack®- a micro certification/badging platform that communicates the competencies/skills that Idaho high school and postsecondary students demonstrate. The micro certifications/badges are stacked towards the award of postsecondary credit (i.e. once a student earns predefined badges, by demonstrating competency, they are eligible to convert the badges to credit), industry certifications and common skills required by Idaho employers for job openings. These badges provide visual progress towards an individual’s career goals."

“Team Idaho”, a statewide partnership of the Idaho Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Division ofIdahoProfessional-Career & Technical Education, and the college’s Workforce Training Centers, is bringing a focus on integrated, rather than siloed, business outreach and assistance, ensuring identification and development of career pathways and industry-recognized credentials as each new Registered Apprenticeship is developed[MEM2].

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[ASM1]2017 (update)

[MEM2]Consider expanding to IDVR as we are apparently involved in Team Idaho now. I am not sure to what extent,