A Bridge To Nowhere???

Creating Bridge Programming in Outstate Minnesota

Carman MillsProgram Manger and Transitions Coordinator

SW ABE-Granite Falls Region

Sara KarboJob Counselor and FastTRAC Navigator

SW MN Private Industry Council

Bridge Program Definition

What is it?

Prepares adults with limited academic or limited English skills to enter and

succeed in post-secondary education and training leading to career-path

employment.

Bridge Program Goal

What is it?

Bridge the gap between the initial skills of individuals and what they need to enter and succeed in post-

secondary education and career path employment.

Starting Point

1. Create PartnershipsA. ABEB. MnSCUC. Workforce CouncilD. Community Based Organizations E. Employers

2. Choose a Career PathwayA. HealthcareB. ManufacturingC. Customer ServiceD. Any High Demand Career Area that is

pertinent to the region

Starting Point3. Develop Core Elements

A. Contextualized Instruction1. Reading2. Math3. Language Skills4. Industry/Occupation Knowledge

B. Career Development1. Career Exploration2. Career Planning within a Career Area3. Understand the World of Work

C. Transition Services1. Student Services2. Support Services3. Financial Services

Starting Point4. Determine Program Eligibility

A. Reading and Math Levels ?B. English Language Proficiency

Levels ?C. GED/Adult Diploma ?D. Incumbent Worker ?

5. Determine Program OptionsA. Single CourseB. Series of Courses

1. Contain Knowledge and Skills Common for Entry-Level Occupations within a Broad Cluster

2. Sufficient Duration and Intensity to Produce Transition Results

Starting Point

6. Determine OutcomesA. Short-TermB. Long-TermC. Student EvaluationsD. Program Evaluations

7. Determine RolesA. ABEB. MnSCUC. Workforce CounselorD. EmployerF. Outside Providers

Bridge Program Advantages

• Contextualized Academic Instruction • Delivered in an Accelerated Format• Higher Levels of Staff Support with

Students*Navigator

SW ABE Consortium

4 Regions•Granite Falls•Marshall•Worthington •Jackson

Minnesota West•Granite Falls•Canby•Jackson•Pipestone•Worthington

SW MN Private Industry Council•Montevideo•Marshall•Worthington

Career Pathways

Healthcare

Industrial Maintenance

SW ABE Bridge Program - 2011

• Program Eligibility– CASAS • Reading and Math• Score 230 or better on both tests

– Unemployed or Underemployed– High School Diploma or GED• Can be working towards completion

SW ABE Bridge Program - 2011

• Program Components– Computer Skills– Math Skills– Soft Skills – Career Defining Skills

Computer Skills

• Assessment• MIRC• Tutorials • Individualized

Math Skills

• Addition• Subtraction• Multiplication• Division• Fractions• Percents

• Time• Metric System• Ration• Proportion• Measurements• Ohm’s Law (IM)

Soft Skills• Skills

– Technical Skills– Soft Skills

• Determination / Hard Work– Goal Setting– Above and Beyond– Visioning

• Reliability– Overcome Distractions– Be Accountable– 100% Affect

• Experience– Look for Good

Opportunities– Always be Prepared– Know your Value/Worth

• Habits– Strengths/Weaknesses– Overcoming Potential

Roadblocks

Career Defining Skills• Career Exploration• Post-secondary Exploration• College Experience– Mindquest

• Career and Post-secondary Assessments• Resume Writing• Interviewing Skills

Lessons Learned - 2011• Math Skills Appropriate• Age of Student Depends on Computer Skills• More Rigorous• More College Preparation• Experience of Students Determines Skills

Taught• Deliverables Could be Held at Many Locations• Need Specific Outcomes

SW ABE Bridge Program 1 - 2012

• Eligibility for Bridge Program– CASAS Reading and Math – 221 - 230

• Eligibility for Integrated Program– CASAS Reading and Math – 230 or better

• Computer Skills– Score 80% or better on Computer Assessment

www.digitalliteracyassessment.org

– Score 79% or lower, computer skills training

www.digitalliteracyassessment.org

www.digitalliteracyassessment.org

• Learner Web – Medical Office Preparation– Complete 80% of plans with 80% passing on all

assignments/tests• Provide Additional Instruction for Students

Needing a GED• Provide Additional Instruction for Students

Needing Reading and Math Skills Brush-up

SW ABE Bridge Program 1 - 2012

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

• Math Skills for Healthcare Employees• Mindquest– D2L Experience– LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory)– Accuplacer – if CASAS Reading at 236 or better– My Foundations Lab

• Serve Safe Preparation– Read Book– Review Vocabulary

• Learner Web– Prepare to be a CNA– Integrated Medical

Terminology• Classroom Setting• Lab Setting• Individual Setting

• Soft Skills– Skills– Hard Work– Reliability– Experience– Habits/Personal

Attributes– Communication– Team Building– Problem Solving

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

• Career and Post-Secondary Exploration– Resume Writing– Job Search– Interviewing Skills– Admissions Process– Financial Aid

Information/FAFSA– Healthcare Programs

• Support Services– Gas Vouchers– SNAP Referral– Budgeting

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

• Assess learning style with LASSI diagnostic tool• Learn to navigate the Desire2Learn system• Familiarize themselves with job skills needed

to be a nursing assistant• Learn basic medical terminology

Student Outcomes

• Learn math skills pertinent to employment in the healthcare industry

• Create a resume for minnesotaworks.net and potential employers

• Create personal and employment goals

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

Student Outcomes

SW ABE Bridge Program 2 - 2012

• 80% Success/Completion Rate• CASAS Level Change• Move 15 students into Universal Healthcare

Worker class• Prepare students for independent study

Program Outcomes

What Type of Bridge Fits Your Program?

Questions?

Thank you for participating!

Carman MillsProgram Manager & Transitions Coordinator

SW ABE – Granite Falls Region & SW Regional Transitions Areacarman.mills@gmail.com320-269-9297, ext. 116

Sara KarboJob Counselor & FastTRAC Navigator

SW MN Private Industry Councilskarbo@swmnpic.org

507-537-6236