3. SMART START PATHWAY The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), adult education and literacy activities (WIOA, Title II) are designed to integrate with career development and employment and training activities. Mississippi’s Adult Education program provides career pathways programs, integrated education and training, and basic skills needed for college and career readiness (not simply high school equivalency). The main focus of the Mississippi WIOA Combined State Plan is to improve the economic opportunities of all job seekers, especially those with low skills. Mississippi has developed a career pathway model that provides different on- and off- ramps for job seekers with different needs. Adult education services play the key role in establishing and conducting the Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model. This pathway consists of intensive career development, necessary skills assessment, and basic skills development. Career enrichment activities will be geared toward in-demand, middle-skill occupations. The Office of Adult Education (OAE) in collaboration with the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) established the Smart Start Pathway curriculum and pathway exit criteria that include certain assessment score levels. The Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model includes six steps designed to synchronize activities within and between Combined Plan Partners. The model may be described procedurally as follows: MISSISSIPPI WORKS SMART START CAREER PATHWAY MODEL 1. Point of Entry - Combined Plan Partner intake and enrollment. 2. Workforce Assessment - Intake Partner or Local Provider coordinates pathway determination. 3. Pathway Activities - either Smart Class, Career Tech, or Work-Ready Pathway activities. 4. Workforce Reassessment - One-Stop Operator or Youth Provider assesses and sends participant to additional pathways or determines exit strategy. 5. Exit Strategy - either postsecondary degree program or transitional employment (OJT, Internship, Apprenticeship, or Work Experience). 6. Unsubsidized Employment - the end goal of the model, gainful employment. Step 1: Point of Entry - All participants will enter the Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model through a Combined Plan Partner’s intake. For example, a participant may visit a local Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) office and begin speaking with a staff member about the TANF program. Combined Plan Partners perform intake procedures to collect two types of information: (1) basic registration information used to determine program-specific
3. SMART START PATHWAY The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), adult education and literacy activities (WIOA, Title II) are designed to integrate with career development and employment and training activities. Mississippi’s Adult Education program provides career pathways programs, integrated education and training, and basic skills needed for college and career readiness (not simply high school equivalency). The main focus of the Mississippi WIOA Combined State Plan is to improve the economic opportunities of all job seekers, especially those with low skills. Mississippi has developed a career pathway model that provides different on- and off- ramps for job seekers with different needs. Adult education services play the key role in establishing and conducting the Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model. This pathway consists of intensive career development, necessary skills assessment, and basic skills development. Career enrichment activities will be geared toward in-demand, middle-skill occupations. The Office of Adult Education (OAE) in collaboration with the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) established the Smart Start Pathway curriculum and pathway exit criteria that include certain assessment score levels. The Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model includes six steps designed to synchronize activities within and between Combined Plan Partners. The model may be described procedurally as follows: MISSISSIPPI WORKS SMART START CAREER PATHWAY MODEL 1. Point of Entry - Combined Plan Partner intake and enrollment. 2. Workforce Assessment - Intake Partner or Local Provider coordinates pathway determination. 3. Pathway Activities - either Smart Class, Career Tech, or Work-Ready Pathway activities. 4. Workforce Reassessment - One-Stop Operator or Youth Provider assesses and sends participant to additional pathways or determines exit strategy. 5. Exit Strategy - either postsecondary degree program or transitional employment (OJT, Internship, Apprenticeship, or Work Experience). 6. Unsubsidized Employment - the end goal of the model, gainful employment. Step 1: Point of Entry - All participants will enter the Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model through a Combined Plan Partner’s intake. For example, a participant may visit a local Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) office and begin speaking with a staff member about the TANF program. Combined Plan Partners perform intake procedures to collect two types of information: (1) basic registration information used to determine program-specific
SmartStartPathway.docx