1 Focusing on the soft skills gap and contributing to a better prepared workforce
2 THE CHALLENGE Employers express strong concerns over not being able to find employees qualified to fill openings and succeed in their organizations. The consensus among employers is that today’s entering work force is ill-equipped and unprepared to meet employer needs, including graduates produced by the four-year colleges and universities. According to the 2012 Rutgers University Survey, many college graduates themselves feel insecure about how prepared they are for entering the labor market (Stone, Van Horn, & Zukin, 2012). According to the American Association of Community College Trustees, many students with liberal arts degrees are enrolled in community colleges to acquire the in-demand skills of the 21st century workplace. Others continue with higher education and earn advanced graduate degrees in hopes of expanding their options even though in many liberal arts fields, an advanced degree does not appreciably enhance job prospects. While isolated efforts show promise of preparing their students with practical training, large numbers of college students and recent graduates are left with unmet needs. The sweeping implications of this trend are troubling: with graduation from college no longer considered a sufficient condition for a successful entry into the current job market, more and more college graduates, without the right mix and type of knowledge and skills, are at risk of giving up on their career aspirations before realizing their full potential thus jeopardizing future national prosperity. The role of the 21st century employee is demanding, and yet it can be exciting and rewarding only if preparation for it is offered through relevant and effective training and workplace learning. It is no longer enough for the new hires to be just motivated and show potential until they are informally trained on the job or go through corporate training programs. Hiring managers want jobs to be filled by candidates who can do the work immediately and produce results. With employers less willing to invest in new recruits and cutting employee training budgets, how are individuals entering the job market for the first time expected to demonstrate that they have the competencies to hit the ground running from the first day they are hired? How can employers gain access to highly skilled employees they need for current and future job opportunities?
3 THE GOAL The overall goal of the proposed program is for participants to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes in practical management, as it applies to today’s workplace, including business management (i.e., understanding of basic business concepts and tools), people management, change management and self-management. Working with practitioners and employers from a variety of industries in both public and private sectors, we have identified the following most sought-after applied skills in practical management as critical for success in all careers. Business Communication Business Tools Basics of Management Communication Skills Project Management Skills Leadership and Management skills Interpersonal Skills Financial Literacy Skills Change Management skills Conflict resolution Skills Teamwork Skills Creative Problem-Solving Skills Negotiation Skills Time Management Skills Facilitation Skills Presentation Skills Professional Etiquette
4 THE OBJECTIVE The program has been designed with the following general and area-specific objectives: General Develop participants’ self-assessment abilities so they can be proactive in bridging the gap between the skills they have and the ones they need for career success in whatever field they may choose to pursue Provide a comprehensive capstone experience to give participants an opportunity to integrate and demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and connect the Career Success Program courses taken to their individual and organizational context and needs. Business Communication Heighten participants’ awareness of workplace communication, and equip them with new interpersonal skills so they can become more competent communicators overall. Equip participants to improve their business writing skills by learning to select and use appropriate formats for the intended audience, use the correct medium and adjust writing style accordingly. Enable participants to explore how current approaches to negotiation strategy and tactics are used. Business Tools Equip participants with general financial knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the impact of financial-based decisions outside a specific functional area. Prepare participants to demonstrate facility with time management through setting targets and action plans, and following plans to meet targets Practical Management Enable participants to acquire an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts and theories of management while exploring the manager's operational role in all types of organizations. Enable participants to gain confidence in assessing problems accurately, evaluating alternative solutions, and anticipating likely risks. Enable participants to demonstrate an understanding of decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts
5 IVC INVOLVEMENT & TARGET AUDIENCEIn collaboration with the University of California, Irvine, Extension (UCI Extension) and Irvine Chamber of Commerce, IVC was selected as the best place to focus on this community/diverse audience. We will be selecting no more than 30 students in the first cohort. Selection will be geared toward those students closest to workforce entry via: Transfer Center Career Center Veteran’s Center International Students Adults with Disabilities Program *Recruiting Information Sessions from each office (Veterans, Career, Transfer, International); Business Schools will be created to attract student enrollment. We will work with the Irvine Chamber/UCI Extension to clarify criteria for selection should interest exceed the 30 exclusive slots open
6 THE PROCESS Participate in an online Coursera course under the auspices of UCI Extension with focus on soft skills, which will be open for one month The projected start date is March 1, 2016. A registration process will be formed The cost of the online course for certification is $ The Chamber will “scholarship” up to $15.00 of the course for each student. The remaining student cost, $600, will be funded by IVC on the President’s foundation account. The President’s foundation account will also support marketing for the program with an allotted $200 marketing budget. Marketing flyers will be created, displayed and distributed around the IVC campus. Flyers to highlight UCI involvement, Specified Business Partnerships and Certification of Competition The Chamber will provide (an awesome) practical applications process at the end of the course featuring CEO’s, COO’s and high level business leaders to engage in the students’ projects and evaluate their understanding and use of the soft skills they have learned. A special IVC online community will be created so participants can interact; UCI Extension will provide scheduled facilitation opportunities during the month to optimize the experience. Possible Blackboard discussion sessions for students to interact. Completers will be eligible for an opportunity to have lunch with a CEO, attend a job shadowing site, participate in one the Chambers’ business roundtables and other opportunities to interface with potential employers and the business community leadership. Specific companies and names of participating businesses will be provided by the Chamber.
7 Career Edge 1, 2, 3 Register for Career Edge at Complete the UCI Extension Online Coursera Course Work – Business Writing by March 31, 2016 Attend and participate in the Irvine Chamber’s “Business World” Workshop featuring Irvine company executives who will evaluate, coach and work with students to “test” and polish their writing skills. Saturday, April 16, :30 – 11:30 a.m McCabe Way, Suite 150, Irvine, CA. Career Edge Bonus: In addition to improving and market testing your writing skills, all participating students will meet and work with area employers during the Workshop and three participating students who complete the Course and the Workshop will be selected to breakfast or lunch with a business leader and potential employer! Likely C-Level Executives CONTRIBUTING THEIR TIME FOR BREAKFAST/LUNCH WITH WINNING PARTICIPANTS: Marv Sepe, COO, CTC Global Rich Pinnella, V.P. General Manager, Taco Bell International Cynthia Lenahan, V.P. Global Training, Edwards Lifesciences Marcus Hoffman, COO, Kaiser Permanente Bruce Greenberg, Partner and CTO, GDR Group Jeff Davis, V.P. The Irvine Company
8 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Communication in the 21st Century Workplace In today's fast-paced business environment, employees at all levels find themselves being asked to handle more tasks, meet more deadlines, take on more responsibilities, and adapt to more change. Added to these challenges is the constantly shifting diversity of the workplace, where coworkers cope with generational, gender, age and cultural differences. Communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is at the foundation of everything we do and say, and is especially important in the 21st century workplace. The good news is that communication is a learned skill, and can be improved upon with the right training. The focus of this course is to heighten students’ awareness of workplace communication, and add new interpersonal skills, with the end result of becoming a more competent communicator overall. Target areas include: the process and functions of communication, behavioral patterns, perceptions as reality, verbal and nonverbal cues and behaviors, confidence, assertiveness, tact, anger management, criticism and constructive feedback, conflict resolution, team building, leadership, interviewing, and communicating more effectively with technology ( , Skype, texting, etc.). High-Impact Business Writing Effective writing is a powerful tool in the business environment. Learn how to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will allow your ideas to be better understood by your readers. Improve your business writing skill by learning to select and use appropriate formats for your audience, use the correct medium and adjust your writing style accordingly, as well as identify your objective and communicate it clearly. You'll also learn to spot, correct and avoid the most common writing pitfalls, and gain valuable experience analyzing, writing and revising a wide spectrum of business documents. From a simple interoffice memo to a twenty-page business proposal, learn how to put good business writing to work for you.
9 Project Management: The Basics for Success This course combines the essential elements of Project Management and Team Leadership into one course. The Team Leadership aspect provides participants with the opportunity to enhance their personal understanding of team leadership through the study of various theories, concepts and class exercises. It also defines each team member’s role with primary emphasis on the competencies and skills required to be an effective project leader. This course provides participants with the tools and techniques for developing and sustaining high performance teams. Through class engagement and reflection, participants will acquire further understanding of the responsibilities of leadership and become better prepared to apply this knowledge to the project environment. The Project Management aspect provides participants with effective methods for assuring projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and achieve the project’s objectives. This course will provide participants with a solid foundation for initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project. Team exercises, case studies, and class presentations are used to demonstrate and apply the project management concepts taught in the course. The Art of Negotiation The art of negotiation comes into play daily in the life of employees at all levels and in every position. Participants explore how current approaches to negotiation strategy and tactics are used, what negotiation entails, types of negotiation relationships that exist from hard bargain to win-win, to fully partnered relationships and personal ones. The course explores the personal and behavioral characteristics of an effective negotiator. Participants discuss how empowerment, power, and authority affect the negotiation process and outcome. Topics include how important it is to plan and prepare for a negotiation session. Working Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management Training for Personal and Professional Productivity Participants will be able to gain and apply their knowledge and understanding of personal and professional awareness, organization and commitment and use the tools, methods and techniques that they have learned in goal setting, prioritization, scheduling, and delegation to overcome time management challenges and enhance productivity.
10 Finance for Non-Financial People Impact your financial decisions and learn how to affect the performance of your unit's profitability and of your organization. In this course gain a basic understanding of finance and accounting concepts to drive your organization's growth. Upon completion of this course, you will have gained general financial knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the impact of your decisions outside your functional area. Content of the course includes selected aspects of finance from a non-financial specialist perspective. Specific topics include: financial analysis; planning, forecasting, and budgeting; cash flow, and strategic financing. This class will be interactive and will require the active involvement of the participants in finance related activities. Fundamentals of Management Are you about to enter the workforce? Are you an emerging professional? Are you new to your role in the organization? All prospective new employees benefit from understanding management principles, roles and responsibilities, regardless of position. Now you can acquire an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts and theories of management while exploring the manager's operational role in all types of organizations. Gain insight into the manager's responsibility in planning, organizing, leading, staffing and controlling within the workplace. It’s never too soon to plan your professional path by learning how the best managers manage for success!
11 Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-MakingCritical thinking – the application of scientific methods and logical reasoning to problems and decisions – is the foundation of effective problem solving and decision making. Critical thinking enables us to avoid common obstacles, test our beliefs and assumptions, and correct distortions in our thought processes. Gain confidence in assessing problems accurately, evaluating alternative solutions, and anticipating likely risks. Learn how to use analysis, synthesis, and positive inquiry to address individual and organizational problems and develop the critical thinking skills needed in today’s turbulent times. Using case studies and situations encountered by class members, explore successful models and proven methods that are readily transferable on-the-job. Essentials of Entrepreneurship: Thinking & Action Success in business can be greatly enhanced with an understanding of key entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies solutions. This interactive course provides potential entrepreneurs with the knowledge of succeeding in an entrepreneurial opportunity. Topics include: how creativity, opportunity and feasibility are best evaluated; business strategies for new businesses; importance of a business plan; achieving success in a new business. Team projects create an experience in developing an entrepreneurial business. At the end of the course students will have the skills and confidence to evaluate starting a business, in addition to becoming more enterprising in how they approach their roles should they decide to work in organizations. Capstone Experience The capstone activity will give participants an opportunity to integrate and demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and connect the Career Success Program courses taken to their individual and organizational context and needs.