This week we are excited to have Laura Ostrowski, Adult Education Program Specialist with the Maryland Department of Labor, share some promising practices around postsecondary transition that Maryland has identified.
Rena Burkowsky, Assistant Director, English Language Learning and Adult Education, Anne Arundel Community College, will be joining in the conversation, as well.
We hope that LINCS community members will add comments and ask questions all week long. In addition to reading what Laura and Rena share, check out Maryland's Benchmarks to Success Newsletter. Issue 40 from October 2022 highlights a success story about a young man who completed a 9-week training Warehouse Associate training course offered through an innovative partnership between DORS’ Workforce & Technology Center, the Community College of Baltimore County, and Sephora. Issue 41 from December 2022 highlights apprenticeship work, and additional issues can be found here.
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As with springtime, promising practices in post-secondary transitions are in full bloom in adult education programs in Maryland! From strategic partnerships that create pathways to in-demand professional certifications through Integrated Education and Training (IET) to leveraging the aid of success coaches to ensure supported learner engagement, Maryland is proud to serve its adult learners!
This week, we are pleased to showcase the hard work and dedication of the adult education program at Anne Arundel Community College, whose main campus is located in Arnold, Maryland. Rena Burkowsky, Assistant Director of English Language Learning and Adult Education at Anne Arundel Community College, is no stranger to setting the tone for adult learner success and achievement in post-secondary pursuits. Since Spring 2018, alongside her team, including Success Coach, Hannah Hollamon, Rena has coordinated outcomes-based cohorts of learners engaged in healthcare career tracks of Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education, Integrated Education and Training (IELCE/IET). In collaboration with AACC Apprenticeship & Applied Learning Department, Adult Education at Anne Arundel Community College has afforded many individuals with the opportunities to take their careers to the next level in fields like Dental Assisting/Radiology and Central Sterile Processing. We look forward to sharing how Rena employs promising practices at AACC to connect adult learners with training and local employment opportunities and to help them to reach the next level of their career advancement potential!
For English language learners, many with diplomas, degrees, and certificates from their home countries, transferring these skills, educational credentials, and experiences to industries in new and unfamiliar geographical areas can be a daunting task. Providing IELCE/IET tracks in Allied Health, Anne Arundel Community College prepares and informs adult learners to grow and flourish within the fastest growing occupations in Maryland. AACC cultivates critical communication channels within their community college and alongside employers within their workforce area. Their program design for each IELCE/IET career pathway includes weekly planning and alignment time for adult education and training instructors within the college to discuss shared objectives for weekly lesson plans and to inform and adapt activities based on the needs of individual students. As a result, AACC has run successful IET cohorts in Dental Assisting in Radiology, CNA/GNA, Central Sterile Processing, Pre-apprenticeship Electrical, and Diesel Technician!
Strategic outreach and clear communication are essential pieces to establishing expectations within the adult learning community. Want to learn more about promising practices for information sessions and enrollment in IELCE/IET career pathways for English Language Learners at Anne Arundel Community College? See the attached flyers!
Central Sterile Processing [Flyer]
Dental Assisting & Radiology [Flyer]
Is Central Sterile Processing a hard program to sell to the students? I imagine a lot of students understand what a CNA or Dental Assistant is, but this one might be more confusing. What are the info sessions on this career like?
Hi Doug, great question! Says Rena, "The challenge with all of our IET’s is finding students who can commit to the relatively intense schedule. As part of the orientation, students watch a video of an expert in the field performing their routine duties and responsibilities. CSP is appealing to people who are interested in the medical field but do not necessarily want to be involved in direct, hands-on patient care. After completion of the program, students can apply for job opportunities in different settings. If employed in a hospital setting, there are more opportunities for growth and increased wages."
These flyers are beautiful! Thank you for sharing and for giving me some food for thought. Our program offers some fantastic IET's but we may not do enough to promote them. Great idea to include a QR code so that the information is easily accessible for potential students. Are students in your IET's required to participate in an IELCE activity before taking the IET?
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has dedicated Student Success Coaches (SSC) who work with students enrolled in training programs. For our Adult Education/English Language Learning IET’s, the SSC is involved in all phases including: recruitment/information sessions, participant selection, orientation, and ongoing support throughout the duration of the program and follow up after completion.
As AACC students, program participants are eligible to access college resources and support services that can help them address barriers to successful completion. These include: short-term financial aid for critical expenses (child care, food, medical, textbooks and transportation); mental (personal counseling) and physical health services, short term loan of a laptop, food pantry, disability support services and tutoring. The SSC helps participants navigate the college system to locate appropriate support services.
A Workforce Success Skills course is embedded in all training programs to prepare participants to enter the workforce upon program completion. The SSC helps reinforce skills taught by participating in mock interviews, resume review, and guidance during the job search.
We have found that program participants greatly benefit from the collaboration of instructors, staff, and the SSC working together to help meet their needs.
To view the breadth of services provided by HelpLink, Anne Arundel Community College's emergency grant for limited, temporary aid for currently enrolled students, please visit https://www.aacc.edu/resources/health-and-personal-counseling/emergency-support/ !
It's great that AACC provides so many resources and support services to help students address barriers. Does AACC follow their students after they obtain the industry credential and enter the workforce?
Thank you for your question, Betsy! From Rena: "Betsy: Yes, the Student Success Coach (SSC) continues to work with students after program completion. Some students may not have passed certification exams during the program and the SSC follows up to encourage them to retake the exam. The SSC is also supportive during the job seeking process and can provide guidance for completing applications, resume review and practice interviews. Once students have obtained employment, there is not active follow up; however, some students do check in with staff to provide updates."
Unique personal journeys of skill development and career advancement display the immeasurable value of IETs. Technical training required for industry certification complemented by a contextualized IELCE course designed for multilingual students enhance their proficiency in occupational terminology and concepts. Workforce Success Skills classes prepare learners for the job application and interview process in the United States, particularly within the healthcare industry. Together, these three courses provide students with the skills and resources they need to be successful healthcare professionals. Upon completion of the training program, certification exams, and required field experience, students are prepared to start their family-supporting careers in Allied Health.
Huma Amiri, who completed the English Language Learning and Central Sterile Processing Programs at Anne Arundel Community College, speaks about her experiences:
IT was great to have Laura (from Maryland) share ideas around helping adult learners transition to postsecondary education and training. Thank you to all the group members that got involved with the conversation as well. Please continue to use this discussion thread to add additional ideas, resources, and questions as they arise.
Chrissie