Preconference Sessions 

Workforce Development Institute 2010
January 27-30, 2010
St. Petersburg, FL

 PreCon #1  -- 9 a.m. to noon
Entrepreneurship for Economic Development in Rural America: Engage, Educate, and Watch the Tax Base Blossom

At a time when job creation challenges our need to be creative, community colleges have an opportunity to couple their basic business foundations with local innovations. In particular, rural colleges are exploring entrepreneurship for economic development as a way to grow and secure the future of their communities. This workshop is designed for colleges and their partners interested in jumpstarting an entrepreneurship program, as well as colleges that have existing programs and are ready to think outside the box. A compendium of resources for community colleges to implement and grow programs and centers and entrepreneurship resources for community colleges and partners will be distributed.

Presenters:

• Jen Worth, AACC Center for Workforce & Economic Development, Washington, DC
• Program leaders have been invited from Lamar Community College, CO; Kankakee Community College, IL; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, WI; Casper Community College, WY; and White Mountains Community College, NH

 PreCon #2 -- 9 a.m. to noon
WorkKeys and Community Colleges: A Partnership for Documenting Workplace Skills

ACT's WorkKeys system is currently being used in more than 30 states to document workplace skills and to award state or National Career Readiness Certificates. The certificates are based on assessments in three skill areas: reading for information, applied mathematics, and locating information. Community colleges have become valuable partners in this initiative by administering the WorkKeys assessments, profiling jobs, and, in some cases, issuing the credential. The workshop will provide an overview of the WorkKeys system, the National Career Readiness Certificates, and opportunities for community colleges to participate in this national movement.

Presenters:

• David Sweaney, Regional Manager, ACT/WorkKeys, Athens, GA
• Stephanie Deese, Director, Workforce Initiatives, North Carolina Community College System, Raleigh, NC

 PreCon #3 -- 1 to 4 p.m.
In This Together: Community College and WIB Partnerships

Community colleges and Workforce Investments Boards (WIB) find themselves at the center of one of the country's most pressing challenges—growing the economy and job market. To successfully solve this challenge, community colleges and WIBs will have to accelerate and further catalyze their partnerships to help identify and define regional growth opportunities; align resources and services to best meet the needs of students, workers, and employers; jointly advocate for changes necessary to improve systems; and leverage and find new sources of funding to expand and improve. This workshop will provide examples of successful partnerships, explore the barriers to building and maintaining strong collaboration, and present frameworks and guidelines for creating strong innovative alliances.

Presenters:

• Kathryn Mannes, AACC Center for Workforce & Economic Development, Washington, DC
• Scott Cheney, Principal, PAROS Group, Washington, DC

 PreCon #4 -- 1 to 4 p.m.
Federal Grants: Show Me the Money

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) presents many new funding opportunities for our colleges and our students. Along with these funding opportunities come new grants management requirements and accountabilities. Learn about finding federal grant money, assessing the right fit for your project and college, grant requirements, and components for a successful project. Strategies for successful partnerships, model community programs, and specific ARRA reporting requirements will be discussed.

Presenters:

• Joan Suchorski, Vice President for Development, Grants and Projects, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL
• Angela Pate, Esecutive Director, Florida Works, Gainesville, FL

 FLI/WDI Seminar at WDI 2010
Future Leaders Institute: On the Path From Workforce Training to Higher Leadership
Tuesday, January 26 & Wednesday, January 27 -- 2 p.m. Tues to 5 p.m. Wed
Cost: $350

FLI/WDI is an intensive one and a half day seminar designed for workforce training and continuing education professionals looking to move into a higher level of leadership. Planned and facilitated by seasoned community college administrators and experts, this institute will offer practical lessons and scenarios as well as the opportunity to network with the nation's rising community college leaders.

Topic areas will include:

• Leadership roles and pathways for the workforce training and continuing education professional
• Connecting and working with the academic side of house
• Developing and maintaining strong community partnerships
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Service and Sustainability

Other benefits:

Registrants will be offered the chance to meet one-on-one with a FLI career counselor to discuss their personal career path. By participating in this workshop you will be a part of AACC's Future Leaders Institute network that includes over 500 leaders nationwide.

Click here for more information about the FLI/WDI Seminar.