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The Case for Being Bold: A new Agenda for Business in Improving STEM Education

The U.S. Department of Education recently unveiled the results of the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for science. The report shows that only 34% of fourth-graders, 30% of eighth-graders, and 21% of twelfth-graders were shown to be proficient in science. This comes shortly after the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed American students continuing to lag behind their international peers. For a nation that relies heavily upon technology and innovation for its economic strength, these reports underscore America's vulnerable standing as a world economic leader.

The business community plays an essential role in the success of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, which is crucial to US students’ preparation for the future workforce and ensuring American economic health for future generations. “Instead of continually reinventing the wheel, we must re-imagine our schools, revise how we recruit and train our teachers, and rethink the stale strategies that have stagnated academic achievement. If we do not dare to be bolder in STEM education, we risk losing even more ground globally,” said Margaret Spellings, former Secretary of Education and current president of the U.S. Chamber’s Forum for Policy Innovation.

Read the Institute for a Competitive Workforce report.

On-the-Job Training
On-the-Job Training (OJT) provides unique opportunities for participants who already possess some job-related skills and the knowledge to “learn as they earn”. By participating in training as an employee, the participant not only acquires new skills and knowledge, but also receives the same wages and benefits as current employees in the same or similar positions. The employer benefits by being reimbursed for part of the participant’s wages during the training period, while having the services of a full-time employee. OJT is planned, organized and conducted at the employee’s worksite. It is particularly appropriate for developing proficiency skills unique to an employee’s job, especially jobs that are relatively easy to learn and require locally-owned equipment and facilities. Morale, productivity and professionalism will normally be high in those organizations that employ a sound OJT program.

Eligible participants are those who, as determined by the Local Workforce Investment Board, have not been earning a self-sufficient wage and are WIA enrolled. Eligible employers must commit to hiring participants who successfully complete their training programs.

•  OJT focuses on jobs involving the introduction of new technologies, production or service procedures; upgrading to new jobs that require additional skills or workplace literacy; or other appropriate purposes identified by the OCWIB.
• The employer can be in the public, private non-profit or private sector.
• OJT provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job.
• The employer is reimbursed up to 80 percent of the wage rate of the individual for the extraordinary costs of providing the training and increased supervision related to the training.
• Minimum wage rate $15 hour.
• WIA enrolled participant.
• OJT is limited in duration, not to exceed a 500 hour training period, based upon the demand occupation for which the participant is being trained, the participant’s prior work experience and the service strategy.

Contact the Orange County Business Service Center for more information at (714) 670-0100.

Employment Training Panel (ETP)
Upgrade new and/or existing employee’s skills by creating a customized training program that meets your company’s needs through the ETP program. The ETP program will assist you in strengthening your competitive edge by:

• Providing funds to off-set costs of job skills training necessary to maintain high-performance workplaces.
• Providing training funds for unemployed workers.
• Matching employer training funds to existing workers.

To find out if you meet the eligibility requirements or get more information about the ETP program, visit www.etp.ca.gov.

Job Fairs

Are you hiring? Job fairs are an efficient and inexpensive way for you to recruit candidates for multiple positions. Visit the Orange County Business Service Center for a list of upcoming job fairs throughout the County.

Useful Links

Labor Market Information

Orange County Workforce Investment Board

Orange County One Stop Center