Helena Business and Industry Survey Conducted by the Helena Education Foundation July-August, 2008...
-
Upload
pauline-melton -
Category
Documents
-
view
213 -
download
1
Transcript of Helena Business and Industry Survey Conducted by the Helena Education Foundation July-August, 2008...
Helena Business and Industry Survey
Conducted by the Helena Education Foundation
July-August, 2008
Summarized by:
Patrick Kelly, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
6
6
6
9
12
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Other
Mother
Media
Career Development
Project Management
Veterinary Medical
Construction
Information Technologies
Health Care
Marketing
Engineering
Landscaping
Energy/Utilities
Entertainment/arts
Restaurant, Hospitality or Tourism
Education
Sales
Government and Public Administration
Human Services
Finance and Insurance
Helena Business and Industry Survey – Respondents by Industry
Total = 61
Levels of Education Required for Entry-Level Work vs. Levels Required for Positions Above Entry-Level
4.9%
32.8%
9.8%
4.9%
37.7%
9.8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Graduate Degree
Bachelors Degree
Associate Degree
Industry Certification
High schooldiploma/GED
Less than high schooldiploma
Required for Entry-Level
13.2%
54.7%
9.4%
3.8%
17.0%
1.9%
Required Beyond Entry-Level
Are You Aware of Any Current Employees (20 and Older) Who Lack a High School Diploma or GED?
Will not hire a person without a high school diploma – GED is not sufficient
Will hire a person without a high school diploma or GED with hesitancy – generally lack problem solving, language, and communication skills
We require a high school diploma or GED and verify their credentials
Comments
No 74%
Yes 26%
Would You Support Efforts by the Helena Educational Community to Help Adults Earn a GED?
Yes – but would rather see more focused efforts on preventing dropout – reconnecting adults is reactionary rather than proactive
Yes – it is failing our nation when we have such high dropout rates – our nation is no longer the leaders as a result of high dropout rates
As long as testing criteria for the GED is relevant for what is needed in the workforce
Comments
No 5%
Yes 95%
Is the Helena Educational System Adequately Preparing Students for Postsecondary Education and Work?
Yes – postsecondary, but need to focus more on those not planning to attend college
Do well with more advanced students but need to improve with those more likely to enter the workforce
The school district is not meeting the needs of those interested in vocational careers
Comments
Some students are better prepared than others . . . Due as much to parental influence and home environment
Need to do better with those struggling – improve drop-out rate
Not keeping up with the changing demands of employers
Writing and math skills are lacking
No 44%Yes 56%
What Could be Done to Better Prepare Students for Postsecondary Education and the Workforce?
More rigor – raise expectations among students and parents, more effective use of the senior year, expand opportunities for dual enrollment
More effective interaction (for students) between schools and businesses – work study, internship, apprenticeships, job shadowing programs, customized programs developed by educators and employers
More effective communication of career opportunities, realistic wages, associated with directly entering the workforce vs. continuing into college
Focus more on reading, writing, and math skills (and their application in the workforce)
More specific courses designed for success in the vocational trades – e.g. applied vs. traditional mathematics
More emphasis on communication, social, and life skills
Suggestions for Improvement
No 44%Yes 56%
First Skills Needed to Learn Directly Out of High School vs. the Most Desired Foundational Skills
Note: Could include more than one response
3.1%
4.6%
9.2%
20.0%
27.7%
35.4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Organization
Leadership
Hard Skills - Reading,Math, etc.
Inquiry and ProblemSolving
Work Ethnic,Timeliness, Loyalty
Communication
Skills Needed to Learn DirectlyOut of High School
3.2%
3.2%
25.4%
7.9%
27.0%
33.3%
Foundational Skills MostDesired
Are Students Given Sufficient Guidance and Preparation in Making Career Choices?
Too many demands on teachers and counselors – opportunity to incorporate career education is limited
More focused on four-year degree
Guidance counselors tend to discourage kids from attending college outside of Montana and are not helpful in guiding students toward specific careers – teachers and employers do a much better job of this
Comments
Counselors deal more with crisis/disciplinary action than career counseling – not enough time to deal with both
Struggle with home environment for some kids
Counselors should be able to distinguish – and guide accordingly – between students going to college vs. directly into the workforce
Counseling system seems reactive rather than proactive
No 70%
Yes 30%
Statements that Most Closely Fit Business’s Needs
6.0%
25.4%
32.8%
35.8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Send us fully qualified applicants; we neither havethe time or resources to provide training.
Send us applicants who can read and locateinformation, apply mathematics, and problem-
solve; we will teach them whatever else they needto succeed in our business.
Send us applicants with adequate soft skills (workethic, teamwork, communication skills, etc); we willteach them specific occupational/technical skills.
Send us applicants with specificoccupational/technical skills; we will develop otherskills needed commensurate with our company's
culture.
Note: Could include more than one response
Difficulty Hiring/Filling Positions with the Following SkillsMost Common Examples (from 50% of Respondents who Indicated Difficulty)
Nursing
Health Technology
Information Technology
Other Technology – Auto, Electric
Engineering
Management
Sales and Customer Service Skills
Writing Skills
Math Skills – Teaching and On-the-Job
Most Serious Personnel Issues in Businesses
2.2%
2.2%
4.5%
7.9%
12.4%
19.1%
23.6%
28.1%
0% 10% 20% 30%
Drug and alcohol abuse
Worker injuries
Work Ethic
Leadership problems
Absenteeism
Worker loyalty/turnover
Lack of trained/skilledworkers
Communicationproblems
Others:
Retirement/Replacement
Seasonal Nature of Business
Note: Could include more than one response
Adequate Input Into Our Local Education System?
Contact District Administrators
Through Committee Process
Through Teachers
Contacting School Board Members
“Never heard of school district asking for what we need in employment skills”
Provide contact person for employment, training, and feedback
Community Forums
Consider using small business owners as guest lecturers
Expose teachers to more business activities
Yes: What is the Best Way to Provide Input?
No: How Could the School District Facilitate Input?
17.4%
5.8%
7.0%
8.1%
14.0%
14.0%
14.0%
19.8%
0% 10% 20% 30%
Other (please specify)
Providing internship opportunities for teachers
Donating equipment for educational programs
Serving on a business/industry advisorycommittee
Providing internship opportunities for students
Hosting student tours of our place of business
Not Engaged
Being a guest speaker in classes
How are You Engaged with a Local K-12 Education Program?
Others:
Serve on Committees
Fund Programs
Volunteering
Parent
Employee
Note: Could include more than one response
4.3%
6.0%
11.1%
15.4%
17.1%
21.4%
24.8%
0% 10% 20% 30%
Other (please specify)
Donating equipment
Providing internship opportunities for teachers
Hosting student tours of our place of business
Providing internship opportunities for students
Serving on a business/industry advisorycommittee
Being a guest speaker in classes
Business would Be Willing to Partner with a Local Education Program in the Following Areas?
Others:
Volunteer
Note: Could include more than one response