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Job Readiness & Skill Development

SCOE’s 3rd Annual State of Education Breakfast Forum

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond

FULL STEAM AHEAD Preparing Solano students for the workforce of 2020

SCOE’s third annual Solano State of Education Breakfast forum was the largest ever, with 51 elected officials in attendance alongside Solano business leaders and educators. The annual forum brings school district superintendents and Solano leaders together to briefly share about developments happening for students in Solano County.

This year’s theme was preparing our young people for the workforce of 2020 with science, technology, engineering, arts, agriculture and medical science (STEAM).

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined us as a keynote speaker. He expressed the importance of continuing our work to close the opportunity gaps and address mental health for all students and staff.

We appreciate the participation of our school districts as well as Travis Credit Union and Brandman University for their sponsorships of this year’s event.

STEAM in Solano Video Series - click image to view

Science Vacaville Unified School District

Technology Vallejo City Unified School District

Engineering Travis Unified School District

Arts Fairfield-Suisun Unified School Dist.

Agricultural Arts- Dixon Unified School District

Medical Arts- Benicia Unified School District

Preparing the Local Work Force

The Work-Ready Certificate Program for students is a workshop providing over twenty hours of work related instruction and support. The program helps students locate job opportunities. Workshop topics include time management, resume writing, job search & applications, cover letters, work ethic, customer service teamwork, and interview techniques.

The Work-Ready Certificate Program is coordinated by the Solano County Office of Education and is presented in school districts throughout Solano County.

Employers interested in partnering with SCOE’s Work-Ready Certificate Program can contact Lindsay Caceres at (707) 399-4809.

Workforce Development

Solano County Office of Education partners with various local and state resources to assist students with intellectual and/or physical disabilities in developing work and life skills that fit each individual’s unique needs and abilities.

Workforce Development includes experience for students in businesses across Solano County. The program creates win-win partnerships between SCOE, our young people, and the businesses involved.

Local businesses can help young adults develop job experience, work skills and independence. Contact Susan Labrecque, Director of Resource Development and Transition Services at slabrecque@solanocoe.net or (707) 399-4830 for more information.

Partnering with Local Trades for Career Exploration

In 2019-20, more than 200 students from Solano and Napa counties got firsthand looks at local building and construction trades. The students took a tour of training centers that included carpenter trade centers and sheet metal workers in Fairfield, plumbers and steamfitters in Vacaville, and iron workers in Benicia. Students were able to see state-of-the-art equipment used in different trades and ask questions directly to labor leaders and trainers.

The tour is an annual event sponsored by Solano County Office of Education in partnership with the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council, the North Bay Apprenticeship Coordinators Association, and the Napa-Solano Building Trades. SCOE provided transportation so that students could travel to trade centers. The unions involved were the Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, Carpenters Regional Training Center, Ironworkers Local 378, Heat and Frost Insulators Local 16, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 180, and Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 342.

The trade tour for students is a valuable community partnership that provides students with an opportunity to explore career options here in Solano County. The local apprenticeship program offers high school graduates free training using classroom instruction, on-the-job experience, and the ability to earn income while they are learning trade skills.

This & That Student Gift Shop at Mc Bride Center

SCOE’s Adult Transition program aids in the development of young adults with special needs as they transition to adulthood. Our microenterprises program helps students create products that lead to entrepreneurial opportunities and experiences. Through entrepreneurship education, our young people learn organizational skills, time management, leadership, interpersonal skills, and point of sale experience, which are highly transferable skills sought by employers.

SCOE and the City of Vacaville partnered to house the This & That Gift Shop in the Mc Bride Center as a pop-up holiday business featuring items made by students and staff. The gift shop grew so popular, that KCRA3 and My58 news featured the store and the students, prompting record sales for the gift shop. Our staff and students have furthered their connection within our community through the microenterprise projects.

2019-20

240 youth in specical education completed the Transition Partnership Program (55 from SCOE, 14 from Benicia USD, 17 from Dixon USD, 101 from Fairfield-Suisun, 12 from Travis USD, 41 from Vacaville USD) 514 received WorkAbility I services. 82 special education students completed the Workability I Program. 59 district students earned SCOE’s WorkReady Certificate. 163 participated in 100 hour paid work experience.

Career In Focus Out of School Youth Program

The Career in Focus – Out of School Youth (OSY) program is a collaborative contract with the Workforce Development Board of Solano County. SCOE provides a comprehensive array of services that give youth that have stopped attending school or are foster youth/aging out of foster care or justice involved, the tools necessary to make sound decisions about their future and career choice. The program assists youth in completing graduation requirements and gaining valuable work experience that collectively lead to earning a living wage.

Construction Trades Class

In 2019, SCOE launched the Introduction to Construction Trades class for incarcerated youth. The course provides an overview and introduction to the trades. Fifteen students had the opportunity to take part in the course and made some fabulous projects while learning valuable workplace skills.

WorkAbility I Programs

The Solano County Office of Education WorkAbility I programs promote independent living and provides comprehensive pre-employment worksite training, employment, and follow up services for youth in special education who are making the transition from school to work. The programs serve both middle school and high school students, providing career exploration, self-determination, and selfadvocacy training. The secondary program assists students with the actual transition from high school.

Workforce Development program VIDEO Solano County Office of Education

Transition Partnership Program

Transition Partnership Program (TPP) is a collaborative contract with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and Solano County Office of Education (SCOE). The purpose of TPP is to provide pre-employment transition services including employment preparation, job development and placement, follow up, and nonsupported employment to students with disabilities. The TPP staff supply the auxiliary services necessary for the students/ DOR clients to reach their employment goals. The DOR and SCOE cooperative agreement establishes a service relationship designed to provide the student/ DOR client greater access to specialized services that meet the unique needs of the disabled population being served.

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