FROM THE FIELD: Lessons Learned on Leveraging Data to Support Career-Connected Learning

Thursday, December 5, 2024

By Betsy Revell (EmployIndy), Tressie Fife (EmployIndy), and Hannah Smith (Education Strategy Group)

Students across Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana have access to authentic career-connected learning experiences to develop the critical skills needed to succeed in the future of work, thanks to the Talent Bound initiative led by EmployIndy, the County’s workforce development board. 

The EmployIndy team recently undertook an extensive project to create an employer toolkit for career-connected learning and develop associated data dashboards for schools. In a recent episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Marie Mackintosh, President and CEO of EmployIndy, and Betsy Revell, Senior Vice President of EmployIndy’s’ Career-Connected Learning discuss how these efforts align with the broader vision for youth apprenticeships and workforce readiness. This insightful conversation explores the critical role of data in shaping these apprenticeships and underscores the importance of partnerships between education and industry to ensure students are prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.

The core of this initiative was the enhancement of EmployIndy’s data management systems, a move that stands to revolutionize how career-connected learning impacts young people and their career readiness. By improving data systems, EmployIndy has enabled more precise tracking and analysis of program outcomes, employer engagement, and student participation. These enhancements allow for real-time data updates and accessible, actionable insights that are critical for making informed decisions that directly affect student outcomes.

Reflecting on the development and implementation of enhanced data systems, several key lessons can be learned that are applicable not only to career-connected learning initiatives but to any organization looking to harness the power of data to drive decision-making and improve outcomes:

  1. Stakeholder Training and Feedback: A critical lesson from EmployIndy’s experience is the importance of training stakeholders to effectively utilize new technologies and data systems. Tailored training for administrators, CTE leaders, and employers ensures that all users can derive meaningful insights from the data, leading to better-informed decisions and strategies.
  2. Invest in Scalable Technology: As demands and data complexity increase, the need for scalable technology becomes clear. EmployIndy’s flexibility to use different systems highlights the necessity of investing in technology that can grow and adapt to expanding needs.
  3. Navigate Data Governance Challenges: Working with various external software platforms illustrate the complexities of data governance. Establishing clear protocols for data collection, sharing, and security is crucial, especially when handling sensitive information compliant with regulations like FERPA.
  4. Foster Collaborative Relationships: Developing strong relationships with educational and business partners is essential for the success of data-driven initiatives. These partnerships not only enhance the relevance and impact of the programs but also ensure that the data systems are used to their full potential.
  5. Anticipate and Adapt to Challenges: The journey of enhancing data systems will invariably encounter challenges, from technical issues to stakeholder resistance. A proactive approach to identifying potential problems, coupled with a flexible response strategy, can mitigate these challenges effectively.
  6. Ensure Continuous Improvement: The field of data management and analytics is ever- evolving. Continuous assessment of the systems in place, coupled with an openness to adopt new technologies and methodologies, is key to staying ahead in data management and utilization.
  7. Focus on Impact: Ultimately, the true measure of any data system’s success is the impact it has on the intended beneficiaries. For EmployIndy, this means focusing on how data enhancements improve career readiness and educational outcomes for students.

Utilizing advanced tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, EmployIndy developed a sophisticated framework that structures data around key program activities and outcomes. This strategic data management not only supports internal metrics and tracking but also facilitates stronger collaboration with educational partners and employers. These lessons provide a foundation for any organization aiming to enhance its data-driven capabilities and underscore the transformative potential of effectively managed and utilized data systems. By providing these stakeholders with targeted, data-driven insights, EmployIndy helps them understand and contribute more effectively to the educational and career development of students.

EmployIndy completed this work as part of the organization’s participation in Accelerate ED. Through the Accelerate ED initiative, two dozen communities with cross-sector partnerships spanning K-12, higher education, local and state leaders, and community-based organizations collaborate to expand accelerated pathways to propel high school students on a fast-track to career-relevant college degrees. Regional intermediaries in these communities facilitate these partnerships to design solutions to achieve racial and socioeconomic equity in opportunity and outcomes for students, implement pathways models in their region, and use data to inform improvement.

Our newly created “From the Field” posts will spotlight the expertise and commitment of the educators and leaders who are working to build and strengthen connections between K-12, higher education, and workforce systems in communities across the country, and share those best practices with the wider field.

 

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