Shows
Ready for Work60 - Put It Where the Goats Can Get It - How to Simplify AI in Workforce DevelopmentFrom the stage of ACT’s Workforce Summit in Atlanta, episode 60 brings humor, insight, and real-world wisdom on AI’s role in workforce development. Host Jasen Jones is joined by tech experts DJ Burrel, Joshua Cox and Davin Jackson to explore how AI is transforming cybersecurity, government, and education. From ethical hacking to gaming as a gateway to tech careers, the panel breaks down complex topics in a way “the goats can get.” If you’re tech-savvy or just curious, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiration for navigating the future of work with AI.Voices of Excellence...2025-06-1726 minReady for Work59 - From Cradle to Career: The Data-Driven Path to Community TransformationHow early should we begin career development in a child’s life? It’s earlier than you might think. Heidi shares how Strive-Together is helping communities nationwide align around seven key educational milestones—from kindergarten readiness to career entry. Discover how data becomes a flashlight, not a hammer, and why systems thinking, equity, and authentic collaboration are essential for sustainable change.Voices of Excellence and Resources for Episode 59:Heidi Black, Vice President of Training | LinkedInStriveTogether and the Training HubTranscript and Show Notes (PDF)Work Ready Communities at ACTACT Workforce Solutions2025-05-2810 minReady for Work58 - From Gridlock to Growth – Better Pathways to Partnership ImpactWhat does it take to transform education and workforce systems in a way that truly reflects local needs? In this episode, we explore the Talent Hub designation—a model-agnostic standard recognizing excellence in cross-sector partnerships at the local, regional, and state levels. Born from Lumina Foundation’s work with 75 pioneering partnerships, Talent Hubs represent a new way of thinking about collaboration. National thought leader Dakota Pawlicki joins us to share lessons learned, practical strategies for scaling what works, and bold ideas for the future of talent development partnerships.Voices of Excellence in Episode 58:Da...2025-05-2116 min
Life Beyond Loss#7 - Jasen Jones: Breath by Breath - Coping with Grief Through YogaIn this episode of Life Beyond Loss, Jasen Jones shares his deeply personal journey of coping with the loss of his infant son and how he has transformed his grief into a mission to help others. Through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and the Healing Hearts class he created, Jasen opens up about finding peace, resilience, and purpose in the face of unimaginable pain. His story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, community, and self-care in navigating life after loss.
This episode is for anyone who has experienced loss and is seeking ways to heal and...2024-12-3146 minReady for Work57 - Conquering New Dimensions of Workforce Challenges for Competitive Economic DevelopmentThe disconnect between skilled workers and employers is wider than ever, with access to affordable housing and childcare now among the top challenges preventing new commercial investment and job creation. Collaborative workforce ecosystems, like those in Work Ready Communities, are uniquely equipped to tackle these issues, according to Chad Chancellor of the Next Move Group. Chad examines two crucial elements to succeed in the post-pandemic reality of economic development - expanding the scope of workforce ecosystem collaboration and enhancing the role of work-based learning in skills-driven pathways.
Chad Chancellor, Next Move Group
Chad's Presentation Slides (PDF)
Transcript (PDF)
...2024-12-0515 minReady for Work56 - Inspire Career Pathways with Manufacturing Month 2024Celebrated on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day is a national movement showcasing modern manufacturing careers. Throughout October, companies and educational institutions open their doors to students, parents, educators, and community leaders.
Neil Reddy brought the celebration to the 2024 ACT Workforce Summit. From the stage in Atlanta, Neil shares inspiration for future generations to enter manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain automation along with tips for workforce partners to grow talent pipelines for these sectors.
Neil Reddy, CEO
Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)
Manufacturing Day Resources
WorkKeys Skill Benchmarks for MSSC's CPT Credential
WorkKeys Skill Benchmarks...2024-10-2413 min
The Sleevie G ShowEpisode 100 - Drowning Pool with C.J. PierceEpisode 100 - Wow This is a true honor and amazing thing to do 100 episodes and everyone I have a treat for everyone please welcome special guest CJ Pierce from Drowning Pool with the hit song Bodies and Rise up ( which was used for WWE Smackdown Sept 2004 - Sept 2008 ) We do pay respect to the Late Dave Willians, and also we talk about Jason Jones and Jasen Moreno but also The Front Man now is Ryan McCombs is the vocalist for Drowning Pool but also is singing for Soil his other band. This was a lot of fun and excited...2024-10-1538 minReady for Work55 - The Power of Essential Skills to Unlock Success_1With the increasing demand for skills governing workplace behaviors, ACT’s new WorkKeys Essential Skills assessment is designed to measure and develop these crucial competencies for the future. In episode 55, Dr. Alex Casillas delves into the vital importance of essential skills in both education and the workforce. Join us for a deeper exploration of how essential skills can boost job performance, satisfaction, and career advancement, and learn about the tools available to enhance these abilities.
Dr. Alex Casillas, Principle Research Psychologist at ACT
Show Notes and Transcript (PDF)
WorkKeys Essential Skills from ACT
Technical Manual on ACT WorkKeys Es...2024-09-1834 minReady for Work54 - Accelerating Talent Development via Cross Sector CollaborationWith a panel of Work Ready Community champions, episode 54 explores innovative strategies and real-world examples of how partnerships between industries, educational institutions, and government agencies are reshaping workforce development. Accelerating Talent Development via Cross Sector Collaboration features panelists from Nebraska, Ohio, and Mississippi in the August 2024 edition of WRC-Live! Discover how these collaborations are breaking down silos, fostering skill growth, and creating a more adaptable and resilient workforce.
Lyndsie Gibbs, Metropolitan Community College of Omaha
Alex Lovrien, Metropolitan Community College of Omaha
Justin Burch, Delta Compass
Mike Longo, Ohio Means Jobs of Lorain County
Tina Gridiron, ACT
Fred Mc...2024-09-0636 minReady for Work53 - Finding Your Workforce - Latino Talent for a Global EconomyFinding your Workforce – Latino Talent for a Global Economy highlights best practices to leverage the high labor force participation rate of Latinos, projected to be one in five workers by 2031. Deborah Santiago with Excelencia in Education discusses the importance of developing stackable credentials, providing transition services, and connecting Latino talent to employers. Get ready to uncover actionable insights, debunk common myths, and discover best practices to reduce skill shortages.
Deborah A Santiago, CEO with Excelencia in Education
Debora on LinkedIn
Show Notes and Transcript for Episode 53 (PDF)
ACT Work Ready Communities
ACT Workforce Solutions
2024-09-0419 minReady for Work52 - Transforming Data to Destiny for Life-Changing Career GuidanceRichard Portelance from EdGate discusses the importance of data in career planning and the need for a lifelong learning repository to support modern pathways with better integrations of profile details. Identifying the fractured nature of current career tools and the necessity for better visualization of career pathways, Richard highlights the role of educational standards and AI’s potential with machine learning to map career pathways efficiently, empowering both learners and advisors.
Richard Portelance, EdGate
Richard on LinkedIn
Show Notes and Resources (PDF)
ACT Work Ready Communities
ACT Workforce Solutions
2024 ACT Workforce Summit
Tear the Paper Ceiling Storytelling Campaign
Inquire on WRC S...2024-08-2112 minReady for Work51 - From Disparity to Prosperity - Transforming Minnesota’s WorkforceErin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at Real Time Talent, discusses Minnesota’s educational and workforce challenges. Despite high labor force participation, Minnesota faces significant racial disparities in education and a talent shortage. Olson highlights the misalignment between workforce needs and available skills, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships and data-driven solutions. Real Time Talent collaborates with various stakeholders to address these issues, focusing on aligning educational programs with labor market demands and promoting equity. Olson underscores the importance of employer involvement in creating effective workforce solutions and the role of Real Time Talent in facilitating these efforts....2024-08-2114 min
The Up Bus PodcastThe Up Bus Podcast: Managing a dealership from the top downIn this week's View From The Top interview, Lotpop CEO Jasen Rice interviews Amid Jones. The two discuss the key to building a successful sales team within a dealership in today's market.
The Up Bus podcast, hosted by automotive industry leader Jasen Rice, discusses industry topics and best practices for boosting sales during the industry's current challenges.
Learn more at www.theupbus.com2024-07-1923 minReady for Work50 - Work Readiness at the Speed of MotlowKnown for his innovative approach to education, Dr. Michael Torrence of Motlow State Community College in Tennessee is a champion of emerging technologies, workforce development, and community engagement. He's passionate about creating scalable opportunities for students, fostering relationships with industries, and preparing the next generation for the future. From transforming homeless students into successful professionals, to pioneering digital credentialing systems, Dr. Torrence shares his dynamic FRED Talk from the ACT Workforce Summit stage.
Show Notes, Transcript, and Slides
ACT Work Ready Communities
ACT Workforce Solutions
2024 ACT Workforce Summit
Tear the Paper Ceiling Campaign
Inquire on WRC Storytelling and...2024-07-1715 minThe Up Bus PodcastThe Up Bus Podcast: Do you have the keys to build a successful automotive sales team?In this week's View From The Top interview, Lotpop CEO Jasen Rice interviews Amid Jones. The two discuss the key to building a successful sales team within a dealership in today's market.
The Up Bus podcast, hosted by automotive industry leader Jasen Rice, discusses industry topics and best practices for boosting sales during the industry's current challenges.
Learn more at www.theupbus.com2024-07-1216 minReady for Work49 Employer-Driven Universities with Innovative Solutions for Adult LearnersIn Episode 49 of Ready for Work, we continue our series of FRED Talks from the ACT Workforce Summit. Tracy Robinson from the University of Memphis shares her experience working with adult learners and the challenges they face in balancing education with other life responsibilities. The University of Memphis has made significant changes to accommodate adult learners, just in time for employer giant FedEx to seek the university’s help. It’s a successful model that the University replicated with the City of Memphis, a regional hospital chain, and Nike, among others.
Tracy Robinson on LinkedIn
Show Notes, Transcript, and...2024-06-2412 minReady for Work48 Storytelling Accelerates Workforce and Economic DevelopmentWill Coppage is a creative community developer. From the main stage of the ACT Workforce Summit, Will helped us explore the concept of wonder in art and its power to draw us in repeatedly. Will shows us how this principle applies to community development, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity, maintaining a positive community appearance, and promoting workforce skills. The episode concludes with exciting news of a storytelling event at the 2024 Workforce Summit in Atlanta.
Will Coppage on LinkedIn
Show Notes, Resources, and Transcript (PDF)
ACT Work Ready Communities
ACT Workforce Solutions
Tear the Paper Ceiling Storytelling Campaign
...2024-06-1213 minReady for Work47 - Excellence in the Fusion of Economic and Workforce DevelopmentEpisode 47 features Tonia Saunders, who leads both workforce and economic development in Lucas County, Ohio. This Work Ready Community (WRC) integrated the two disciplines, emphasizing the role of collaboration with neighboring counties to enhance the region's competitiveness. Tonia shares insights on tackling workforce challenges, leveraging community partnerships and innovative strategies to serve the manufacturing and healthcare industries effectively. The episode highlights the success of Lucas County's WRC initiative, showcasing how it drives economic growth and improves employment opportunities through targeted employer
engagement and comprehensive support services. This conversation underlines the importance of synergy between workforce and economic development in...2024-03-0723 minReady for Work46 - Braided Funding and Alignment for Program SustainabilityBraided funding and alignment of partnerships are key when creating sustainable systems and programs for your community. Lyndsie Gibbs and Alex Lovrien from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha join us on Episode 46 of Ready for Work. The partnerships across this Work Ready Community grew a small, data-driven, proof of concept into a $10M venture that has eliminated financial barriers so individuals can access quality training, education, and gainful employment. Listen in for best practices on braided funding, opportunities and obstacles, tips to get started, and lessons learned.
Voices of Excellence in Episode 46:
Lyndsie Gibbs, Director of...2024-02-2924 minReady for Work45 - Skilled Through Alternative Routes - Why STARs Matter to the WorkforceJoin us in Episode 45 to discover a groundbreaking partnership between ACT and Opportunity at Work. Georgia Gillette, VP of Strategic Alliances at Opportunity at Work, shares insights on STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) and the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign. Discover the challenges faced by STARs, the impact of hiring misperceptions, and the mission to bridge the gap between job opportunities and workforce skills. Explore the data-driven strategies, success stories, and a comprehensive playbook aimed at closing skill gaps with STARs.
Guest: Georgia Gillette, VP of Strategic Alliances, Opportunity at Work
Transcript of Episode 45
Tear the Paper Ceiling...2023-12-2031 minReady for Work44 - Celebrating Manufacturing Month with ACT and MSSCIn episode 44 of Ready for Work, LeeSa Page, a senior advisor with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, discusses the importance of Manufacturing Day and Manufacturing Month in October. She highlights the role of manufacturing in the American economy and the need to inspire various groups to pursue careers in the industry. From the stage of the recent ACT Workforce Summit in Nashville, LeeSa emphasizes the need for partnerships and initiatives to tap into untapped talent pools for a diverse manufacturing workforce. The episode concludes by acknowledging successful programs that have positively impacted manufacturing employment.
Show Notes, Resources, and...2023-10-1117 minReady for Work43 - High Tech Meets High Touch to Engage Working LearnersChange management enables working learners to acquire skills and adopt behaviors that maximize workforce and learning outcomes. On episode 43 of Ready for Work, guest Robert Feeney shares his personal journey that led him to develop Ringorang. Driven by overcoming severe mental health challenges in his family, Robert emphasizes the importance of behavior change in education and career development. The solution deploys drip advertising techniques to enhance training outcomes, change management, and participant engagement. Schools and workforce stakeholders send out information and actions to participants and collect actionable data on their responses. The conversation introduces the Future Ready program and...2023-09-2826 minReady for Work42 - What's Next for the Skills-First MovementTwo incredible champions in the field of competency-based education and the skills-first movement: Julian Alssid and Kaitlin Lemoine, join the conversation on Episode 42 of Ready for Work. Through their pioneering work at College for America, the duo emphasizes the importance of transparently naming and communicating skills to learners, bridging the gap between academic and workplace skills. Learn more about the challenges posed by legacy systems and the importance of breaking down silos. They also share insights from their new consultancy work, giving us a preview of What’s Next for the Skills-First Movement.
Julian Alssid, President
J...2023-09-2612 minReady for Work41 - Credentials As You Go Accelerates Career PathwaysThe current education system relies heavily on traditional degrees, limiting adult learners and disproportionately affecting people of color. Employers value 21st-century skills, but confusion persists due to the proliferation of diverse credentials. Guest Melissa Goldberg joins Episode 41 of Ready for Work to showcase Credentials As You Go. This framework provides the redesign needed for economic realities, equity, and clarification, with implications for politics and workforce preparation.
Voices of Excellence on Episode 41
Melissa Goldberg, Director of Competencies and CredentialsCredentials As You GoCorporation for a Skilled WorkforceLinkedIn
...2023-09-1918 min
Ready for Work40 - Equity and Transparency for Education and CredentialsCredential Engine is revolutionizing workforce career learning ecosystems by providing accessible data on credentials. Learn how equity plays a crucial role in reshaping pathways and empowering individuals. Here in Episode 40 of Ready for Work, Credential Engine CEO Scott Cheney helps us uncover the key information needed for informed decision-making and how it promotes fairness. Explore the transformative power of open data and modern tech in education and career guidance to enhance your region’s career learning workforce ecosystem.
Show Notes, Resources, and Transcript (PDF)
Special Guest: Scott Cheney of Credential Engine
Credential Engine Equity Advisory Re...2023-07-0519 min
Ready for Work39 - Innovations in Career Navigation and Workforce Ecosystem ImpactDiscover how WorkBay®, a technology firm founded by CEO Mary Hayes and COO Alice Hayes, is making a difference in career navigation both regionally and nationally. WorkBay integrates the skills-first approach of the workforce ecosystem and their innovations in this area are revolutionizing career exploration and navigation. During a recent Work Ready Communities Live event, Mary and Alice shared insights about the latest pilots with ACT® and how WorkBay is integrating WorkKeys benchmarks into user-friendly platforms in regions and targeted initiatives across the U.S. WorkBay successfully tackled the technological challenges of serving returning citizens with pre-release activities. By com...2023-06-0920 min
Ready for Work38 - Working to Solve Workforce Challenges in LongviewAs vice president of Longview Economic Development Corporation in Texas, Heather Malone shared her valuable insights on the workforce challenges that her community faces in a friendly and informative manner. One key point she highlighted was the importance of reliable transportation for workers to meet the demands of their employers. Additionally, she discussed the ongoing skills gap in the Longview region and the proactive measures being taken to support both the workforce and employers.
Heather emphasized the current top workforce challenges and how employers are adapting their job descriptions to align with the specific skills required for...2023-05-3112 min
Main American Bigfoot channelPohdintoja ja varoituksia - Aaron Russon haastattelu (pitkä)Reflections & Warnings - An Interview with Aaron Russo (FULL)
https://uvmedia.org/2023/05/30/kotielainten-mikrosirutuksesta-ihmisiin-nain-suomalaiset-hivutetaan-globalistieliitin-orjiksi/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSGZ4Hkdyg4
https://www.bitchute.com/video/X3lQH9Gi0Ges/
Tue asiaa ja osta DVD osoitteesta: http://www.infowarsshop.com/
Historiallisessa loppuhaastattelussa elokuvantekijä ja musiikkipromoottori Aaron Russo kertoo syvällisesti sisäpiirin tietämyksestä, jonka eräs Rockefellerin perheen jäsen antoi hänelle. Russolle kerrottiin (ennen syyskuun 11. päivää) suunnitelmista järjestää terrori-iskuja, hyökätä vieraisiin maihin ja käynnistää huipputekninen poliisivaltion valvontaverkko, joka seuraisi väestön jokaista liikettä impl...2023-05-3000 min
Ready for Work37 - Boosting Career Pathways with College Credit through WorkKeysCareer Pathways are a special blend of training and job progression. When the training includes post-secondary learning, the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT can translate to college credit that jumpstarts the learning journey. Awarding credit through Prior Learning Assessment, or PLA, for short, boosts confidence and increases the pace to program completion. Colleges increase enrollment while helping build the regional talent pipeline.
The American Council of Education recently upgraded their recommendations on credit hours awarded for the NCRC. Join us on Episode 37 as we explore the benefits of PLA; make connections between WorkKeys levels and pos...2023-02-1520 min
The Daily ShowThe Daily Show for Monday, January 2, 2023I had a great conversation with Bradley Berg and Jasen Jones on yoga and meditation. Find out more about it on January 10th at Encompassed Purpose in Macks Creek.
Rick Bryant discussed the auction business and selling real estate and how you can benefit from selling your home or property.2023-01-021h 59
Blind Tiger Record Club PodcastS5: November Records of the Month - Bonny Light Horseman, Train, Lee Fields, and ZZ TopOn this episode of the Blind Tiger Record Club Podcast, David W. Williams and Kevin Lee discuss the Blind Tiger Record Club's November Records of the Month. We discuss all four styles of the B.T.R.C. Records of the Month - Singer Songwriter, Rock & Alternative, Jazz Soul & Blues, and Classics. We talk about new releases and reissues from Bonny Light Horseman, Train, Lee Fields, and ZZ Top. The albums from these artists are discussed and clips of songs from the albums are played. We discuss the return of Eric D. Johnson, Anais Mitchell, and Josh Kaufman to the Bonny Ligh...2022-11-211h 27
Ready for Work36 - National Apprenticeship Week with Success at Roy O'Martin2022 marks the 8th annual National Apprenticeship Week and celebrations November 14th through the 20th to showcase the success and value of apprenticeship to rebuild the economy, advance equity, and support under-served communities. On Episode 36 of Ready for Work, we take you to the recent ACT Workforce Summit in New Orleans for a keynote presentation featuring the Woodworks program at Roy O’Martin, a forestry-products leader in Louisiana and Texas. HR pro and Work Ready Communities ambassador, Donna Bailey presented a luncheon keynote on the three components that made Woodworks a success and some of the voices of excellence along the...2022-11-1221 min
We Are Jobs PodcastEpisode 171 - Jasen JonesOn this week's podcast Chuck Sexton, CEO of Next Move Group, talks with Jasen Jones about the importance of being an ACT Work Ready Community and what communities can do to become workforce ready.
Find out more at https://test-next-move-podcast.pinecast.co2022-10-2631 min
Ready for Work35 - Closing Skill Gaps for Working Learners with Transit SupportAs workforce development typically focuses on skill and availability, other economic and community development practices can make or break those workforce efforts. Examples include housing, broadband internet, childcare, and today’s focus in Episode 35, transportation. Abigail Seldin from the Seldon-Haring-Smith Foundation (SHSF) brings us insight on the importance of transit for community college students. We’ll explore the impact of mapping efforts to boost transit options, the interface of public policy, and advice on how to connect these strategies to a Work Ready Community.
Links and Resources
Guest Abigail Seldin, CEO/Co-Founder, Seldon-Haring-Smith Founda...2022-08-1509 min
Ready for Work34 - Digital Badges Expand Reach and Impact of WorkKeysThe release of episode 34 of Ready for Work marks a milestone at ACT® in the launch of Digital Badges for the WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC®). Guests include Pat Leonard, the VP for Business Development at Credly®, and Neil Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). Listen in for benefits to working learners, employers, and the full workforce ecosystem. Episode 34 gives a quick overview on the value of badging, best practices for integrating badges for educators and employers, and tips to maximize the online presence of employers and career seekers.
Voices of Exc...2022-08-0332 minBlind Tiger Record Club PodcastSeason 5: The May Jazz Soul & Blues ROTM - Adia Victoria - A Southern Gothic On this episode of the Blind Tiger Record Club Podcast, David W. Williams and Kevin Lee discuss the May Jazz Soul & Blues Record Of The Month, Adia Victoria - A Southern Gothic. The album is discussed and clips of songs from the album are played. It is a great introduction to both the artist and the album. We discuss Victoria's recording career starting with her widely acclaimed 2017 release, Silences. We discuss that albums producer, Aaron Dessner (The National, Big Red Machine) and Victoria's charting single off that album, "Different Kind of Love". We talk about recording the new album, A Southern Goth...2022-05-2542 min
Ready for Work33 - The Role of Occupational Identity for Early Career ProfessionalsPersonal journeys through education and career pathways are often filled with challenges and obstacles, making progress difficult and compromise frequent. Chelsea Williams of Reimagine Talent Co helps us discover the role of occupational identify for career pathway success with tips for job counselors, educators, and employers alike.
Resources
Chelsea Williams on LinkedIn
Reimagine Talent Co.
Employability Targets from National Association of Colleges and Employers
Viable Edu
ACT's Holistic Framework
ACT Workforce Summit
2022-04-1619 min
Ready for Work32 - Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen SuccessUnprecedented skill shortages in labor markets across the U.S. often intersect with a desire for Justice System reform that provides pathways for Returning Citizens to thrive. When optimized in a regional workforce ecosystem, Returning Citizens are a high-performing group of working learners to boost a regional talent pipeline. Episode 32 is the second in our two part series on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success. We’ll look at a five P’s framework of partnerships, planning, preparation, pathways, and performance with tips to launch or optimize regional re-entry initiatives.
Guest Contributors
2022-03-2124 min
Ready for Work31 - Life-Changing Asset and Skill-Based Solutions in Alternative SentencingEpisode 31 of Ready for Work is the first of a two-part episode on Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success. Charles Elliot is the Presiding Circuit Judge in Morgan County, Alabama. Partnerships with the community college and economic development leaders across their Work Ready Community help with the pillars of education and career. The drug court’s alternative sentencing model thrives on integrating mental health with a record-breaking positive impact.
Judge Charles Elliot of Morgan County, Alabama
Episode 32: Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success
Sign up for the ACT Workforce Toolkit on Preparing Workforce Eco...2022-03-2115 min
Ready for Work30 - Linking WorkKeys to Adult Education College and Career Readiness StandardsFederally funded Adult Basic Education (ABE) helps more than a million and half adults each year earn a high school equivalency, increase basic and employability skills, or improve their English language proficiency. The National Reporting Service governs the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRSAE) inside Adult Ed. Through an accountability and performance system of Educational Functioning Levels and Measurable Skill Gains, these standards guide learning and assessment in Adult Ed.
A group of nine subject matter experts in Adult Education formed a panel to align the CCRSAE to the benchmarks of WorkKeys. The panelists represent four states a...2022-03-1623 min
Ready for Work29 - Nine Elements to Improve Apprenticeship Quality and CompletionWith increased investment in apprenticeship comes increased expectations. ACT joined forces with local apprenticeships successful in skills-based hiring and national thought leaders on what’s needed to boost quality and completions in apprenticeship. Coming out of this collaboration is a new toolkit from ACT. We packed the toolkit with resources and scalable options of good, better, and best to provide apprenticeship coordinators flexibility in how to organize their efforts. The toolkit is organized into nine elements to boost quality and apprenticeship, across the domains of learning, working, and thriving.
Contributors
Chr...2021-11-2635 min
Ready for Work28 - The Role of Humor in Workforce Development - How Roy's Job Fair Reaches Working LearnersOne part humor, one part inspiration! Episode 28 kicks off our third season of Ready for Work with a fun perspective on the role of humor in workforce development. Our guest is comedian Roy Wood Junior, a correspondent on Comedy Central's hit, The Daily Show, and host of Roy's Job Fair, a podcast that explores the human condition through the prism of employment. Roy's famed humor is matched by his true empathy and curiosity for people. Roy helps us share the very serious topic of unemployment with an injection of comedy so the workforce ecosystem can be as relatable as pos...2021-11-0528 minBlind Tiger Record Club PodcastSeason 4: The Blind Tiger Record Club Podcast and On Air: August Records of the MonthOn this episode of both the Blind Tiger Record Club Podcast and "On Air" on Lightning 100 (100.1 FM WRLT, Nashville, TN), David W. Williams, Rudy Newman, and Kevin Lee discuss the B.T.R.C. August Records of the Month. There are four styles represented; Singer Songwriter, Rock & Alternative, Jazz Soul & Blues, and Classics. Four records will be introduced - one from each style. Each album is discussed and clips of songs from the album are played. It is a great introduction to the artists and albums. All of these albums have been released or reissued recently or will be releasi...2021-07-2755 min
Ready for Work27 - Joplin's Road to Recovery as a Work Ready Community - Ten Years After Devastating Tornado DisasterOne of the nation's deadliest tornados struck Joplin, Missouri ten years ago this week. On episode 27 of Ready for Work, we take a closer look at Joplin's recovery through the lens of the workforce ecosystem and the nation's first ACT-certified Work Ready Community.
A recurring theme is the priceless value of partnership connectivity and innovation. The workforce ecosystem was fortunate to have integrated partnerships with education and economic development that helped respond directly to the needs and urgency required.
Check out interviews with a few of those partners, such as Dave Rockers from Franklin Technology Cen...2021-05-2129 min
Ready for Work26 - Training Workforce Ecosystem Leaders for SuccessThe region's workforce ecosystem is only as strong as its leadership. Joining us on episode 25 of Ready for Work, author and consultant Dr. Anthony Edwards helps guide us from new book, Building a Winning Workforce: A Playbook for Employers, Government Entities; Colleges & Schools; Workforce Development Agencies, Economic Development Organizations ... & Chambers of Commerce; & Nonprofits. Later in the podcast, we'll listen to this leadership in action as Missouri's governor celebrates job creation and growth in Certified Work Ready Communities.
2021-03-2013 min
Misspacklight In ColorBlack To Love - Black Men and Women Talk TogetherJust in time for Valentine’s Day, we complete this series with black men and women finally having a conversation together. RJ Hodges, Jasen Hayes, Aisha Jones, and Vonda Miles represented our black men and women in our discussion. In addition, we were joined by Jamie and Brittany, two mental health therapists and podcasters of Melanin Perspective. They helped to shine light on the mental health point of view of navigating relationships. Things got juicy as we discussed expectations vs. values, what should and shouldn’t go down on the second date, and what really matters to get...2021-02-1056 min
Ready for Work25 - Rebooting Economic and Workforce Development for 2021Keeping the future in mind is a necessary function for persisting through disaster recovery. As regions continue to overcome the pandemic, there is a balance in preparing for future opportunities and obstacles at the same time. Episode 25 features Chad Chancellor, Co-Founder and CEO of the Next Move Group.
Listeners can gain insight on the ever-changing skills marketplace in economic development and how that translates to expectations for workforce development and career education leaders. Chad explains how smaller markets and rural areas could see increased viability.
Prospects and investors appreciate a simple, user-friendly approach with the buc...2021-02-0317 min
FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHTFriday Family Film Night: THE WITCHES reviewIn which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing THE WITCHES (1990), currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Based on a children's book by Roald Dahl, the film tells the story of Luke, a young boy who stumbles on a witches convention and is thrust into an adventure where he is tasked with saving all the children of the world from the peril being planned by some pretty evil witches. Will he succeed or fail? You've got to check it out - directed by Nicolas Roeg the film features performances by Angelica Houston as the Grand High Witch, Mai Zet...2020-10-0220 min
Ready for Work24 - Deploy and Analyze Recovery and Resiliency InitiativesIn our third of three episodes dedicated to Skills-Based Recovery and Resiliency, episode 24 brings us to the Deploy and Analyze phases in the five-part ALEDA framework. Sean McCoy from Public Consulting Group shares some factors worth considering in the deployment of recovery services remotely. We’ll check out some best practice examples in remote work-based learning with Kelly Dyer in Missouri, and remote instruction with Brownwyn Robertson in Mississippi. Mike Longo and Mary LeFebvre are back with us to share tips and perspectives in analyzing recovery and resiliency efforts.
Episode 22 covers the Adapt phase while 23 explores the Lead...2020-09-3019 min
Ready for Work23 - Leading and Engaging Recovery and ResiliencyWorkforce ecosystem leaders encounter plenty of challenging layers to disaster recovery and economic resiliency. ACT curated a five-part toolkit with a framework we call ALEDA. We covered the Adapt phase in Episode 22. In this installment, we explore the Lead and Engage phases.
We have an interview with Lisa Rice, a former Workforce Director turned leadership consultant. Lisa offers perspectives on three qualities of a leader in disaster recovery, and advice for those new to skills-based recovery systems.
Mike Longo, a workforce director in the certified Work Ready Community of Lorain County, Ohio. Through the OhioMeansJobs center...2020-09-2924 min
Ready for Work22 Adapting for Recovery with Data, Skills, and SystemsReady for Work episode 22 is the first of three on the ALEDA Framework using Skills-Based Hiring for Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency. The five-part framework is Adapt, Lead, Engage, Deploy, and Analyze. We focus this episode on the Adapt phase in Data, Skills, and Systems.
The Adapt phase helps us re-position traditional disaster recovery models to meet the needs of your local economy. We must adapt our local data to be current and actionable in order to address each issue organically. Skills for the jobs that remain or return often change dramatically based on the pivots employers ma...2020-09-2816 min
Voices of ReasonSpecial Episode: Race Relations in UtahOn this episode of the Loudmouth Project's Voices of Reason, Jasen Lee joins KSL Newsradio's Jeff Kaplan on Utah's Noon News for a discussion on Race Relations in Utah. The are joined by Chris Burbank, vice president of Law Enforcement Strategy for Center for Policing Equity; Monica Willams, assistant professor of criminal justice at Weber State University; Sara Jones, co-founder of Inclusion Pro and James Jackson III, founder of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce.2020-07-1147 min
Ready for Work21 Resilient Workforce Ecosystems Leading Skills-Based Economic RecoveryAs a pandemic impacts communities everywhere, regional workforce ecosystems must implement reemployment strategies to become more adaptable. Hear stories of resilience happening real-time.
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Will Coppage: Twitter
Washington County Economic Alliance: Twitter
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Resources
Request the Toolkits on Disaster Recovery and Economic Resiliency or Proposal Development
Resilient Workforce Ec...2020-04-2426 min
Ready for Work20 Adult Education Success in Mississippi with Guest Bronwyn RobertsonBronwyn Robertson shares how Mississippi Community College Board’s Smart Start adult education equips adult learners with workforce credentials (including the WorkKeys NCRC) and ultimately them for success.
What more can adult education programs be doing to prepare participants for career success? As the job market continues to evolve, more and more learners rely on these programs to educate them on financial literacy, career awareness skills, class management systems, sector strategies, and countless other workforce-related topics.
Smart Start, a program of the Office of Adult Education at the Mississippi Community College Board, is taking the init...2020-02-2816 min
Ready for Work19 Making the Most of Second Chances with Guest Shelly JacobsThe Missouri Department of Corrections’ reentry program is equipping returning citizens with career credentials, barrier removal supports, and the WorkKeys NCRC. Reentry Coordinator Shelly Jacobs joins us to share the impact on their workforce.As employers across the nation are expanding their outreach efforts in search of a dedicated workforce, the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) has developed new ways to prepare returning citizens for steady employment upon release. Since implementing the reentry program two years ago, Missouri’s prison population has decreased by 7,000 individuals—a shift that Shelly Jacobs, a reentry coordinator with the Missouri DOC, bel...2020-02-1418 min
Ready for Work18 Site Selection and Workforce Development with Guest Mark ArendWork Ready Communities (WRC) from ACT is a framework for community-based workforce development to drive economic growth. Regions improve their workforce and compete on quality for location consultants, investors, and other decision-makers using data powered by the WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate. Episode 18 of the Ready for Work podcast showcased Site Selection Magazine’s annual State of the States reports and the Regional Workforce Development Climate rankings. The WRC website has a helpful article on economic development as well.
Why does an organization invest millions of dollars in one area versus an another? It very well may com...2020-02-0315 min
Ready for Work17 Career Pathway Readiness with ACT Researchers Mary LeFebvre and Jeff SteedleCareer readiness is a hot topic these days. An updated report from ACT has a wealth of data on the subject that you won’t find anywhere else. For career navigation, or for counselors, students, or folks looking for a job change, The Condition of Career Pathway Readiness in the United States 2019 report—and this podcast—will provide some great insight. You can take a look at the report here. The updated report looks at the progress of the ACT®-tested 2019 U.S. high school graduating class relative to colle...2020-01-1412 min
Ready for Work16 Connecting Rural Development Strategies and Resources with guests Joe T. Wood and Jim TracyRural America is facing some incredible challenges. When rural students graduate high school many of them move away to urban areas. The up-and-coming generation tends to overlook their opportunities in rural areas. This hurts the economy of local communities, including those in Southwest Tennessee.
The Southwest Tennessee Rural Workforce Readiness Collaborative is working to reverse this problem. By building a comprehensive approach to help bridge the skills gap, they’re beginning to show students the opportunities around them for meaningful employment in great-paying careers—like manufacturing and construction—and then providing the path.
In order to str...2019-12-3119 min
Game Notes: A Show About The Utah JazzHeated TransactionsTony Jones is joined by Jasen Lee of the Deseret News and Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune following the Jazz loss to the Heat in Miami. The trio discusses the busy day for the Utah Jazz that all started with a trade for Jordan Clarkson. They discuss his fit with the team, the end of the Dante Exum era, the release of Jeff Green and how the team looks going into the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2019-12-2424 min
Ready for Work15 Work Ethic for the 21st Century Workforce with guest Josh DaviesJosh Davies, CEO of the Center for Work Ethic Development is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. We were fortunate to have Josh deliver one of the FRED Talks as well as a breakout session at the recent ACT Workforce Summit. By using employer-based research, defining the seven behaviors of work ethic, and innovative teaching, participants discover how to make lasting behavior change. On episode 15 of Ready for Work, we feature Josh’s FRED Talk with trends in social-emotional learning and some insights on millennials and generational decline that may surprise you....2019-12-0712 min
Ready for Work14 Career Connected Learning with Guest Hans MeederWhy are so many well-educated and well-supported American youths struggling to make successful transitions to adult life? It’s an important question and the first that Hans Meeder asks on Episode 14 of our Ready for Work podcast, which was recorded at our recent ACT Workforce Summit.Hans works at the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T), which he founded in 2012. His organization believes in a simple concept: every young American should have a dream and a plan. The problem? Millions of students don’t.Hans argues that the missing piece is Career Connec...2019-11-2621 min
Ready for Work13 Workforce Response to Opioid Crisis in TennesseeA high prevalence of prescription drug abuse has created an unhealthy workforce in northeast Tennessee. As a result, the region has high instances of addiction, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and overdose deaths.
The region is learning how to contend with the impact that the opioid crisis has on its workforce. Rather than sweep the issues under the rug, the First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) took a lead role in bringing partners together to tackle the epidemic and is building a system of support for the lifecycle – from babies suffering with NAS to senior adults.
FTDD’s Lott...2019-11-1530 min
Download New Full Audiobooks in Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Police & DetectiveDead End by Rachel LynchPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/526941 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Dead End Series: #3 of Detective Kelly Porter Author: Rachel Lynch Narrator: Clare Kissane Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 9 hours 31 minutes Release date: November 8, 2019 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4.67 of Total 3 Ratings of Narrator: 5 of Total 2 Genres: Police & Detective Publisher's Summary: Family secrets are hiding a legacy of lies. Can DI Kelly Porter get to the truth before innocent lives are left? When the seventh Earl of Lowesdale is found hanging from the rafters at Wasdale Hall, everyone assumes the aging aristocrat finally had enough of chasing the glory of his y...2019-11-0803 min
Ready for Work12 Workforce Mythblasters - Debunking the Myths of Skills-Based HiringOn Episode 12 of Ready for Work, we seek to debunk some common myths of skills-based hiring with a Top Ten List of Workforce Mythblasters. We’ll cover some common misconceptions that employers, educators, and communities might have about skills-based hiring. We’ll also hear from leading employers on how they use ACT Workforce Solutions and the ACT® WorkKeys® system to help overcome these challenges. You’ll hear several different examples of employer success stories, and we provide a link to each featured resource.
Top Ten Myths of Skills-Based Hiring
Ten: Cognitive assessments aren’t relevant to specific jobs...2019-10-1216 min
Ready for WorkWorkforce Summit 2019 Preview (Bonus Episode)This bonus episode of Ready for Work includes information on the 2019 ACT Workforce Summit in Charlotte, NC, October 28-30. We chat with some of the presenters to give a sneak peek at the conference content. This episode wraps up with feedback from attendees of last year's summit. 2019-10-0309 min
Ready for Work11 Next Level Apprenticeship and Work-Based LearningWork-based or “on-the-job” learning through apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs benefits learners from all education and socioeconomic levels and put them on a fast track to high-wage, nationally portable careers.
In this episode of “Ready for Work," we talk to leaders in postsecondary education and business about the use of work-based learning programs at the community level and the personal and economic results that can be gained from creating such programs. Among the topics:
How work-based learning and apprenticeship enhance other training methods
How apprenticeships help learners who have not previously been successful in traditional education
The effect...2019-09-2831 min
Voices of ReasonWhy is workplace diversity and inclusion so important - and so difficult to achieve?On this episode of The Loudmouth Project's Voices of Reason, Jasen Lee and Amy Donaldson are talking about diversity and inclusion in the workplace with Sara Jones, founder & CEO of InclusionPro, which helps executives build inclusion and diversity at their companies and Olga Stoddard, assistant professor of Economics at Brigham Young University and senior research associate with the Science of Diversity Initiative — a collaboration of researchers and practitioners in the field of diversity.
2019-09-2442 min
Ready for Work10 The Work Ready Communities Journey to Regional ProsperityWork Ready Communities from ACT helps local areas align their resources and leadership for a competitive workforce that meets employer needs and generates regional prosperity. Today on Ready for Work, we’re covering the journey to become a Work Ready Community.2019-09-1226 min
Ready for Work9 Convergence of Education and Workforce Policy with Guest Dr. Jeff McCordDr. Jeff McCord has unique insight following a decades-long career of straddling the worlds of business and education. After 20 years in the private sector working for Fortune 300 companies and then as Vice President at Northeast State Community College in Tennessee, he has seen a pressing need for educators and business leaders to communicate in order to improve workforce development at the regional and national levels. In his current role as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, McCord stresses the need for practical execution in creating partnerships for the health of the workforce. In this episode o...2019-08-2214 min
Ready for Work8: Intentional Diversity and Inclusion with Guest Sherrell DorseyGuest Sherrell Dorsey, founder of The Plug Newsletter and BLKTECH Interactive, shares strategies to make diversity and inclusion initiatives intentional – from employment and culture in an organization to holistic and systematic change.2019-08-0918 min
Ready for Work7: Empowered Reentry and Essential Skills with Guest Tina ManusGuest Tina Manus took her experience as an educator and researcher to apply experiential problem-solving and interactive community building to build work readiness skills for individuals facing reentry from corrections.
The research, now referred to as the “Empowered Reentry Project,” was a 10-day program organized as a participatory action research project for nine returning citizens. The pilot program used essential skills assessment and its detailed score report, ACT® Tessera® Workforce, and the ACT® Tessera® Workforce Playbook respectively, as a pre- and post-test to measure skills identified by employers as necessary work ready skills.
Tina was inspired...2019-07-2625 min
Ready for Work6: Creating an Industry Career Map with Guest Joe SarubbiGuest Joe Sarubbi from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council shares why and how IREC created an interactive career map for the solar energy and climate control industries. Such tools can demonstrate career paths and the extent of opportunity within an industry. This episode builds upon the conversation about career pathways and stackable credentials from Episode 5 with Neil Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC). [Show Notes]
The interactive solar and climate control career maps provide robust information for individuals, including job demand, training information, and training locations. Ultimately, these tools provide awareness and the ability...2019-07-1116 min
Ready for Work5: Manufacturing Career Pathways with Guest Neil ReddyGuest Neil Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), shares how MSSC blazed the trail and created the gold standard for manufacturing skills. From career pathways to stackable credentials, the future of manufacturing is bright. [Show Notes]
Born out of the National Skill Standards Act of 1994, MSSC set out to create industry standards to develop certifications across multiple sectors. After working closely with over 4,000 front-line technicians from 700 different companies and 300 subject matter experts, MSSC developed a nationwide system of industry-led standards, assessments, and certifications for all sectors of manufacturing.
To this day, the...2019-06-2715 min
Ready for Work4: Getting Strategic About Doing with Guest Ed MorrisonGuest Ed Morrison applies the approach of “Strategic Doing” to workforce and economic development. Applying this newer model of strategic planning opens the door to solve complex challenges through productive collaboration. [Show Notes] [Bonus Content]
Founder of the Agile Strategy Lab at Purdue University, Ed developed a new discipline called Strategic Doing to shift from old strategy approaches that were designed for hierarchies and don’t work well in modern-day networks. To develop a strategy under this new approach, two questions must be answered: Where are we going? How will we get there?
Using Strategic Framework...2019-06-1319 min
Ready for Work3: Awarding Credit for Prior Learning and Curriculum Profiling with Guest Lynette LivingstonOne technical college in Wisconsin is blazing a new trail by offering college credit for core courses using prior learning assessment (PLA) – credits typically reserved for electives. Awarding PLA credit beyond electives has yielded unforeseen results for individuals and the institution. Guest Lynette Livingston, Executive Dean of Business, Arts, Sciences, and Academic Initiatives at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, shares how her institution started with curriculum profiling. [Show Notes]
The process of curriculum profiling helped CVTC evaluate how ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments correlated to a current core math course. Although hesitant initially, educators recognized the benefit of aw...2019-05-3019 min
Ready for Work2: Credentialing and Competency as Currency with Guest Katie HallTune in to see the impact that credentials have on education and workforce and economic development. Learn how The Competency Project is on a mission to use underlying competency as currency in education and in the labor market. The episode provides tools that can be used to level the playing field, make better use of workforce data, and make one-to-one comparisons.
Credentials are a way for individuals to communicate technical expertise. In this episode, we sit down with Katie Hall, director of The Competency Project at the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, to talk about all things...2019-05-1018 min
Ready for Work1: Role of Economic Development in the Workforce Ecosystem with Will CoppageDig deep into the role that economic development plays in the workforce ecosystem. In this episode, Will Coppage from the Washington County Economic Alliance shares how his community continues to overcome the challenges of being a rural county by taking a regional approach.2019-04-1917 min
Ready for Work0: Introducing Ready for WorkWe all have a stake in making our country more competitive. Closing the skills gap and driving economic growth starts at the grassroots level. Episode Zero delivers what to expect from the Ready for Work podcast. Plus, meet the host, Jasen Jones from the Work Ready Communities team at ACT.2019-04-1803 min
Podcast | Big Planet ComicsPodcast #126
We report on multiple trips to New York!
Plus, we review all these books:
All-New Captain America #1 – Rick Remender, Stuart Immonen
Captain American and the Mighty Avengers #1 – Al Ewing, Luke Ross
Deep State #1 – Justin Jordan, Ariela Kristantina
Django Zorro #1 – Quentin Tarantino, Matt Wagner, Esteve Polls
Drifter #1 – Ivan Brandon, Nic Klein
The Kitchen #1 – Ollie Masters, Ming Doyle
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream – Paul Allor, Michael & Laura Allred, Weshoyot Alvitre, Connie Appletree, Gabriel Bá, Peter Bagge, Fil Barlow, Jeremy Bastian, Jeremy Baum, Art Baxter, Alexandra Beguez, Gregory Benton, Stephen R. Bissette, Bo...2014-11-1400 min
Grab the Essential Full Audiobooks in Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science FictionCarnival by Elizabeth BearPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/270455to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Carnival
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Narrator: Celeste Ciulla
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 12 hours 13 minutes
Release date: June 20, 2008
Genres: Science Fiction
Publisher's Summary:
Garnering rave reviews from multiple publications, Elizabeth Bear is a rising voice in science fiction. Michelangelo Kisanagi-Jones and Vincent Katherinessen, former abassador-spies, have been ordered to New Amazonia to bring back information about the planet's cheap, renewable energy source. But secretly, one of the men devises other plans. '[An] action-packed, thought-provoking story.'-Booklist, starred review2008-06-2012h 13