#United States #Missouri #employability skills #QA Commons #Justice-Impacted

Innovative Approaches for Justice-Impacted Learners' Employability

The pressing need for effective employability programs for justice-impacted individuals has recently gained attention with an innovative initiative spearheaded by QA Commons. This project, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) and the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN), seeks to enhance career preparation for those affected by the justice system. With support from the Ascendium Education Group, early insights from this initiative highlight how embedding crucial employability skills within postsecondary education can transform the lives of these learners.

Bridging the Gap

Traditionally, educational programs in correctional facilities focus primarily on technical skills or degree attainment. Michelle Deasy, Executive Director of QA Commons, articulates this gap: "We aim to explore how we can help learners understand and showcase professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, which are essential for long-term career success."

The program utilizes the Framework for Employability and Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) tailored specifically for correctional education settings. It emphasizes not just technical knowledge but also the soft skills necessary in the workplace, thus preparing justice-impacted individuals for a successful transition to employment.

Instructor Training and Curriculum Development

One noteworthy aspect of this initiative is the professional development program for Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors in Missouri. A comprehensive six-week training equips educators with strategies to integrate employability skills into existing vocational curricula such as culinary arts and business technology.

Several participating programs are currently undergoing the Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT) process, which assesses their effectiveness in developing critical capabilities. Evaluators noted the creativity of various CTE programs, pointing out their innovative approaches, including culturally relevant culinary projects that offer real-world learning experiences.

Overcoming Significant Challenges

Despite the promising advancements, the project reveals significant barriers that hinder the success of these initiatives. Factors such as limited access to technology, institutional regulations, and the complexities involved in reentry can complicate the implementation of digital credentialing and ongoing coaching relationships.

Nevertheless, one of the standout components of this initiative is the success coaching program launched in partnership with FICGN. This program trains individuals who have previously experienced incarceration to provide support and mentorship to those preparing for release.

The project's leaders highlighted the capabilities of the coaching cohort, which showcased remarkable qualities such as leadership and adaptability. Their participation underscores the value justice-impacted professionals could bring to workplaces, despite facing systemic biases in hiring practices.

Reframing Perspectives on Employability

Interestingly, findings extend beyond the coaching initiative, challenging longstanding views on the employability of incarcerated persons. Researchers discovered that the structured environment of prisons fosters transferable skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving—attributes often overlooked in personal career narratives.

Michelle Deasy emphasizes a paradigm shift: "We should not only focus on barriers to reentry but also consider the hurdles faced in achieving advancement and leadership positions in their careers."

Future Directions

QA Commons plans to leverage these insights in its ongoing efforts with various educational institutions and workforce organizations. Although the project primarily addressed justice-impacted learners, the findings resonate in broader contexts, highlighting common struggles in capability development and recognition across multiple sectors.

As we work towards an educational framework that fosters employability for all individuals, including those with justice histories, there lies a significant opportunity to enhance long-term career growth and reduce biases that impede potential success.

This initiative stands as a beacon of hope and progress, paving the way for systemic changes that support the empowerment of previously incarcerated individuals in their pursuit of meaningful careers.