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10 <br /> Strategy 1. Identify career clusters and specific job pathways to identify key knowledge and skills that <br /> students need to perform in defined career areas. <br /> In the National Association of Manufacturers 2005 Skills Gap Report, "technical skills" was the top <br /> response to the question, "What types of skills will employees need more of over the next three years?"4 <br /> While many career opportunities include a strong element of on-the-job training, some of these technical <br /> or industry-based skills must be acquired in advance. For example, technical skills are required for <br /> licensure in many professions, such as in most health care fields, or for broader industry certifications, <br /> such as the American Welding Society's Certified Welder credential. <br /> Through the States Career Clusters Initiatives, business and industry leaders have identified key <br /> knowledge and skill statements across 16 career clusters and 79 more-specific pathways. These <br /> statements represent what students need to know and be able to do to be successful in the specified <br /> career area. Locally in Orange County, action steps could include <br /> 1. Working closely with employers to assess labor market needs of employers, including the <br /> development of an Orange County Career Clusters Initiative <br /> 2. Developing a broadly focused career and technical education program to support foundational <br /> knowledge and skill building; and <br /> 3. Connecting youth to existing organizations and programs that support the development of specific <br /> pathway-level skills to hone students' abilities in more defined career areas <br /> Strategy 2. Expand the capacity of organizations and programs that support the development of 21st <br /> Century Skills(also referred to as the New Basic Skills). <br /> In Teaching the New Basic Skills, authors Richard Murnane (Harvard University) and Frank Levy(MIT) <br /> researched the skills required for entry-level jobs at most American companies, and found that they go <br /> beyond what the SAT tests for.These skills include: <br /> • Oral Presentation:The ability to speak to an audience with confidence using eye contact and <br /> body language, developing coherent and well-organized content. <br /> • Teamwork:The ability to work effectively and solve problems in a diverse team by working in <br /> groups, encouraging others, and giving and receiving feedback. <br /> • Leadership:The ability to make decisions, establish goals, volunteer to help others, and be a role <br /> model. <br /> • Data Analysis:The ability to solve problems using data (qualitative and quantitative),test <br /> hypotheses, draw conclusions, and interpret and communicate data. <br /> • Advanced Literacy:The ability to use new vocabulary, communicate effectively in writing, use <br /> critical reading skills, and make inferences from what is read. <br /> • Technology:The ability to identify and use technology as a tool. <br /> In addition to foundational academic knowledge,students will need 21st Century Skills to foster the ability <br /> to apply academic knowledge to authentic situations they may face in their careers. We recommend <br /> 4 National Association of Manufacturers, "2005 Skills Gap Report—A Survey of the American Manufacturing <br /> Workforce" <br /> 5 States Career Clusters Initiative,www.careerclusters.org. <br /> 8 <br />