CATEP Workforce Partners

In survey after survey – local, national, and international – employers in technical fields say the same thing consistently and continuously: a major reason for new employee attrition is that they are lacking many of the so-called “soft skills”. These include:

• Interpersonal skills (i.e. dealing with co-workers and Customers)
• Written and verbal communication skills (including presentation skills)
• Teamwork and collaboration skills (i.e. working in teaming environments and collaborating with associates or other companies)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (i.e. applying knowledge and experience to new and unique problems)
• Self-management/motivation skills (i.e. working with little or no supervision)
• Contextual knowledge of work responsibilities (what effects does my work have on other parts of the company and the company as a whole)

The NSF CATEP grant to ACC and Aims Community Colleges allows us to partner with local workforce agencies that have the knowledge and capabilities to help define the specific soft skill needs of local industry, as well as the contacts necessary to implement the faculty externships, student internships, and student job shadowing experiences required. CATEP is therefore seeking workforce agencies that want to join in becoming part of the solution to the soft skills deficiencies identified by industry nationwide and worldwide.
As a CATEP partner, you will be able to participate in Mini Tech Fairs – where students, parents, and educators have a chance to hear directly from you and industry representatives about life on the job – which are offered twice per year. You will also be part of the CATEP Advisory Board (CAB) with valuable inputs to the CATEP processes. The CAB meets at least twice per year and helps shape the implementation of the CATEP grant.
BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION BY BECOMING A PARTNER!
See list of the CATEP Current Partners