Presentation by Diana Robinson and Brian Harger to the The Governor's Summit on Work-Based Learning at Illinois Central College in East Peoria on Monday, October 1 2018.

1. Work-based Learning as a
Lever for Economic and
Workforce Development
Diana Robinson, Director
Brian Harger, Research Associate
Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University
Governor’s Summit on Workforce Development
East Peoria, Illinois
October 1, 2018

2. A Demographic Transition is Taking Place
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health, 2014.
Under 20 Years
Age Groups
20 to 64 Years
65 Years & Older
3%
-94,204
53%
853,153
Change20252010
27%
3,489,224
26%
3,395,020
60%
7,737,825
56%
7,400,557
13%
1,614,931
19%
2,468,084
State of Illinois
4%
-337,268

3. A Demographic Transition is Taking Place
The impacts of this transition will be felt statewide, but
will not be the same in all areas.
• Chicago metro area - smallest percentage loss of youth and
working-age groups; senior population to increase over 60%.
• Downstate metros - lose a greater share of youth than the
Chicago metro area; senior population to grow by 44%.
• Rural counties - the greatest impacts: youth and seniors will
be roughly equal to the working age population in many areas.

4. Potential Impacts…
• Unemployment rates will continue to fall, mostly because
there are fewer working-age people.
• Many workers are staying in the workforce after 65, but
may be insufficient to make up for fewer young workers.
• Slower economic growth with fewer people working while
many business face chronic labor shortages.
• Automation and new technologies will create higher-
skilled and better paying jobs, but also risk leaving many
workers unemployable without retraining.

5. Challenges Going Forward
Maintaining economic growth in an era of
limited resources
• Continued decline of youth and working-aged
population.
• Growing dependent population groups with
increasing demands for public services.
• Reduced tax revenues and increasing share of the
burden falling on fewer taxpayers.
• Automation will have a significant impact on the
workforce and economy.

6. What Can be Done?
What are we doing differently that will produce a
better workforce result?
• Reconnecting the pieces of a fragmented public sector
workforce system.
• Focusing on retaining the existing talent pool.
• Making it easier to access the education and training
needed to qualify for good jobs and satisfying careers.

7. What is being Done?
A Unified Vision
• Key state plans aligned on workforce…
• WIOA unified state plan.
• IWIB’s strategic plan.
• ICCB’s workforce education strategic plan.
• ISBE’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan.
• Emphasizes employer involvement in building a 21st
Century workforce.
• Moving from a fragmented and uncoordinated service
delivery to multi-agency collaboration.

8. What is Being Done?
State Level Collaboration
• Illinois Workforce Innovation Board
• Oversees 16 state agencies involved in meeting Illinois’ workforce
needs.
• Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth
• Championed the creation of Illinois’ innovative Apprenticeship
Plus initiative.
• Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act
• Requires that K-12 school districts, postsecondary education,
employers, other partners coordinate their workforce efforts.
• Creates endorsements for high school diplomas … and more.

9. What is Being Done?
Supportive Federal Legislation
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Largest source of federal funds for workforce development
• Opens door for sector partnerships and career pathway models
• Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
• Aligns with WIOA.
• Better matching of performance indicators.
• Increased emphasis on business and industry.
• Helps connect education and workforce development.

10. What is Being Done?
Keeping Talent in Illinois
• College affordability.
• New and expanded sources of financial assistance.
• Incentives for Illinois students to stay in Illinois.
• MAP grants, credit transfer, dual credit.
• Connecting talent with employers through work-based
learning.
• When a student or worker goes to a workplace or works with
an employer.
• Meaningful job tasks that develop skills, knowledge, and
readiness to enter or advance in the workforce.

11. What is Being Done?
Work-based learning is a game-changer…
• Helps make classroom learning relevant.
• Conveys employer expectations.
• Informs career choices.
… But employers must be involved!

12. What is Being Done?
Employers Can Invest in a Range of Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Source: Illinois State Career Pathways Dictionary.

13. Contact
Diana L. Robinson
Director
Center for Governmental Studies
Northern Illinois University
148 North Third Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
drobinsin@niu.edu
815.753.0955
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-robinson/
Further Information
https://www.cgs.niu.edu
Contact
Brian L. Harger
Research Associate
Center for Governmental Studies
Northern Illinois University
148 North Third Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
bharger@niu.edu
815.753.0934
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianharger/
https://www.slideshare.net/BrianHarger/
https://www.cgs.niu.edu