The FastTRAC Initiative helps local partnerships to operate adult career pathways programs in high-demand career fields. FastTRAC partners select and fund these local programs though a competitive selection process.
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Current Grantees - Adult Career Pathways 2012
Current Grantees - Adult Career Pathways 2011
Past Grantees
Adult Career Pathways 2012
In August 2012, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded eighteen grants to the following Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathway partnerships.
Anoka Healthcare / Nursing Pathways
This project focuses on Universal Health Care Worker in Older Adult Services Certificate training with a special focus on low-income households. Bridge training has an Introduction to Medical Terminology, foundational skills in reading, writing and math with a healthcare focus and building computer literacy skills. Integrated courses include credit based Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, and Introduction to Holistic Healing. Vocational guidance, job placement and retention supports will be provided.
Fergus Falls Pathway to Health Care Careers
This project offers individuals multiple opportunities to explore healthcare careers and to academically prepare to become employed. Students will be provided the foundational education to continue into the Integrated Anatomy and Physiology classes that are the foundation of many healthcare program requirements. Students will gain confidence in the college process, procedures and technology requirements, and may have a job shadowing opportunity at a healthcare facility. An online college orientation will be completed by each participant that includes technology requirements, financing your education and college policies and procedures to ensure understanding of college expectations.
Bemidji Healthcare Career Pathway
This project offers individuals multiple opportunities to explore healthcare careers and to academically prepare to become employed. Students will be provided the foundational education to continue into the Integrated Anatomy and Physiology classes that are the foundation of many healthcare program requirements. Students will gain confidence in the college process, procedures and technology requirements, and may have a job shadowing opportunity at a healthcare facility. An online college orientation will be completed by each participant that includes technology requirements, financing your education and college policies and procedures to ensure understanding of college expectations.
Brainerd Manufacturing Career Pathway
This project offers individuals multiple opportunities to explore manufacturing careers and to academically prepare to become employed. Students will be provided the foundational education in Basic Computer and Writing/Math Skills then continue into the Integrated Computer Fundamentals and Introduction to Manufacturing/Math Skills classes. These classes are the foundation of many Manufacturing program requirements. Students will gain confidence in the college process, procedures and technology requirements, and may have a job shadowing opportunity at a manufacturing facility. A college orientation will be completed by each participant that includes technology requirements, financing your education and college policies and procedures to ensure understanding of college expectations.
Duluth Pathways to Health Care Careers
This project provides access to healthcare career entry via the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Trained Medical Administration (TMA) certificates. Individuals are prepared to enter the workforce directly and/or if desire and interest identified, will receive support to enroll in college. Next steps in education on the health career ladder, e.g. Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.
Ramsey Medical Careers Pathway - Medical Office Certificate
This project will offer a Medical Office Certificate and explore additional pathways in medical careers. Course includes Medical Terminology and Health Information Foundations. Computer keyboarding and technology is embedded throughout the curriculum. Students will also have the ability to complete a Career Assessment upon initial student orientation and prior to entering the integrated class.
Saint Paul Medical Careers Pathway - Certified Nursing Assistant
This project has three aims. (1) It enables students to bridge the sizeable gap between ABE and college courses by offering more thorough, comprehensive college preparation in analytical reading, academic writing, computer use, and math. (2) It links and enhances pre-existing pre-CNA and CNA certificate programs. (3) It supports students bound for a variety of medical careers with a pre-Anatomy & Physiology option that transitions into a college-level A&P course, a “credible predictor” of future academic success.
Saint Paul Child Development
This program builds upon the success of the child development bridge programming currently offered by SPPS ABE. This three step bridge program prepares ABE clients for entry into the Child Development Career Pathway. The first step, Child Development 1 focuses on concepts and vocabulary for students at a TABE level 4.9-5.8. Child Development 2 helps students who are testing at a TABE 5.9-6.9 gain knowledge in Early Childhood Development. Child Development 3 is for students who are TABE testing at 7.0-12.9. This class transitions learners into the college where they will focus on the Minnesota Core Competencies for Early Childhood Practitioners.
Enhanced West Metro Pathway to Healthcare Careers
This project will offer Intro to Health Care, Nursing Assistant Preparation, and/or Medical Terminology as a bridge to prepare disadvantaged students to enter a healthcare education and career track. Upon completion of the bridge course students take a Nursing Assistant college course with integrated instruction. In addition, the Nursing Assistant course incorporates specific work culture, career exploration and career planning within the broad field of healthcare, provide students with career development skills needed in entry-level healthcare professions, and prepare students to successfully use computers in future college-level courses. The enhanced project includes another ABE partner and training site to accommodate students in the north west metro.
Manufacturing Futures
This partnership will expand the Minnesota FastTRAC model of instruction to utilize the expertise of ABE partners in the region to provide instruction in core studies courses as entry to manufacturing programs in demand by area employers. Target population is non-traditional learners, including incumbent workers.
Pathways for Skilled Healthcare Workers
This program provides the necessary reading, math, computer literacy, and work readiness skills contextualized to the employment in an office setting. Basic academic skills will be integrated with relevant office tasks for assignments and group projects. Participants will have access to the StrengthsFinders assessment; strengths based training and personal empowerment training. The Integrated courses include Business Communications, Customer Service and General Office Procedures to prepare them for entering the Work Experience program. This program is a partnership with area employers to gain on-the-job experience preparing program participants to enter into gainful employment.
Pharm Tech Futures
This project includes introduction to medical terminology, the language of customer service in health care settings, contextualized reading and math, work readiness and soft skills training, and career assessments to build core skills needed for employment. Individuals will be able to participate in the Pharm Tech Futures program including the Healthcare Core Curriculum, Science Foundations, Medical Terminology and Pharm Tech courses allowing for stackable credentials within the Pharmacy career pathway.
Service Excellence
This project includes introduction to medical terminology, the language of customer service in health care settings, contextualized reading and math, work readiness and soft skills training, and career assessments to build core skills needed for employment. Individuals will be able to participate in the Pharm Tech Futures program including the Healthcare Core Curriculum, Science Foundations, Medical Terminology and Pharm Tech courses allowing for stackable credentials within the Pharmacy career pathway.
South Central Health Care Career Pathway
The purpose of this project is to increase the basic skill levels of students while concurrently providing exposure and introduction to basic nursing skills. The curriculum will include contextualized instruction in workplace reading, writing, speaking and math based on the needs of students. Integrated classes include Nursing Assistant and Medical Terminology. Work readiness skills will be addressed through the National Career Readiness Credential assessment.
South Central Manufacturing Pathway
The purpose of this project is to increase basic skill levels of adult learners while concurrently providing exposure and introduction to the manufacturing industry and basic manufacturing skills. The curriculum will include contextualized instruction in workplace reading, writing, speaking and math based on the needs of students. Integrated classes include Measurement, Materials & Safety and Job Planning, Benchwork & Lay-out. Work readiness skills will be addressed through the National Career Readiness Credential assessment.
Universal Health Care Worker
This project offers comprehensive career and technical training and certification sessions for the Universal Healthcare Worker comprised of ten segments, each with the ability to be taken independently or as part of the entire credentialing program, be accessible through several points of entry, and utilize delivery sites easily accessible to the greater number of participants and where employment opportunities have been identified. Computer literacy, soft skill training and resume/job search/preparation will be provided to individuals prior to entering the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Assistant, Medical Terminology, First Aid/CPR/AED, Trained Medication Administration (online), Infection Control for Laundry, Blanding Broadband Knowledge Worker (online) and Serve Safe Food Handling License courses.
Southeast Minnesota FastTRAC Integrated Welding Program
Beginning Fall Semester, partners will be planning and offering Bridge programming through ABE to prepare students for integrated coursework Spring semester at their local college. Integrated coursework will include credit-based safety and welding programming leading to industry credentials. Integrated courses lead to either 16 or 17 credit Welding Technology certificate or into the two-year Industrial Maintenance, Building, Utility, Maintenance (BUM), or Mechatronics Engineering diploma and degree programs at the partnering MnSCU colleges.
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc.
Beginning Fall Semester, partners will be planning and offering occupational bridge prep programming through three regional Adult Basic Education programs to prepare students for integrated coursework spring semester at their local college. Integrated coursework will include credit-based allied health courses and business career coursework.
Adult Career Pathways 2011 back to top
Seventeen Minnesota FastTRAC Adult Career Pathways partherships are up and running across Minnesota, receiving over $1.6 million in funding from the Greater Twin Cities United Way, the Minnesota Department of Education - Adult Basic Education, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Back to top
Pathway to Health Care Career Success
This project offers individuals multiple opportunities to explore healthcare careers and to academically prepare to become employed. Students receive the foundational education to continue into the Integrated Anatomy and Physiology classes that are the cornerstone of many healthcare program requirements. Students gain confidence in the college process, procedures and technology requirements, and may have an opportunity to learn with professionals a healthcare facility. An online college orientation will be completed by each participant that includes technology requirements, financing education, and college policies and procedures to ensure understanding of college expectations.
Pathway to Manufacturing Career Success
This project introduces students to manufacturing occupational choices, piques students' interest and desire to make manufacturing their career choice. The students prepare for college manufacturing classes, develop personal and academic skills necessary for successful participation in college-level manufacturing courses, and complete the Basic Machining Processes Course and Introduction to Computers Course.
Success Skills for Office Assistants
This program provides the necessary reading, math, computer literacy, and work readiness skills for employment in an office setting. Basic academic skills are integrated with relevant office tasks for assignments and group projects. Participants have access to the StrenghtsQuest assessment; strengths based training and personal empowerment training. The Integrated courses include Business Communications, Customer Service and General Office Procedures to prepare students for entering the Work Experience program. This program is a partnership with area employers to gain on-the-job experience preparing program participants to enter into gainful employment.
Pathways to Health Care Careers
This project provides access to healthcare via the Certified Nursing Assistant and Trained Medical Administration certificates. Individuals prepare to either enter the workforce directly or to enroll in further education on the career ladder, e.g. Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programs. On-line learning options are available throughout the program, and digital literacy courses are provided to those in need.
Health Informatics Pathway
This project prepares individuals to enter into the Phlebotomy Technician Certificate program. Individuals participate in Medical Terminology, Pharmacology and Computer Technology. Prior to enrolling into these courses basic reading, writing, math and computer technology skills are provided.
Universal Health Care Worker
This project offers comprehensive career and technical training and certification sessions for the Universal Healthcare Worker comprised of ten segments, each with the ability to be taken independently or as part of the entire credentialing program, be accessible through several points of entry, and utilize delivery sites easily accessible to the greater number of participants and where employment opportunities have been identified. Computer literacy, soft skill training and resume/job search/preparation will be provided to individuals prior to entering the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Assistant, Medical Terminology, First Aid/CPR/AED, Trained Medication Administration (online), Infection Control for Laundry, Blanding Broadband Knowledge Worker (online) and Serve Safe Food Handling License courses.
South Central Health Care Career Pathway
The purpose of this project is to increase the basic skill levels of students while concurrently providing exposure and introduction to basic nursing skills. The curriculum includes contextualized instruction in workplace reading, writing, speaking and math based on the needs of students. Integrated classes include Nursing Assistant and Medical Terminology. Work readiness skills are addressed through the National Career Readiness Credential assessment.
Early Childhood Education
This project provides an opportunity for individuals to secure stackable credentials within childhood education. Students learn study skills, reading and writing for college, math and computer literacy skills, receive career counseling, and participate in the 2 to 3 semester Child Development program earning credits toward an early childhood certificate, diploma and/or degree.
Rochester Community & Technical College Mayo C.N.A. FastTRAC Program
This project focuses on the Certified Nursing Assistant, Hospital Certified Nursing Assistant, English, Medical Terminology and Introduction to Psychology courses. Participants are assisted with career planning and employment plan development to ensure a smooth transition through training to employment.
South Central College Healthcare FastTRAC Program
This project assists participants in successfully completing the Basic Nursing, Medical Terminology and First Year Experience courses as well as provides opportunities to discover various career pathways within health care via the Healthcare Academy/Discover Healthcare Careers classes. Individuals participate in career planning and employment plan development.
Enhanced West Metro Pathway to HealthCare Careers
This project offers Introduction to Health Care, Nursing Assistant Preparation, and/or Medical Terminology as a bridge to prepare disadvantaged students to enter a healthcare education and career track. Upon completion of the bridge course, students take a Nursing Assistant college course with integrated instruction. In addition, the Nursing Assistant course incorporates specific work culture, career exploration and career planning within the broad field of healthcare, provide students with career development skills needed in entry-level healthcare professions, and prepare students to successfully use computers in future college-level courses. The enhanced project includes another ABE partner and training site to accommodate students in the north west metro.
Pharm Tech Futures
This project includes introduction to medical terminology, the language of customer service in health care settings, contextualized reading and math, work readiness and soft skills training, and career assessments to build core skills needed for employment. Individuals will be able to participate in the Pharm Tech Futures program including the Healthcare Core Curriculum, Science Foundations, Medical Terminology and Pharm Tech courses allowing for stackable credentials within the Pharmacy career pathway.
North Minneapolis FastTRAC
This program will initiate multiple career pathways. ABE will provide bridge programming to build skills within a chosen occupational sector. After completion, students will be supported through the first level certificate in culinary or advanced manufacturing.
Anoka Healthcare/Nursing Pathways
This project focuses on Universal Health Care Worker in Older Adult Services Certificate training with a special focus on low-income households. Courses identified include Introduction to Medical Terminology, foundational skills in reading, writing and math with a healthcare focus and building computer literacy skills. Integrated courses include credit based On Course, Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, and Introduction to Holistic Healing. Students learn about Culture Change and Directing and Supporting Activities for Older Adults. Vocational guidance, job placement and retention supports is provided.
Ramsey Medical Careers Pathway
This project offers a Medical Records Clerk Certificate and explores additional pathways in medical careers. Course includes Medical Terminology and Health Information Foundations. Computer keyboarding and technology is embedded throughout the curriculum. Students also have the ability to complete a Career Assessment upon initial student orientation and prior to entering the Integrated class.
Saint Paul EMS Academy
This project offers a holistic approach to providing EMS training to youth/ single parents age 18 – 24 within low-income households where income is at or below 80% of the metro area median income. The program is dedicated to identifying participant barriers and addressing them head on with the goals of diversifying Minnesota’s Emergency Medical Technician profession and the Saint Paul Fire Department.
St. Paul Medical Careers Pathway
This project has three aims: (1) thorough, comprehensive college preparation in analytical reading, academic writing, computer use, and math; (2) link and enhance pre-existing CNA Prep and CNA certificate programs; (3) support students bound for a variety of medical careers with an Anatomy & Physiology Prep option that transitions into a college-level A&P course, a “credible predictor” of future academic success.