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Problem Statement

2500 characters or fewer. There are 4 questions:
Using your region's Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan and your region's Labor Market Information, explain the problem this proposed grant project is trying to solve.
Identify the sector/industry challenges or needs this proposed grant project will address with the local/regional sector/industry data that supports the stated challenges or needs, including information about the wage rate and demand for skilled workers.
Identify the need or opportunity to create alignment with your Community College partner(s) that this K12 SWP project will address.
Provide data that identifies equity gaps on how student subgroups (e.g., race, gender, socioeconomics, unduplicated) access, experience opportunities, and complete high school coursework that are aligned to high-potential CTE programs at disproportionate rates. Specifically, include evidence from demographic, enrollment and completion data to substantiate the targeted student population to be served.

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How do you identify a problem?

Drop ideas in chat or share
Root Cause Analysis – Fishbone Diagram
Student Focus Groups
Informal collegial discussion with teachers, CC, industry
Can be challenging expressing – take your time with it

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West Ed problem statement stem sentence

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Equity Strategies

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Problem Sample

Local industry needs:
Student needs:
Community College connects them through:
Equity need:�
Local industry needs: Cybersecurity specialists, preferably diverse
Student needs: Certification, internship, transition from K12-CC
Community College connects them through: CTE Cybersecurity Pathway
Equity need: Program recruitment and completion

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John Middleton, ACE Charter High

Based on last year's application, what was the problem you were trying to solve?
How were you trying to solve the problem?
Why do you think this proposal was not funded?
What would you have done differently?
What do you plan to do this year?

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Ace Charter - Problem Statement

For this year's application, what is the problem for the employer or industry?
What is the problem for the students you're trying to serve?
Who is your identified population and what makes this problem different for them?
How do you see your Community College partnering to resolve the problem?

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What is your problem?

What is the industry problem?
What is the student need?
How does the community college help resolve the two issues?
What is the problem?
What is the solution?

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Mini-outline

Using your region's Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan and your region's Labor Market Information, explain the problem this proposed grant project is trying to solve.
LARC – ICT needs, growth
CoE – ICT needs, growth
Explain need for drone certification, innovative tech opportunities

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A start…

Using your region's Strong Workforce Program Regional Plan and your region's Labor Market Information, explain the problem this proposed grant project is trying to solve.

Ventura County is experiencing a growing demand for certified Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals, particularly in emerging IT areas. This trend reflects the region's evolving economic landscape and its increasing reliance on advanced technologies across various sectors. The county is recognizing the need to modernize their operations and leverage cutting-edge technologies to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. Emerging IT areas are becoming crucial for businesses in Ventura County. These technologies offer opportunities for improved efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, and innovative product development. However, the rapid pace of technological advancement has created a skills gap, with many companies struggling to find qualified professionals to implement and manage these new systems.
[ADD REGIONAL DATA - # OF ANTICIPATED JOBS, SALARY. SAME FOR COE]
The ICT Project will prepare K12 students for ICT certification and preparation for competitive employment. 1028 characters

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Question 2 – Sector, Data

Identify the sector/industry challenges or needs this proposed grant project will address with the local/regional sector/industry data that supports the stated challenges or needs, including information about the wage rate and demand for skilled workers.

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Question 3 – CC partner

Identify the need or opportunity to create alignment with your Community College partner(s) that this K12 SWP project will address.Specifically cite the CC pathway

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Question 4 – equity gaps

Provide data that identifies equity gaps on how student subgroups (e.g., race, gender, socioeconomics, unduplicated) access, experience opportunities, and complete high school coursework that are aligned to high-potential CTE programs at disproportionate rates. Specifically, include evidence from demographic, enrollment and completion data to substantiate the targeted student population to be served.

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