ST. PAUL, Minn – Senator Susan Kent and Representative Ryan Winkler announced legislation designed to promote college readiness and career advancement for students, while providing employers new tools to access skilled workers. The initiative combines existing projects and technologies to create an online portfolio system for K-12 and college students to manage their education and career information and transition into the workforce.
“This initiative helps position our workforce for the future,” said Senator Kent. “It leverages technology and program innovations developed by MnSCU and the University of Minnesota to provide online tools for students to succeed in college and to advance their careers.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of the fastest growing jobs in the United States require some sort of education after high school. “This collaboration creates an efficient transition for students to move from post-secondary education to the job market, and for employers to find the qualified workers they need” said Representative Winkler.
The Itasca Group, a coalition of Minnesota’s largest private employers, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities are already advancing this approach in Minnesota and coordinating with public and private colleges and business to help design a system that meets the needs of employers. The goal is to tailor programs to students seeking proficiency certification at any age or station in life, or to employers' specific needs.
In addition, the MN Career and College Readiness Collaborative, which includes MnSCU, U of MN, Minnesota Department of Education and MN Learning Commons, has called for a Minnesota Statewide Digital Portfolio System to support the transition from K-12 to college.
“In Minnesota, we’re fortunately ahead of the curve and can leverage award-winning solutions like eFolioMinnesota and GPS LifePlan to address these goals,” said Rep. Winkler. “And because of the scalability of technology, we can provide these tools and programs to all students and job-seekers, public and private, in every corner of the state, efficiently and effectively.”
eFolioMinnesota is an online portfolio system developed in partnership with MnSCU and the U of MN for higher education. GPS LifePlan, developed at Century College, helps students set goals and design plans that will lead them to college and career success.
“Using this technology, our students and workers will go beyond the traditional paper résumé and easily build the résumé of the future -- a multimedia Web portfolio that helps plan their education and career path, and demonstrates their accomplishments and skills,” Sen. Kent added.
Under the legislation, the MN Learning Commons, an existing interagency collaborative, will be charged with implementing the career success infrastructure to serve all schools and students in Minnesota, from K-12 to college. They will promote efficiencies and reduce costs, and the legislation calls for utilizing and enhancing existing state assets, tools and services.
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