COMPACT, under the leadership of Chairman Tony Coletta, Vice President of Human Resources at Advocate BroMenn, is comprised of over 50 community leaders representing the diverse organizations that make up the McLean County workforce and talent development network. We have industry experts, business professionals, and entrepreneurs from across a multitude of specialties, including agriculture, information technology, education, and logistics, manufacturing, and health services so COMPACT is able to represent the industries and businesses that make the community a vibrant economic ecosystem. These individuals have committed significant time and resources to fulfill the goals outlined in the BNAdvantage strategy while identifying ways to address and meet the talent pipeline needs of McLean County employers. 

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT – Seeking cooperation and partnership with representatives from business and industry as well as public workforce agencies to ensure that supporting experience, curricula and instruction are closely aligned with the labor market needs resulting in job placement and career success for students and employers in McLean County.

2018 Identified Work Areas:

1. 7-12 grade career exploration and mentoring platform acquisition, implementation and integration.
2. External communication on the programs and projects that require employer support/participation.
3. Develop and implement a student retention aimed at making students see Bloomington-Normal as a choice destination to live, work, play, and engage.
4. Develop and deploy an employability skills curriculum to meet employer demands.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & ALIGNMENT - Identifying the means and materials with which students will interact for the purpose of achieving identified educational outcomes.  For the BN Advantage, it’s inclusive of the lessons and academic content relating to the needs identified and outlined by McLean County employers. 

2018 Identified Work Areas:

1. Continue the curriculum evaluation and pathway development for the six (6) identified industries in the BN Advantage strategy.
2. Evolve the talking points and employability skill examples for a PR campaign to be designed for students, teachers, parents and businesses.
3. Work specifically with the ROE to engage in teacher workshops/institutes in districts throughout the County (all teachers, not just CTE) about the work they are doing as it relates to the BNA.

PROGRAM EVALUATION & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT – Assessing evidence of workforce development success based on project goals, products and outcomes; analyzing metrics to continuously improve the effectiveness of project activities.

2018 Identified Work Areas:

1. Develop the logic models and plan to support COMPACT goals.
2. Oversee and assist in the development of logic models for COMPACT partners.
3. Work with MCRPC on the metrics and activities being monitored and reported.
4. Provide reporting for communications both internal (BNA) and external (Community and Investors)

COMMUNITY – Uniting public, non-profit, private, and philanthropic sector leaders to implement county-wide solutions that will move the needle on outcomes related to milestones along the cradle-to-career continuum for children in McLean County

2018 Identified Work Areas:

1. Align community support organization goals with COMPACT goals to ensure continuity of efforts.

STEM – Key stakeholders are engaging with a defined portfolio of STEM initiatives that establish the county as a premier location for education and experiences in STEM, while creating a talent pipeline for new and existing local businesses. 

2018 Identified Work Areas:

            1. Increase/Provide STEM experiences for students to encourage thinkers and doers

            2. Create Co­-ops of Innovation for target markets

            3. Create learning networks at the subject and grade level for educators

            4. Provide professional development workshops in STEM related areas

            5. Provide access to a portfolio of STEM related resources to promote seamless integration across the curriculum

            6. Create inventory of all STEM related activities outside of formal STEM initiative

            7. Develop a communication plan to educate public around STEM related initiatives