Engaging Women in Manufacturing: WISE Pathway Resources for Partners

WISE pathways - Women in Sustainable Employment

The FREE WISE Pathways training materials were created with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor and were required to be OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES – online training materials that anyone can download and customize for their own purposes FOR FREE!

Adopt and Adapt Free Training Materials to Support Professional Development of Women in Advanced Manufacturing.

  • WISE Pathways welcomes educational institutions, organizations, and industries to adopt and adapt program materials and strategies to strengthen the workforce pipeline for women in advanced manufacturing.

  • WISE Pathways can help you plan and implement your custom-designed program for women.
    Contact us at director@hhwohio.org.


Looking High Quality and FREE Training Materials to Help Women Explore Careers in Advanced Manufacturing?

YOU’VE FOUND WHAT YOU NEED!

WISE Pathways For Partners provides a wealth of instructor presentation materials, lesson plans, student learning resources, guidance on student engagement, and templates to help women reflect on and explore career options.

You can download and edit materials FOR FREE! You can reuse, revise, remix, retain and redistribute these materials to meet your needs and goals. The only requirement is that you acknowledge WISE Pathways as the original source of these materials.

Click on the topics below and you will link to the SkillsCommons library where the workforce training materials can be easily downloaded.

WISE Pathways Curriculum You Can Adopt and Adapt FOR FREE

Session 1 – Welcome to WISE Pathways
This is session 1 of the WISE Pathways program. WISE Pathways is a career exploration course designed for women to explore non-traditional , in-demand jobs in the energy / utilities, construction, manufacturing, public safety, information technology and transportation industries. By completing all 16 sessions of the WISE Pathways program, women have the opportunity to learn about career paths, strategies in conflict management, team building, workplace expectations, resume creation, applying online, interviewing, and connecting with recruiters.
Session 2 – Work Habits
The Work Habits and Safety Awareness session covers a number of essential work habits such as dependability, professionalism, and safety awareness.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  • Explain the importance of first impressions
  • Select characteristics of a positive image
  • Identify behavior desired in the workplace (habits supervisors and co-workers like}
  • Identify safety requirements in the workplace
  • Know the importance of compliance with standards, regulations, and established procedures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
  • Know basic regulatory requirements that promote safe and effective operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Know the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees in creating and maintaining a workplace safety culture.
  • Identify knowledge and skill areas covered in the Applied Mathematics WorkKeys Assessment and answer sample questions.
Session 3 – Team Building
The Team Building Session helps facilitate the growth of the class as a learning community and a community of support. It is a chance to grow closer, build relationships, and think deliberately about communication skills that will be essential in every career field. Teamwork is an essential skill on the worksite. Participants will discuss the importance of communication skills and teamwork, and the application in both life and on the job, particularly with team-mates and co-workers.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Engage in a team building activity
  2. Discuss how effective communications skills are essential in leading and being a member of a team
  3. Determine one’s strengths and weaknesses in listening and set goals on how to improve one’s skills
Session 4 – Construction Industries
The Construction Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the construction industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The session includes background information on the industry and the five top in-demand construction industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials, and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the construction industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the construction industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the construction industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Identify knowledge and skill areas covered in the Applied Math WorkKeys Assessment and answer sample questions
Session 5 – Manufacturing Industries
The Manufacturing Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the manufacturing industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The opening session has a PowerPoint titled Manufacturing Industry Presentation, which has background information on the industry and the five top in-demand manufacturing industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the manufacturing industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the manufacturing industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the manufacturing industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Identify knowledge and skill areas covered in the Graphic Literacy WorkKeys Assessment and answer sample questions
Session 6 – Energy and Utility Industries
The Energy & Utilities Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the energy & utilities industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The opening session has a PowerPoint titled Energy & Utilities Industry Presentation, which has background information on the industry and the five top in-demand energy & utilities industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials, and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the energy & utilities industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the energy & utilities industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the energy & utilities industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Identify knowledge and skill areas covered in the Workplace Documents WorkKeys Assessment and answer sample questions
Session 7 – Public Safety Industries
The Public Safety Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the public safety industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The opening session has a PowerPoint titled Public Safety Industry Presentation, which has background information on the industry and the five top in-demand public safety industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the public safety industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the public safety industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the public safety industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Discuss a topic of relevance to the local community
Session 8 – Information Technology Industries
The Computer/IT Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the computer/IT industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The opening session has a PowerPoint titled Computer-IT Industry Presentation, which has background information on the industry and the five top in-demand computer/IT industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the computer/IT industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the computer/IT industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the computer/IT industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Discuss a topic of relevance to the local community
Session 9 – Transportation Industries
The Transportation Industry session focuses on career pathways for women in the transportation industry, including a panel of employer, trainer, and role model speakers from local employers. The opening session has a PowerPoint titled Transportation Industry Presentation, which has background information on the industry and the five top in-demand transportation industry jobs that pay family supporting wages. Salaries and detailed information on the “What do you do?” for each job is included as well as typical required education/credentials and resources.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the high growth careers available in the transportation industry and the knowledge and skill sets required for each
  2. Explain the typical education/credentialing requirements for career pathways
  3. Discuss on-the-job conditions in the transportation industry (provided by role model speakers)
  4. Identify next steps for credential attainment, training, and moving into the transportation industry (provided by employer partners)
  5. Discuss a topic of relevance to the local community
Session 10 – Resume Writing
Participants will bring draft resumes or descriptions of work histories and skills to be the start of their work in this session. This requirement will be described in the introduction session with reminders in subsequent sessions to bring this information for the resume writing session.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Identify content to include for work experience and skills
  2. Locate sources of information for content of resumes
  3. Understand the difference between types of resumes
  4. Select the best type for a given set of work experiences
  5. Prepare and print a resume
Session 11 – Sexual Harassment and Conflict Management
The sexual harassment and conflict management session presents the background on the laws, definition, and responsibilities of employers and employees to effectively respond to sexual harassment and facilitates discussion of relevant issues for women in the workplace. The session also includes information and activities about conflict management and strategies for good communication and cooperation.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  • Understand the basics of the laws about sexual harassment.
  • Understand the definition of sexual harassment.
  • Identify examples of sexual harassment behaviors.
  • Identify facts about sexual harassment.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of the employer, managers, supervisors, and employees in preventing and reporting sexual harassment.
  • Know how to deal with conflicts that arise in the workplace.
  • Recognize good communication techniques.
  • Identify cooperative behaviors.
Session 12 – Technical Skills
The technical skills portion of this session will present information on mechanical and spatial reasoning. After the introduction, participants will take two assessments and then discuss their results and strategies for completing the assessments successfully. Participants will also be given the opportunity to assess whether they might want to pursue further practice and coaching sessions before the need to complete the assessments as part of a hiring process. The session begins using the PowerPoint presentation to cover a description of the assessments and the kind of questions to expect. Next, participants will complete two assessments, discuss their approach to finding the correct answers and discuss whether they will need further practice. Also covered as part of this session is the EEi pre-employment testing. This will be required for most positions.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Define mechanical and spatial reasoning
  2. Recognize how these reasoning skills are used on the job
  3. Identify the knowledge and skill sets required for EEi pre-employment testing
Session 13 – Financial Management
This session includes the topics of Financial Management and focuses on the information and skills women need for financial success.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Examine the guide to a more balanced financial life.
  2. Understanding the difference between wants and needs.
  3. Develop a plan to begin an emergency fund.
  4. Identify different kinds of debt and how to avoid it.
Session 14 – Resume Review and Application Process
This session provides the participants the opportunity to meet with pilot company representatives, mentors, or resume coaches to review their resumes to get pointers for improvement and strengthening them. Participants will update their resumes based on the feedback they receive and information gathered since resumes were first written.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Identify strengths and weaknesses of their resumes
  2. Revise resume based on feedback
Session 15 – Interviewing and Networking
The Interviewing and Networking session uses the PowerPoint presentation to present information and exercises for the participants. Much information is also included in their binders and the facilitator will make sure participants can locate these materials to study outside class and reference later each time they prepare for an interview.
By the end of the session, participants will know how to prepare for interviews and will have some great ideas for networking.
The learning objectives for the session include:
  1. Identify how to prepare for an interview
  2. Know how to present oneself during an interview
  3. Define qualities of Performance-Based Interviews
  4. Recognize how to respond to questions
  5. Know how to respond to tricky questions
  6. Know how to ask questions during the interview
Session 16 – Graduation and Job Fair
The final session is a time of celebration, to recognize the accomplishments of each participant and the group as a whole. Encourage participants to invite two friends or family members and invite all who were involved including speakers and mentors.
Goals for this session are:
  1. To connect graduates to employers via an in-person job fair or by giving participants information about upcoming local job fairs and job boards.
  2. To connect graduates to additional training that may be required for employment and advancement.
  3. To have a graduation ceremony where Completion Certificates are given out.
  4. To have a graduation celebration.

EXPLORE HOW OTHERS HAVE ADOPTED AND ADAPTED WISE PATHWAYS
MATERIALS IN THEIR ORGANIZATION

(Case studies Soon To Be Available)


Interviewing Case Study

Image of big rig truck on a highway
Transportation Industry Case Study


Energy Industry Case Study


Looking for more information to include in your workforce development program?

HHW Ohio has created the WISE Career Pathways website that supports women exploring the world of non-traditional, in-demand technical jobs in industries where employers are seeking women to fill open positions.  You can use this wealth of information to enhance your workforce development program for women.

Woman with industrial saw


FREE VIDEOS YOU CAN MIX INTO YOUR PROGRAM:

Voices of Women Sharing Their Experiences in Manufacturing.


What Makes WISE Pathways Program Better?

WISE Program Overview

WISE Mentor Program


The WISE Pathways team is here to support your adoption and adaptation of these workforce development resources so you can help women into sustainable employment!

YOU CAN DO IT AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED!