Minnesota Department of
Economic Security
"Skill Attainment in Leadership
(SAIL) Program"
Summary
The Research & Planning Office contracted
with the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) to develop an Internet-based
tool that allows UMD students to document transferable skills they have
learned through out-of-classroom experiences. This application uses a modified
O*NET skills taxonomy in two self-assessment tests: a Co-curricular Transferable
Skills Survey and a Work Style Preference Survey. Users can then search
a database of out-of-classroom activities offered at UMD based on the transferable
skills that they wish to acquire. Finally, student can create a resume
attachment, called the Transferable Skills Record, that can be added to
the student's electronic portfolio, summarizing these experiences.
How is O*NET being
used?
The O*NET taxonomy was used as the basis
for defining the transferable skills. Based on user feedback, these skills
were re-categorized into four Domains: self-knowledge, effective communication,
process control (e.g., decision making, problem identification), and visioning.
The connection between students and non-classroom learning/working opportunities
takes place on the basis of these skills.
Who is your target
population?
The original target population was UMD
students. The portfolio is being expanded to the entire University of Minnesota
system and, pending funding, will be adapted by the Internet System for
Education and Employment Knowledge (ISEEK) for general public use.
What kind of results
is O*NET helping you to achieve?
O*NET helped students identify needed skills
and opportunities for acquiring those skills. Integration of the Portfolio
with other systems such as ISEEK will facilitate the matching of students'
capabilities with occupations and job opportunities.
What are the related
program initiatives?
O*NET may be incorporated into other aspects
of the electronic portfolio system as a future enhancement.
Is your product,
program or service available for others to use?
For more information on this project, you
may contact the SAIL project manager, Sally Cayenne, at (218) 726-8740
or scayan@d.umn.edu or visit the SAIL Web site: http://www.d.umn.edu/~kscenter/sail/sailCover.html
What other strategies
make your product, program or service successful?
Adjusting the skill categories and naming
conventions for ease of use while maintaining comparability with the original
O*NET taxonomy is essential for the success of this project.
Contact Information:
Marc Breton
Career Information Unit
Department of Economic Security
390 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
tele: 651-296-2072
e-mail: mbreton@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us
|