Description

Dr. Belinda Cole started her career with the OK Department of Career Tech as a Career Specialist following her work as a school counselor and teacher. She became the first state coordinator of Career Guidance at the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech. She was promoted to associate state director for Career and Support Services at the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech.

At the national level, she was the first woman elected as ACTE Guidance Division Vice-President. Her numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to career and technical education include: Outstanding Educator for ACTE, the President’s Award from the Oklahoma Association for Minorities in Career and Technology Education and the Arch Alexander Award for outstanding career contributions to Oklahoma CTE. She served as the first Francis Tuttle Endowed Chair for Occupational Education Studies at Oklahoma State University and was inducted into the Oklahoma Career Tech Hall of Fame.

At present she is consulting in the career and technical education area.

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION: Why would I ever advise clients/students to forgo a university degree? If you’ve ever had that thought, this webinar is for you.  More and more companies are emphasizing skills over school in their hiring process and the education community is starting to pay attention.  This webinar will provide information about options for high quality  education that do not include a four-year degree, that costs less but offers great opportunity in the workplace.  Options for dual high school and college credit, apprenticeships, stackable credentials and rising interest by employers in certifications and credentials rather than degrees will be identified and discussed.  Be ready with the latest opportunities with the hottest trend in workforce education.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understand the “winning” options for students to gain in-demand skills for tomorrow’s economy
• How to find and use credible data and trends about education and employment
• Understand strategies to “stack” lower cost educational options culminating in a desirable industry credential and/or degree
• Understand how to take advantage of career centers, community college and technical college opportunities
• Use strategies such as dual credit, career pathways, industry certifications, and apprenticeships, to help students and parents understand how to navigate today’s world of work