Los Angeles Mission College

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOURCE GUIDE
(Draft Copy 4/13/00)
prepared by Eloise F. Cantrell - Dean of Vocational Education

2000-2001

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOURCE GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Purpose of Vocational Advisory Committee 2
Advisory Committee Responsibilities 3
Advisory Committee Membership 4-5
Meeting and Operating Procedures 6-7
Typical Agenda Items 8
Role of the college in Program Quality 9
Resource Materials 10
Appendices
A. Sample Membership Letter 11
B. Sample Acceptance Post Card 12
C. Sample of Meeting Announcement 13
D. Sample Agenda 14-15
E. Sample Format for Advisory Minutes 16-17
F. List of Vocational Advising Committees 18.

INTRODUCTION

Los Angeles Mission College was established in February 1975. It is one of the nine public colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District.

One of the primary missions of Los Angeles Mission College is vocational/occupational education. The college provides a variety of occupational programs and services, which prepare students for employment in the community.

All of the vocational/occupational programs at Los Angeles Mission College are reviewed yearly by representatives from the specific occupational and industrial community through the Vocational Education Advisory Committees. The college relies on leaders and innovators from the occupational areas to aid in the development of programs and assist in helping the vocational education training program continue to be relevant and current. The students at Los Angeles Mission College are beneficiaries of this guidance, and input from business and community leaders is highly valuable. Advisory, business, and industry input helps to ensure a state-of-the-art level in training and technology.

This vocational advisory committee resource guide is designed for college staff and industrial/community advisory committee members to use as a resource while serving on a vocational education advisory committee.

The Vocational and Technical Education Act (VTEA) 1998 and the California Plan for Career Vocational Education in Policy Directions and Implementation Strategies mandate the establishing and maintaining of vocational educational advisory committees for vocational programs. The advisory committees ensure continuity of programs and allow occupational programs to be able to respond more rapidly to changes in the specific vocational area and help special populations.


PURPOSE OF VOCATIONAL ADVISORY COMITTEES

The purpose of the vocational and industrial advisory committees is to establish industrial and community partnerships with the college administration and vocational/occupational program staff. An advisory committee serves a vital role in keeping vocational programs relevant, dynamic, and on the cutting-edge of technology. This can only be achieved with a close working relationship between the college and the business community.

The advisory committee provides input and makes recommendations to the college faculty and administration on changes in direction and technology for vocational/occupational areas. Working with the Department Chairperson and the vocational Dean, the committee provides a means of communication and cooperation between business, industry, government, the community and the college. This will lead to a better understanding to the job market.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The major roles provided by the advisory committee are:

1. To provide advice on skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for specific occupations.
2. To assist in keeping programs current.
3. Inform the community of services provided by the college in occupational training.
4. To actively assist in the placement of graduates.

Specific responsibilities of the committee are the following:

1. Provides up-to-date information related to emerging trends (in a specific vocational area), current trends, current and future employment needs, and future direction for the specific occupational area;

2. Assist and identify the needs for new vocational and occupational training programs, and help in the modification and revitalization of existing programs as industrial needs change;

3. Recommend changes in facilities, equipment, materials, and staffing needs for effective, up-to-date, and relevant vocational instruction for the program;

4. Identify the current specific skill, knowledge and student attitudes that should be included in the program;

5. Keep the college and vocational departments informed regarding changes in the labor market and specific changing employment needs;

6. Recommend measures and standards for program quality, including standards for graduates, to ensure successful entry-level employment in the subject area;

7. Assist in identifying work experience, internships, and employment opportunities;

8. Assist the college and department in evaluating the effectiveness of the occupational programs and its graduates;

9. Assist in marketing in the vocational program and recruiting of new students;

10. Help provide publicity for vocational programs and assist with dissemination of this information to the community;

11. Assist the college and the department in business/industry and community surveys related to vocational education.


ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The members of the vocational advisory committee should be selected from employers, and employee involved in the local industry, business community, and government and labor representatives. The term of appointment to the advisory committee will be three years. All replacements and vacancies should be filled immediately. The process used by vocational departments to recommend people for appointment to an advisory committee may vary slightly.

The following is a suggested way of appointing candidates:

1. Department chairperson or staff makes initial contact with the potential advisory committee member to inquire if there is an interest in serving;

2. List of recommended names is forwarded to the Office of Academic Affairs/Vocational Education;

3. Vocational Educational Office will prepare a form letter of invitation to serve on a specific vocational and industrial advisory committee and welcomed by the college president;

4. Confirmation cards should be enclosed in the letter to be returned to the Vocational Education Office;

5. Department establishes a committee roster with dates indicating the term of appointment.

5
The Vocational Advisory Committee membership should include individuals from the following categories as appropriate:

1. Employers and employees (small, medium and large size business) in the field. This should be in addition to adjunct faculty who are employed in the field

2. Graduate of the program, now employed in the field

3. Current advanced student in program

4. Program coordinator and faculty

5. Department Chairperson

6. Vocational Dean

7. Representatives from appropriate articulating schools (High school, regional adult occupational center, ROP programs, Cal State University and UC representatives)

8. Representative from a similar program in another community college

9. Special populations representatives (EOPS)

10. Cooperative Education representative (COOP-ED)

11. Vocational Education counselor for disciplines
Note: The minimum number of committee members from the community, business, and industry should be 10-12.


MEETING AND OPERATING PROCEDURE

The Chairperson of the committee should be someone other than a member of the college or a department representative. The Chairperson has the responsibility of making sure that the advisory committee understands its function, responsibilities, and role.

The vocational advisory committee meeting should be planned out so minimum time is required of the advisory committee members. However, meetings should be held frequently enough to avoid a lengthy agenda at any one meeting. The agenda will be planned by the chairperson in conjunction with the Department Chairperson and Vocational Education Office.

The advisory committee meetings should be conducted with a degree of formality appropriate to the importance placed on the performance of the task. Too many rigid rules may stifle imagination, ideas, and initiative.

The announcement of the advisory committees should be sent out one month prior to the meeting to allow busy people to schedule their calendars. The announcement materials should include:

1. Cover memo notifying advisory committee members of the time and place of the next committee meeting.
2. Agenda
3. Items to be reviewed
4. College catalog and current schedule of classes
5. Department and program materials and brochures
6. List of advisory members
7. College map and parking permits
8. Advisory Committee Resource Guide
9. Any special vocational events the advisory member should be aware of i.e. Los Angeles Mission College focus on careers.

7
When conducting the advisory committee meeting, every attempt should be made to include each advisory member in the discussion. Adequate time should allow for an open, free discussion on strong and weak areas of the program. Robert's Rules of Order are to be observed. Advisory committee recommendations are advisory only, but carry considerable weight on the departments and college's vocational decisions.

Within a final reasonable time (one month), minutes of the meeting should be typed, duplicated, and mailed to each one of the present advisory members and those not in attendance. The minutes should be clear and identify action items for the next meeting and any follow-up activities decided on at the yearly meeting.

The chairperson of the advisory committee will assist the Department Chairperson and Staff in assisting in the implementation of the recommendations made by the advisory committee. The chairperson will serve as an advocate of program change and keeping the program current and relevant.

TYPICAL AGENDA ITEMS

The following is a sample agenda (see Appendix), while typical items might include:

· Informal tour of department and training areas

Start of formal Meeting

· Introductions and Welcome
· Objectives and Role of Vocational Advisory Committee
· Election of a advisory chairperson and secretary
· Approval of last meetings minutes
· Review of new and existing resource material being considered and future equipment requirements
· Evaluation and Recommendations by members from business and industry including advice to the college on current job needs.
· Budget and Funding sources
· Conclusions
· Assignments and set the date for next meeting


ROLE OF THE COLLEGE IN PROGRAM QUALITY

The program review process is an integral part of the college, but recommendations for possible new courses, new programs, and changes in existing courses are not part of a prescribed program. The Vocational Advisory Committee helps meet this need. The Dean of Vocation and Department Chairperson and Staff should also look objectively at recommendations from the community towards present courses to see if they meet the following:

1. Is the present program consistent with college goals and policy?
2. Is the program consistent with the Educational Code?
3. Does the program meet identified student and community needs?
4. What are the program retention and placement statistics? Does it attract students?
5. Does it meet the current needs of the specific industry?
6. Are there adequate fiscal resources to support the program?
7. Is there an employer's need for qualified workers and, do they express an interest in employing graduates?
8. Is there support from the program advisory committee and are they an active group?
9. Is there a student recruitment strategy?
10. Has possible articulation taken place with local High Schools and four-year Colleges and Universities (2+2+2+)?
11. Has possible articulation taken place with local High Schools and four-year College and Universities (2+2+2)?
12. Are the salaries sufficient to attract students to the vocational field?

RESOURCE MATERIALS

Typically, the following materials will be distributed to each vocational advisory committee member at the first meeting of the year:

· Advisory Committee Resource Guide

· College Catalog

· Current Schedule of Classes

· Program Brochures

· Department Literature

· Student Retention and Placement Statistics

· California's Long and Short Term Trends

· Available Statistics from the California Employment Development Department

SAMPLE MEMBERSHIP LETTER
DATE

Dear

Thank you very much for your-willingness to serve as a member of our Computer Science Industrial Technology Vocational/Industrial Advisory Committee. The term of office for the Vocational Advisory Committee member at Los Angeles Mission College will be three years.
Los Angeles Mission College and its students benefit greatly from the involvement of business, industrial, and community leaders, such as yourself as a member of our Vocational Advisory Committees. This input allows the college and program to gain vital technical input and insight from the industry and community for future program planning purposes.
The college and department has sought to encourage the participation of a mix of dynamic individuals with diverse vocational/industrial background for this committee.
Please indicate on the enclosed pre-addressed, stamped post card, your willingness to serve in the 2000-2001 school years.
Thank you for your support of Los Angeles Mission College.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas W. Oliver
President, Los Angeles Mission College
Enclosures


SAMPLE ACCEPTANCE POST CARD

Los Angeles Mission College

YES, I am willing to serve as an Advisory Committee Member

NO, I am unable to serve

PROGRAM:

NAME:

TITLE:

COMPANY/ ORGANIZATION:


SAMPLE OF MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Los Angeles Mission College

DATE

Dear Advisory Committee Member:

A Vocational/Industrial (Advisory Committee meeting is being; scheduled at Los Angeles Mission College for the Computer Technology Vocational/Occupational training program.
We are again seeking input from business and Industry representatives with specialized areas of expertise. On behalf of the chairperson,
(NAME OF CHAIRPERSON), we wish to invite you to attend or, if need be, to send a representative.
The meeting is scheduled as follows:

2 March 2000
Campus Center Room
Tour beginning at 3:30
Meeting starts at 4p.m.

Enclosed is a parking permit for your use as well as a campus
map for directions. We hope you can join us. Your ideas and suggestions will be most welcome!!!

Sincerely,

Eloise Cantrell
Dean Academic Affairs
Vocational/Technical Education


SAMPLE AGENDA

AGENDA

Los Angeles Mission College
Computer Science Information Technology
March 2, 2000

TOUR OF FACILITIES (optional)

I. CALL TO ORDER

A. Welcome and Introduction
B. Approval of minutes (Insert date of last meeting)

II. REPORT ITEMS

A. Report on Recommendations from Previous Advisory
Meeting

B. Program Update

1. Current Offerings
2. Enrollment data
3. Curriculum changes
4. Special projects
5. Student activities
6. Special populations
7. Program evaluation/accreditation
8. Graduates/completers/placement

III. DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Emerging Technology/New Technical Trends for the future
B. Job Placement/Employment Trends
C. Curriculum
D. Recruitment Activities
E. Equipment/Facility Needs
F. Donations and Help from Industry
G. Current Industry Trends
H. Student Needs/Special Populations
I. Articulation Activities
J. College Update
K. VTEA
L. Department needs
M. Industries Needs/Job Information

IV. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

V. ADJOURNMENT


SAMPLE FORMAT FOR ADVISORY MINUIES

Los Angeles Mission College

1. HEADING
Los Angeles Mission College
Advisory
(Name of Committee)
(Date)
(Location Room)
2. PRESENT

MEMBERS PRESENT
STAFF PRESENT

3. CALL TO ORDER. Use a brief opening sentence indicating that |
the meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, NAME
time, room, place, and introductions made.

4. MINUTES. The minutes of the meeting DATE were approved as read/were approved as corrected.

5. ITEMS DISCUSSED. Use subject captions. The captions should be capitalized and placed in the left margin.

a. Identify the main point of discussion.
b. Record actions, decisions, recommendations, major ideas,
or major suggestions.
c. Identify assignment and deadline, if given.
d. Record each action in a separate paragraph.

6. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at TIME.

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

(Instructions to secretary preparing minutes)

a) Use concise sentences.
b) Minimize the use of personal names as much as possible.
c) Use third person wording whenever possible.
d) Single space paragraphs.
e) Duplicate minutes on one side of the paper.
f) Place identification at upper left each following page; showing name of committee, date of meeting, and page number.
g) Omit any closing, such as "Respectfully submitted." Only the name of the individual submitting the minutes is needed.
h) Keep length to a minimum.


LIST OF VOCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

There are ten vocational education departments at Los Angeles Mission College. Each department offers one or more programs. The departments and programs constitute (XXX) faculty and (XX) support staff. The combined programs offer 45 different occupational certificates of completion and/or Associate of Arts/Science degrees. The departments and programs are listed:

· Administration of Justice
(Administration of Justice) (Probation & Corrections) (Law Enforcement)

· Business Administration
Accounting, Banking, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing

· Computer Science-Information Technology
Computer Science, Microcomputers, Microcomputers System

· Engineering
Computer Graphics Design, Electronic Design, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Numerical Control, Tool

· Computer Office Applications
Records Management, Keyboarding I, II, III, Microcomputer Applications, Microcomputer Software Survey, Business English, Business Communications, Transcription

· Culinary Arts
Foodservice Management

· Hospitality and Management

· Family and consumer Studies
Food Science/Nutrition, Gerontology, Marriage and Family, Interior Design

· Child Development
Child Growth and Development, Early Childhood: Principles and Practices, Creative Experiences for Children I, II, Child Health, Home, School and Community Relations, Practicum in Child Development
19

· Law/Paralegal
Business Law I, II, Introduction to Legal Assisting I, II, Tort Law and Claims Investigation, Civil and Criminal Evidence, Marriage and Family Law, Basic Probate Procedures

· Addiction Studies
Understanding Addiction and Counseling, Drugs in Perspective, Addiction Counselor Training, Field Work for Addiction Personnel, Addiction and the Family, Drinking Driver Programs Personnel Training, Sociological Aspects of Addiction

· Multi-Media
Drawing I, Introduction to Painting, Beginning Two-Dimensional Design, Introduction to Multimedia Computer Application, Visual Communication, computer Aided Art Lab

· Interior Design
Professional Career Opportunities, Interior Design, Interior Design Project Laboratory, color for Interior, Internship,