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Individual Career Mapping: ICM Overview

The Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) has successfully completed its three-year role in supporting the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation’s (GOWINN) Project SANDI (Supporting Advancing Nevada’s Dislocated Individuals). Project SANDI was competitively funded in 2020 as one of 13 initiatives awarded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Education Stabilization Fund - Reimagination Workforce Preparation (ESF-RWP) Discretionary Grant.

This achievement includes the development of Nevada-focused career virtual reality content, enhancements to the Nevada CareerExplorer (a career information database accessible to all Nevadans with their public library card), the deployment of over 1,000 virtual reality headsets, and comprehensive training for the statewide SANDI Community of Practice. This community includes workforce professionals known as career navigators from five state agencies, four community colleges, 22 library systems, numerous non-governmental organizational partners, and Nevada’s two workforce investment boards, Workforce Connections and Nevada Works, which are funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

These career navigators were trained to implement Individual Career Mapping (ICM), which addresses the urgent need for reskilling and upskilling in a workforce facing rapid structural changes and existing inequalities. Low labor market literacy rates often compound these challenges.

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) continues to address the critical issue facing Nevada’s neglected and disadvantaged populations. Using funds from the Nevada Attorney General Telkom Settlement, the Individual Career Mapping (ICM) process offers career navigation and support for these communities.


Individual Career Mapping has demonstrated improvements in labor market literacy and opened access to career training that leads to industry-recognized credentials. This project removes information access barriers among hard-to-reach populations, including youth, minorities, and rural residents. 

For the Unemployed

ICM provides a comprehensive framework for unemployed individuals to explore diverse STEM-based career options aligned with their interests and skills. Unemployed individuals can identify new career paths and acquire the skills to confidently enter or re-enter the workforce. The program's emphasis on industry-recognized credentials enhances employability and opens doors to sustainable job opportunities.

 

 

For those Entering or Re-entering the Workforce

ICM is a valuable resource for individuals transitioning into the workforce, especially recent graduates, young adults or parolees. Focusing on industry-recognized credentials in high-demand STEM fields, ICM empowers individuals to explore viable career paths and acquire essential skills necessary for success in the workforce.

 

 

For the Underemployed

ICM offers targeted support to underemployed individuals seeking to enhance their career prospects. Underemployed individuals can identify and bridge skills gaps and qualify for higher-paying positions.

 

 

Valuable for Rural and Minority Communities 

ICM is particularly valuable for individuals in rural and minority communities where access to career development resources may be limited. The process leverages technology to overcome geographical barriers, allowing rural residents to participate in virtual career exploration. This equitable access to information empowers individuals in rural areas to pursue meaningful careers aligned with emerging industries, thereby contributing to economic growth and sustainability within their communities.

 

 

 

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is an extraordinary immersive simulation experience made possible through the use of specialized VR headsets. These headsets incorporate advanced movement-tracking technology and high-resolution displays to create a lifelike environment for users. In VR, you're not just a spectator; you become an active participant, navigating and interacting with a digitally simulated world.

 

 

Using a VR headset, individuals can step into the workplace and job shadow, understand how the equipment works, and explore careers — all through the power of VR. Whether operating heavy machinery, taking care of patients, or refining technical skills, VR provides a transformative learning experience that is not only immersive and engaging but also remarkably safe and risk-free. In an era where acquiring practical skills is essential for career advancement, VR emerges as a compelling ally in the quest for professional excellence.

 

Field trips

35 curated virtual field trips are available in headsets or online, allowing users to observe, discover, and gain valuable insights into the labor market and Nevada’s in-demand STEM careers. Designed with efficiency in mind, each virtual field trip takes up to 4 minutes, making it accessible and ideal for quick, informative, and immersive experiences. 

 

 

 

One distinguishing feature of these virtual field trips is that users do not need to be familiar with VR controllers or actively interact with the virtual environment. Put on the headset, select your field trip, and press play. These 360-degree view experiences are purposefully designed for observation, allowing users to effortlessly absorb valuable information and gain insights into the inner workings of these occupations and industries.

 

3D Models

Available in both a VR headset and online, the 3D models represent a dynamic and immersive educational resource. These digital models go beyond traditional static images. They allow students to manipulate, rotate, zoom in, and interact with the objects, promoting active engagement and hands-on learning. By promoting visual and interactive learning, these models empower students to grasp complex, abstract ideas more effectively, fostering a deeper understanding of the subjects they study. They function like a 21st-century flash card.

 

      

Click each object for a Demo

 

Job shadowing

Available via a VR headset, the job shadow simulation allows users to explore a lesson from the VR course companion. The job shadowing experience does not require a user account or Wi-Fi connection. It allows users to try and learn a skill or theory directly from the VR course companion, making it an excellent entry point for those new to VR and virtual training. This option is ideal for curious individuals exploring career paths and training opportunities, which helps them better understand the world of work. It also introduces them to the exciting world of VR, as each job shadow experience typically takes about 10 minutes.

The NCLab Career Readiness Assessment is a learn-and-apply, hands-on assessment. It is not a questionnaire. It does not ask about or test your prior knowledge, and it does not include math. The assessment determines an individual’s ability to read and understand written instructions, learn and absorb new information, apply the new information to solve simple problems, and measure an individual’s perseverance. An individual’s success in the Career Readiness Assessment is strongly positively correlated to the individual’s success in both training programs and working in a 21st-century automation-laden work environment. The proprietary scoring includes numerous categories which cover the hard and soft skills measured by the assessment. A final result is then calculated using these individual scores. A high score indicates that participants will succeed in their chosen career path. This assessment takes 1 to 3 hours and is best done in one session. 

 

The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) offers significant benefits by providing a validated measure of essential workplace skills such as applied mathematics, graphic literacy, and workplace documents. This certification enhances employability by demonstrating to employers that individuals possess the foundational skills required for various jobs, thereby increasing job opportunities and career advancement. Recognized by thousands of employers nationwide, the NCRC ensures a better match between job seekers and job openings, aligning with employer needs. It is a portable credential, valued across the United States, and can improve job performance by leading to higher productivity, reduced training costs, and lower turnover. Additionally, the NCRC helps individuals identify areas for skill improvement, supports targeted training, and facilitates smoother career transitions, making it a valuable asset for job seekers, employees, and employers.

Labor market literacy encompasses interpreting information about emerging industries, in-demand skills, and trends. "Human work in the age of smart machines" refers to an individual's understanding of the value and limits of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robots. Improved labor market literacy empowers individuals to navigate with confidence to make informed career plans and precise education and training decisions.

The ICM community of practice comprises workforce professionals in the public and non-profit sectors from every county in Nevada at the local and state levels. The ICM synchronizes the system of service delivery. The process efficiently uses ICM technology enhancements within participating community colleges, high schools, public and academic libraries, OneStop centers, state and municipal agencies, and non-government organizations. ICM is designed to streamline communication between people, functions, and institutions and keep Nevadans learning and earning.