Impacts of Sectoral Employment Programs and Career Advancement Models and Initiatives

Gloria Salas-Kos, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Policy Development and Research, Employment and Training Administration, U. S. Department of Labor

Jana Bauer, Senior Analyst, Safal Partners

Kelsey Schaberg, Research Associate, MDRC

Mark Elliott, President, Economic Mobility Corporation

Laura Peck, Principal Scientist, Income Security and Economic Mobility Domain Director, MEF Associates

Lessons from the studies of two programs, WorkAdvance and Project Quest, and a Department of Labor meta-analysis of career pathway initiatives will demonstrate how evaluations are used to determine the impacts of intensive screening, career readiness services, occupational skills training leading to a credential, job placement, and retention and advancement services on program outcomes. WorkAdvance drew on previous findings about sectoral strategies, those that train people for quality jobs in specific industries and occupational clusters with strong local demand and the opportunity for career advancement. Results for Project Quest demonstrate the potential value of investing in skills training for job seekers with low incomes and long-term impacts. The meta-analysis of 46 Career Pathway Programs summarizes what works well, characteristics of effective programs, and implications for programs and further research. Presenters will:

• Use the evaluations from two programs to illustrate specific characteristics that successfully reduce barriers to high-opportunity employment, improved earnings, and career advancement.
• Explain the research methods and rationale, individual demographics and outcomes, and approaches for sectoral and career advancement initiatives.
• Present evaluation findings from random assignment methods and a literature review and meta-analysis on the broad impacts of these initiatives, including relative strengths and weaknesses.

The discussion will also include implications for workforce programs, such as using strategies and program models to increase access to job opportunities and how programs can become more effective in serving people with low incomes.

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• Posted by: Germell Hosch
• Posted in: Global