Good afternoon,
I came across a newly released publication from MDRC, Implementation of a Sector-Focused Career Advancement Model for Low-Skilled Adults October, 2014 | Betsy L. Tessler, Michael Bangser, Alexandra Pennington, Kelsey Schaberg, Hannah Dalporto), which describes (1) a model used to prepare individuals for jobs in specific high-demand industries or job clusters and (2) job retention and career advancement strategies. WorkAdvance offers several sector-focused program components including pre-employment and career readiness services, occupational skills training, job development and placement, and post-employment retention and advancement services. WorkAdvance programs are currently operated by four organizations (two in New York City, one in Tulsa, and one in Greater Cleveland) that focus on a variety of sectors and bring different types of experience and approaches to the implementation of WorkAdvance.
The following link provides access to the full report and the executive summary:
http://www.mdrc.org/publication/meeting-needs-workers-and-employers
Key Findings from the report include:
- The WorkAdvance model is demanding, requiring providers to work effectively with both employers and program participants and to incorporate a post-employment advancement component that was new to all of the providers. Yet all four providers are now delivering each of the WorkAdvance components, with post-employment services being the least developed.
- Screening for program entry was driven by employer needs; as a result, on average, only one in five applicants were eligible and qualified for the program.
- The “soft skills” taught in career readiness classes appear to have been as important to participants and employers as the technical skills acquired from occupational skills training.
- Early indications are that completion rates for occupational skills training are high, although they vary somewhat across the providers. In most cases, completion of the training led to the earning of an industry-recognized credential, which is a critical first step toward getting a job in the sector.
What programs do know of that offer any of the components mentioned such as pre-employment services, career readiness services, occupational skills training, and/or job placement services? What kinds of outcomes and/or results have resulted?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Gail Cope, SME, LINCS Program Management Group