the work readiness indicator measuring progress of wia youth

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The Work Readiness IndicatorThe Work Readiness Indicator

Measuring Progress of WIA Measuring Progress of WIA YouthYouth

November 17-18, 2009 – Chicago, Illinois

Webinar on Work Readiness Indicator ARRA Summer Employment Program 2

PresentersPresenters

Charles Modiano, Division of Youth Services, Employment and Training Administration, [email protected]; 202-693-2679

Jill Meseke, Bureau of Workforce Bureau of Workforce

DevelopmentDevelopmentIllinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic OpportunityOpportunity

Oana Amaria, Bureau of Workforce Bureau of Workforce DevelopmentDevelopmentIllinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic OpportunityOpportunity


Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

The Work Readiness Indicator (WRI)The Work Readiness Indicator (WRI)

A) What happened this summer?

B) How did we measure work readiness?

C) Examples of WRI Tools Used

D) Where Do We Go From Here?

E) Your Turn: Informing the System


RECAP: Defining Work ReadinessRECAP: Defining Work Readiness

The Work Readiness Skills Goal, as specified in TEGL No. 17-05 includes a measurable increase in work readiness skills including:

– World-of-work awareness, labor market knowledge, occupational information, career planning and decision making, and job search skills

– Independent living skills, positive work habits, attitudes and behaviors, showing initiative and reliability, and assuming the responsibilities involved in maintaining a job

– The definition of a Work Readiness Skills Goal, as specified in TEGL No. 17-05, Attachment B Definition of Key Terms found at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL17-05_AttachB.pdf


RECAP: RECAP: Work Readiness under ARRAWork Readiness under ARRA

Any youth in summer employment funded by the Recovery Act were included in the work readiness indicator, even if a youth receives services beyond summer or before summer

The work readiness portion of the WIA skill attainment rate was the primary indicator used for youth who participate in “summer employment” only and are only being served with Recovery Act funds


Preliminary Work Readiness DataPreliminary Work Readiness Data Unofficial Thru Sept. 2009 Unofficial Thru Sept. 2009

347,782 total youth served

306,466 in summer employment

71%* Summer Employment Completion Rate

63%* Work Readiness Attainment Rate(67 % median)

*In this preliminary data some states report lag in data that accounts for lower rates than expected


Work Readiness Attainment RateWork Readiness Attainment RateUnofficial State Data thru Sept. 2009*Unofficial State Data thru Sept. 2009*

State Range: High: 95%; Low: 3%*

Over 90%: Florida, New Hampshire, & Rhode Island

Over 80%: 12 states

Over 60%: 30 states

40 - 60%: 11 states

Under 40%: Nine states

*In this preliminary data some states report lag in data that accounts for lower rates than expected


GAO Report Findings GAO Report Findings Work Readiness under ARRAWork Readiness under ARRA

Observational Success, But Difficult to Measure “While many program officials, employers, and participants we spoke with believe the summer youth activities have been successful, measuring actual outcomes has proven challenging and may reveal little about what the summer activities achieved.”

More Consistency = More Comparability: “the methodologies used to measure work readiness varied widely, calling into question the comparability and the usefulness of the indicator when rolled up at the national level. Of the 10 states, only Illinois established a single approach to be used statewide in measuring work readiness gains.”


GAO Report Findings GAO Report Findings Work Readiness under ARRAWork Readiness under ARRA

Cited Local Example: “youth… were given a 20-question true-false survey that included questions such as “I understand the importance of demonstrating a positive attitude in the workplace.’”

Outcomes Beyond Work Readiness Indicator: “Seven of our 10 states reported they plan to track long-term outcomes, such as job placement and employment retention, for at least some of the youth they served this summer”


The Department of Labor The Department of Labor Response to the GAO ReportResponse to the GAO Report

DOL’s Future Plans: “The Department plans to further refine the work readiness indicator and determine a more effective way of measuring work readiness.”

Further Guidance: “In the event that a significant number of local areas have Recovery Act funds available for summer employment in 2010, or if the Dept. receives funds for future summer employment activities…, the dept. will issue further guidance for measuring work readiness that allows for the reporting of more consistent and meaningful data.”

Future Technical Assistance: “In either case, the Dept. will provide technical assistance to states and local areas on effective ways to measure work readiness based on the information learned this summer and further research on best practices.”


Future of the Future of the Work Readiness IndicatorWork Readiness Indicator

More RIGOR – while maintaining an efficient process

More CONSISTENCY – while respecting diversity of program models

More MEANINGFUL – in measuring impact of summer program experience– based on dual customer approach of employers and youth

WRI: Where do we go from here?WRI: Where do we go from here?


What Employers Want What Employers Want Most from Young WorkersMost from Young Workers

Skill Group Specific Work Readiness Goals

1) WORK ETHIC/ PROFESSIONALISM

• Attendance and punctuality• Workplace appearance• Accepting direction and constructive

criticism• Positive attitude, motivation, and

initiative• Demonstrating personal accountability

2) TEAMWORK/ COLLABORATION

• Build relationships with colleagues/customers

• Work with diverse teams• Manage and negotiate conflicts

3) COMMUNICATION

• Oral: effectively articulate thoughts & ideas

• Non-Verbal Communication• Written Communication

4) PROBLEM-SOLVING /CRITICAL THINKING

• Exercise sound reasoning • Communicate new ideas to others• Demonstrate creativity and innovation

Source: CommCorp


Work Readiness Indicators 2009Work Readiness Indicators 2009Most Common Measurement AreasMost Common Measurement Areas

2) BEHAVIOR

1) KNOWLEDGE & MINDSET

3) PORTFOLIO & TOOLS

What We MeasuredWhat We Measured

Mostly ObservationalTraining Evaluations

Work Supervisor Evaluations

Pre/mid/post Assessments

Work Readiness Checklists

Portfolio AssessmentsPortfolio Checklists

How We Measured ItHow We Measured It


1) 1) Measuring Measuring KNOWLEDGE/MINDSETKNOWLEDGE/MINDSET

Enrollment

Pre-Assessment

Completion

Post-A

sses

smen

t

Summer Work Experience

Mid-Point

Mid

-Ass

essm

ent


1)1) Measuring KNOWLEDGE/MINDSETMeasuring KNOWLEDGE/MINDSETIllinois Statewide ExampleIllinois Statewide Example

Example from Bureau of Workforce Development Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

How can we best measure KNOWLEDGE/MINDSET?

What are some sample questions?

Paper or Computer?


How can we best measure BEHAVIOR in training?

How can we make the subjective more objective?

Example can be used in work readiness training or work-site: Participants receive a supervisor evaluation following their work experience. Those with satisfactory/high rating are awarded a work readiness attainment.

2A) Measuring BEHAVIOR 2A) Measuring BEHAVIOR In Work Readiness TrainingIn Work Readiness Training

Example: The Learning Employability Profile (LEP) from Seattle King County is an example of a tool used by local providers to monitor work-readiness


2A) Measuring BEHAVIOR in 2A) Measuring BEHAVIOR in Work Readiness Training ExampleWork Readiness Training Example


Example: A youth’s Individual Service Strategy must include at least one specific skill goal from any of the three skill groups:

(1) Career Readiness Skills, (2) Work Ethic and Professionalism, and (3) Communication and Interpersonal Skills.

2B) Measuring BEHAVIOR 2B) Measuring BEHAVIOR at the Work Siteat the Work Site

Example: The Massachusetts Work-based Learning Plan is a tool for assessing (1) Work Ethic and Professionalism, and (2) Communication and Interpersonal Skills, the MWBLP can be downloaded from: http://www.skillslibrary.com/wbl.htm


2B) Measuring BEHAVIOR 2B) Measuring BEHAVIOR Work-Site Evaluation Example (Handout) Work-Site Evaluation Example (Handout)


3) PORTFOLIO & TOOLS3) PORTFOLIO & TOOLS

Prepares RESUME

Completion of Cover Letters

Completion of Sample Master Application

Sample Follow-up Letter

Employer Reference (s)

Informational Interviews with Employers

Opening of Bank account

Etc.


Work-readiness tool rates 12 different personal competency areas. Six are pre-employment tasks and six are job-specific

The State of Arizona requires 5 pre-employment goals be met

Employers assess youth at completion of work experience; Youth must receive a supervisor rating of at least 80% to be considered successful

3) PORTFOLIO Building 3) PORTFOLIO Building An Integrated ExampleAn Integrated Example

Example: The Skill Attainment Record - Work ReadinessAttainment Skills at Tuscon Youth Development is a tool thatmeasures portfolio along with other work competency areas.


3) PORTFOLIO Building 3) PORTFOLIO Building An Integrated ExampleAn Integrated Example


Future of the Future of the Work Readiness IndicatorWork Readiness Indicator

More RIGOR – while maintaining an efficient process

More CONSISTENCY – while respecting diversity of program models

More MEANINGFUL – in measuring impact of summer program experience– based on dual customer approach of employers and youth

WRI: Where do we go from here?WRI: Where do we go from here?


Future of Performance OutcomesFuture of Performance Outcomes

To Education (Secondary, Post-Sec., GED)

To Continued Employment

To Occupational Skills Training

TRANSITION RATE (Beyond Summer)TRANSITION RATE (Beyond Summer)


Question and Answer Question and Answer PeriodPeriod

What kind of work-readiness assessment tool did you use?

What did you like and dislike?

What are your general thoughts or concerns about DOL providing guidance around a more consistent and rigorous work readiness indicator in the future?

What would you do if you were DOL?


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the work readiness indicator measuring progress of wia youth

Documents

work awareness

positive work habits

summer activities

summer youth activities

summer employment71

primary indicator

program officials

preliminary data