The Atlanta Federal Reserve recently showcased key components of successful workforce programs and how to improve existing programs.  The Fed shared these insights through a 15-minute podcast (and online transcript) from an interview conducted by Jen Giovannitti at the Richmond Fed and Dr. Elizabeth Weigensberg, a senior research at the University of Chicago.  Titled, Metrics for Success:  Critical Elements for Workforce Development Programs, the podcast and transcript may be accessed online from the Atlanta Fed.

The interview opens with an overview on the current landscape of workforce programs and how the workforce system responded to economic challenges nationally. Weigensberg shared her approach in the scope of working with the greater Chicagoland workforce programs, specifically the CWICstats, Chicagoland Workforce Information Collaborative.

The successful programs in the study had commonalities.  Each began with thorough assessment and intake, according to Weigensberg.  The comprehensive service approach included financial counseling and financial educational resources to complement the training services. Weigensberg cited flexibility as a key factor in the diverse needs of individuals and the changing demands of employers.  The final category covered external relationships, both at the community level and with employers.  Weigensberg shared that each program had strong engagement with policy and advocacy at all levels.  She stressed the importance of data and outcomes management as well.

DOL’s Employment and Training Administration announced Tuesday the launch of Workforce System Strategies, an array of technical assistance resources designed to make it easier for workforce system professionals to quickly find information that supports positive customer outcomes. Published through Workforce3one, the repository is a highly-searchable tool populated with a growing number of experimental studies, implementation evaluations, and peer-informed how-to guides. Outcomes to the workforce system include

• Help job seekers and employer customers achieve better outcomes
• Identify preliminary evidence that may be useful in program design
• Be at the forefront of the workforce system

The announcement came through official channels of Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 10-12.  For more information about Workforce System Strategies, visit http://strategies.workforce3one.org (see especially the “News” and “About” tabs). Questions, comments, or nominations may be submitted by using the “Help” tab on the Web site to contact project staff, or by contacting the appropriate Regional Office.  Missouri’s Regional Office for DOL is Region 5 in Chicago.