What Works to Help Job Seekers? Rigorous Evaluation Found Individualized Staff Assistance Effective, But Training Needs Improvement (Study Brief)

What Works to Help Job Seekers? Rigorous Evaluation Found Individualized Staff Assistance Effective, But Training Needs Improvement (Study Brief)

Published: Jun 30, 2017
Publisher: Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research
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Associated Project

Workforce Investment Act Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs Gold Standard Evaluation

Time frame: 2008-2017

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Authors

Kenneth Fortson

Dana Rotz

Paul Burkander

Annalisa Mastri

Sheena McConnell

Ronald D'Amico

Key findings from the national experimental evaluation of the Adult and Dislocated Worker programs include:

  • Individualized staff assistance was cost-effective.
  • Evidence, although inconclusive, suggests that training was not effective
  • Policymakers should continue providing staff assistance but look to improve training to better help job seekers.

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