Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update Report Appendices
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Patty Rodriguez, David McCoy, and Heath Prince (Principal Investigator)
Date: December 2024
Publication Type: Report Appendices, 31pp.
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update Report Appendices
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Patty Rodriguez, David McCoy, Heath Prince (Principal Investigator), and Thomas Boswell
Date: December 2024
Publication Type: Report, 174 pp.
Introduction
From FY 2016–FY 2023, Travis County invested over $18 million to support a continuum of adult education, training, and employment services to help individuals improve workplace skills, obtain employment, succeed in the workplace, and help employers secure a skilled workforce. Services include High School Equivalency (HSE), adult basic education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes; job readiness and occupation-specific training (including, but not limited to, vocational certification and formal higher education opportunities); and job search and job placement assistance leading to employment and earnings gains.
Four of the Travis County workforce development grantees receive county-funded assistance as a consortium, the Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum–Travis County (WERC-TC). WERC-TC providers are Workforce Solutions Capital Area Career Centers, Goodwill of Central Texas, Austin Area Urban League, and American YouthWorks. Four additional community-based organizations maintaining workforce development contracts with Travis County are included in this report: Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Capital IDEA, LifeWorks, and Skillpoint Alliance. In addition, WERC-TC grantee American YouthWorks also delivers services to participants through Travis County funding that is not WERC-TC.
To understand program participant outcomes and the impact of these services, the county has contracted with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources (RMC), an organized research unit in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its investments. This report presents findings and analyses of programs funded during a seven-year, on-going evaluation (FY 2016–FY 2023).
PATHS for Texas: Interim Descriptive Statistics, Outcomes, Impacts, Survey Results, and Qualitative Summary 2024 Update
PATHS for Texas: Interim Descriptive Statistics, Outcomes, Impacts, Survey Results, and Qualitative Summary 2024 Update
Authors: Thomas Boswell, Patty Rodriguez, and Heath Prince
Date: July 2024
Publication Type: Report, 49pp.
Executive Summary
The data presented in this report represent individuals who participated in PATHS for Texas from its start date in 2020 through June of 2024. As of June 2024, 2,524 individuals registered to participate in the PATHs for Texas program from four Texas Workforce Development Boards (WDB) across the state (Coastal Bend, Gulf Coast, Rural Capital Area, and North Texas). Of the 2,524 individuals who enrolled in PATHS, 2,029 (80%) individuals completed training and earned one or more certificates. When compared to the reference quarter (four quarters prior to earning a certificate through PATHS), on average, PATHS participants increased employment by 5.5 percentage points (from 72.8% to 78.3%), as well as increased their quarterly earnings by $2,574 (from $8,469 to $11,043) eight quarters after earning their certificate. Those who earned certificates in the Business, Hospitality, Information Technology, Medical, Retail, and Transportation and Logistics industries saw increases in employment and earnings compared to the reference period, while those earning certificates in Entrepreneurship, and in the Skilled Trades saw flat or slight decreases in employment, and Insurance, which saw a decline in earnings.
When matched with a comparison group of demographically similar individuals with similar employment histories to determine the impact of program participation, and while there is some variation across the Boards and by outcome measure, it is generally the case that participation in PATHS is associated with a positive, and statistically significant, increase in both unconditional quarterly earnings ($990) and quarterly employment (9.5% percentage points) over the comparison group.
We also report on the outcomes of two surveys completed in the past three years: one survey of active PATHS participants, and one of inactive participants. Responses indicate that flexible training arrangement, follow-up with participants after program completion, and information regarding family counseling services represent growth opportunities for service providers.
Finally, and while it will be expanded upon in next year’s final report, we report preliminary findings from an implementation evaluation of PATHS. Input provided by key stakeholders yielded several lessons learned, including those related to flexibility, collaboration, and leadership. In terms of flexibility, respondents highlighted the value in PATHS ability to pivot its industry focus in response to COVID-19. Regarding collaboration, respondents frequently cited their collaboration between one another throughout the PATHS funding period as a unique experience in the state’s Workforce Solutions space. And, regarding leadership, respondents underscored the importance of an effective and confident managerial presence to the successful implementation of the PATHS for Texas program.
Evaluation of the City of Austin Investment in Workforce Development: 2023 Annual Report
Evaluation of the City of Austin Investment in Workforce Development: 2023 Annual Report
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Thomas Boswell, and Greg Cumpton, Principal Investigator
Date: December 2023
Publication Type: Report, 41 pp.
The City of Austin has contracted with the Ray Marshall Center (RMC), an organized research unit at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, to conduct an evaluation of the City’s workforce training investments. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify within the City of Austin funded workforce development training ecosystem, programmatic or strategic elements that impact participant outcomes. Research findings will guide strategic planning for the City’s workforce development efforts.
The following report is organized into three sections. The first presents an overview of the evaluation questions and research methods. The quantitative methodology discussion highlights the planned analysis of employment and wage outcomes. The qualitative methodology discussion presents detailed information regarding the development of the participant survey, the survey distribution plan, and participant interviews. The second section presents a brief profile of each service provider and its workforce development program(s). The concluding section outlines lessons learned during this first period of inquiry and additional questions researchers will consider as the evaluation evolves.
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development 2023 Update
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development 2023 Update
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Patty Rodriguez, David McCoy, Heath Prince (Principal Investigator), and Thomas Boswell
Date: November 2023
Publication Type: Report, 173pp.
INTRODUCTION
In FY 2016–FY 2022, Travis County invested over $16 million to support a continuum of adult education, training, and employment services. The adult education programing supported by the County includes English as a second language, basic adult education, high school equivalency and GED classes. Sectoral occupational training includes healthcare professions, information technology, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other occupations in area growth industries with good prospects for career advancement, improved economic stability, and access to employee benefits.
Four of the Travis County workforce development grantees receive county-funded assistance as a consortium, the Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum–Travis County (WERC-TC). WERC-TC providers are Workforce Solutions Capital Area Career Centers, Goodwill of Central Texas, Austin Area Urban League, and American YouthWorks. Four additional community-based organizations maintaining workforce development contracts with Travis County are included in this report: Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Capital IDEA, LifeWorks, and Skillpoint Alliance. In addition, WERC-TC grantee American YouthWorks also delivers services to participants through Travis County funding that is not WERC-TC.
To understand program participant outcomes and the impact of these services, the county has contracted with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources (RMC), an organized research unit in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its investments. This evaluation report presents findings and analyses of programs funded during a seven-year on-going evaluation (FY 2016–FY 2022).
PATHS for Texas: Interim Descriptive Statistics, Outcomes, Impacts, and Survey Results
PATHS for Texas: Interim Descriptive Statistics, Outcomes, Impacts, and Survey Results
Author: Patty Rodriguez, Thomas Boswell, and Heath Prince
Date: June 2023
Publication Type: Report, 34pp.
Executive Summary
The data presented in this brief represent individuals who participated in PATHS for Texas from its start date in 2020 through April of 2023. As of April 2023, 1,824 individuals registered to participate in the PATHs for Texas program from four Texas Workforce Development Boards across the state (Coastal Bend, Gulf Coast, Rural Capital Area, and North Texas). Of the 1,824 individuals who enrolled in PATHS, 1,221 (67%) individuals completed training and earned one or more certificates. When compared to the reference quarter (four quarters prior to earning a certificate through PATHS), on average, PATHS 2020 and 2021 participants increased employment by 8 percentage points (from 72% to 80%), as well as increased their quarterly earnings by $2,332 (from $7,956 to $10,288) four quarters after earning their certificate. When examined by individual Board, three of the four demonstrated marked increases in employment, ranging from 8.2 to 22.5 percentage point increases, and three of the four boards achieved increases in earnings. Those who earned certificates in the Business, Hospitality, Medical, and Retail industries saw increases in employment and earnings compared to the reference period, while those earning certificates in Information Technology saw, on average, slight decreases in earnings.
When matched with a comparison group of demographically similar individuals with similar employment histories to determine the impact of program participation, and while there is some variation across the Boards and by outcome measure, it is generally the case that participation in PATHS is associated with a positive, and statistically significant, increase in both quarterly earnings ($1,022) and quarterly employment (4.9% percentage points) over the comparison group.
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2022 Update
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2022 Update
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Patty Rodriguez, Heath Prince (Principal Investigator), David McCoy, and Thomas Boswell
Date: March 2023
Publication Type: Report, 181pp.
Introduction:
In FY 2016–FY 2021, Travis County invested over $14 million through contracts with workforce development programs for low-income residents who face challenges in finding steady employment with sufficient earnings to support themselves and their families. These programs provide services ranging from Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL) and high school equivalency certification (HSEC) programs, to short- and long-term skills training leading to certifications and/or associate degrees across a wide range of occupations. These occupations include nursing and other healthcare professions, information technology, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other occupations in area growth industries with good prospects for career advancement.
Four of the Travis County workforce development grantees receive county-funded assistance as a consortium, the Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum–Travis County (WERC-TC). WERC-TC providers are Workforce Solutions Capital Area Career Centers, Goodwill of Central Texas, Austin Area Urban League, and American YouthWorks. Four additional community-based organizations maintaining workforce development contracts with Travis County are included in this report: Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Capital IDEA, LifeWorks, and Skillpoint Alliance. In addition, WERC-TC grantee American YouthWorks also delivers services to participants through Travis County funding that is not WERC-TC.
To understand program participant outcomes and the impact of these services, the county has contracted with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources (RMC), an organized research unit in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its investments. This evaluation report presents findings and analyses of programs funded during a six-year on-going evaluation (FY 2016–FY 2021).
CareerAdvance® Implementation Study Final Report: Findings from 2006 through FY 2021
CareerAdvance® Implementation Study Final Report: Findings from 2006 through FY 2021
Authors: Cynthia Juniper and Chris King
Date: April 2022
Publication Type: Report, 74pp.
Prepared for the Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This report examines the implementation of CareerAdvance® particularly focusing on how and why the program changed and adjusted to meet the requirements of HPOG, while responding to the needs of the participants being served, the local job market, the partners working together to implement the program, and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on service delivery. This report draws from previous CareerAdvance® reports, administrative information on the HPOG II program participants and their families, and interviews with the leadership and staff of CAP Tulsa, Tulsa Tech, Family and Children Services, Workforce Tulsa, and Tulsa Community WorkAdvance.
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2021 Update
Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2021 Update
Authors: Cynthia Juniper, Patty Rodriguez, and Heath Prince
Date: February 2022
Publication Type: Report, 170pp.
This evaluation examines outcomes and impacts for participants exiting the Travis County-funded community-based workforce programs between FY 2016 and FY 2020. To understand the impact of these services, the county has contracted with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources (RMC), an organized research unit in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its investments. This evaluation report presents findings and analyses of programs funded during a five-year on-going evaluation (FY 2016–FY 2020).
Evaluation of Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Texas Family Literacy AmeriCorps (TFLA) Initiative
Evaluation of Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Texas Family Literacy AmeriCorps (TFLA) Initiative
Author: Cynthia Juniper
Date: December 2021
Publication Type: Report, 56pp.
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas (LCCT) received funding from the OneStar Foundation to implement the Texas Family Literacy AmeriCorps (TFLA) program. Each partner site works with two LCCT AmeriCorps members who are trained to implement the TFLA program in the context of each site’s existing literacy services. Program participants meet with AmeriCorps members to receive one-on-one job coaching services. Students interested in advanced career development instruction receive job readiness training and have an opportunity to enter occupational skills training. Participants work with an AmeriCorps job coach to complete an Individual Learning Plan to further outline their educational and career goals. The TFLA program has the potential to address inequities in employment and earnings advancement by coordinating education, training, and support services for low-wage workers to advance into in-demand, middle-skill jobs to increase their wages and economic security.
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas contracted with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources (RMC), a research institute of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, to conduct an evaluation including implementation, outcomes and impacts analysis components. The purpose of the study is to present information that can assist LCCT to better understand the components of effective efforts to advance the careers of low-income workers.
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