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Thanks, @Brendan_Duke. This topic deserves a full-on thread. There are several common misconceptions when it comes to workforce training and retraining. Breaking down some of them here. #wkdev #unemployment https://twitter.com/Brendan_Duke/status/1265617566069927936
First, there's the misconception that we spend a decent amount on job training for adults through WIOA. In fact, we only spent about $620 million in program year 2018 and trained a total of about 280,000 adults, dislocated workers, and youth total under WIOA Title 1B.
We had 53 million low-wage workers and 11.1 million out-of-work adults at that time, via @MarthaHRoss & @nicbateman1.
280,000 in cheap, short-term programs is not even a drop in the bucket. Then we wonder why it doesn't work?
https://www.brookings.edu/research/meet-the-low-wage-workforce/ https://www.brookings.edu/research/meet-the-out-of-work/
280,000 in cheap, short-term programs is not even a drop in the bucket. Then we wonder why it doesn't work?
https://www.brookings.edu/research/meet-the-low-wage-workforce/ https://www.brookings.edu/research/meet-the-out-of-work/
Second, many people misunderstand what adult learners want and need. Most adults don't just need skills training, they need career coaching, access to professional networks, supportive services, flexible delivery of training, and work-based training. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/10/15/free-college-wont-be-enough-to-prepare-americans-for-the-future-of-work/
Third, we already piloted a wide range of innovative approaches to training through TAACCCT grants - nearly a $2 billion in sector-based community college pathway programs that included career coaching, employer engagement, supportive services, etc.
http://support.skillscommons.org/showcases/outcomes/
http://support.skillscommons.org/showcases/outcomes/
We don't need more experiments. The main problem is how hard it is to scale what works due to fragmented governance.
We need permanent funding streams for applied learning pathways in higher ed combined with the one-on-one career services & supportive services from WIOA.
We need permanent funding streams for applied learning pathways in higher ed combined with the one-on-one career services & supportive services from WIOA.
There's quite a lot of evidence that those models were effective, even though the evaluations likely under-estimated outcomes & impacts because they were conducted before many students completed.
https://luminafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/impacts-of-key-community-college-strategies-on-non-degree-credential-completion-by-adult-learners.pdf
https://luminafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/impacts-of-key-community-college-strategies-on-non-degree-credential-completion-by-adult-learners.pdf
Fourth, we have an over-abundance of fragmented employment and training programs and each is spread too thin. We over-target specific populations instead of providing a core foundation of support. GAO counted 43 separate E&T programs. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-200
My recent research with employers also suggests long-term pipeline gaps in applied training programs that combine experiential learning on the job with related instruction, applying what they learn to a specific sector. Especially things like data science, biology, & robotics.
So what do we do about it?
1) Shift WIOA emphasis to offering one-on-one career coaching to all who need it. Provide supportive services. Engage sector committees of employers to identify shared skill needs. Co-locate job centers at public college & university campuses.
1) Shift WIOA emphasis to offering one-on-one career coaching to all who need it. Provide supportive services. Engage sector committees of employers to identify shared skill needs. Co-locate job centers at public college & university campuses.
2) Provide a permanent funding stream in higher ed to offer applied sector pathways training that are stackable, modularized, credit-bearing but also integrated with employment. Have WIOA provide the wrap-around services & job placement.
3) Given demand has collapsed, invest in pathways with long-term talent pipeline problems & subsidize employment through modern apprenticeship, public service jobs, etc. Align workforce boards with econ dev areas. Connect training to industrial recruitment & revitalization.
4) Make sure the new system has a process for incorporating ongoing feedback from job seekers, employers, and staff through human-centered design #HCD. This will help ensure programs add value for those who use them, unlike policy fails like TAA. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/11/12/displaced-workers-need-more-than-what-economists-are-suggesting/
If you need a good primer on our programs for economic security and career advancement, and how they compare to other OECD countries, check this series out. https://www.oecd.org/unitedstates/back-to-work-united-states-9789264266513-en.htm
That's my vision. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
