The IPARRT team is working closely with Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), to conduct an external process evaluation of the Worker Connection program. This innovative pilot program integrates coordinated, evidence-informed practices to identify individuals from underserved and/or marginalized populations seeking to connect with the workforce and expand their career opportunities in two designated regions in Wisconsin. Project staff provide free navigation services to identify participant interests, values, and conditions of work. Through the provision of career navigation supports, they then help connect participants with resources, trainings, and in-demand career paths in their region. Individuals seeking training in specific sectors can participate in the WorkAdvance track which partners with organizations and businesses to support their workforce needs.
The process evaluation aims to answer the following questions:
Question 1: Was the Worker Connection targeted outreach, career navigation, and WorkAdvance training implemented as proposed?
a. Can a fidelity model(s) be developed based on findings?
b. What are the key components of implemented targeted outreach, career navigation, and WorkAdvance training?
Question 2: Are Career Navigators connecting to all people or a subset of individuals who could benefit from career navigation and WorkAdvance services?
Question 3: Does career navigation (including referring participants to WorkAdvance) help get people the services and training needed to reach career goals?
Question 4: Did people get “good”/self-sustaining matches to jobs that were in line with their interests, skills, abilities?
a. Are there short-term and/or long-term services/supports needed to ensure job matches are “good”/self-sustaining?
Question 5: Should the training and work duties of the Career Navigators and the WorkAdvance training be expanded and standardized for other career coaches and service providers funded by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants?Are career navigators implementing services consistent with the training they received?
a. How should career navigation, coaching, and WorkAdvance training services be standardized to increase the likelihood of matching people with “good”/self-sustaining jobs?
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