A major contributing factor in the struggle to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has been the system’s lack of ability to collectively report fully-vetted benefit-cost assessment and impact data. The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) conducted a 2011 survey in which the top challenge reported by workforce investment boards (WIBs) across the country was demonstrating success/investment feasibility to funders and elected officials (55%). Only 58% of WIBs actually measure investment effectiveness or impact analysis on WIA and/or non-WIA funded activities.
Herein lies one of the critical challenges facing the system in reauthorization of WIA—the system’s lack of ability to report fully vetted benefit-cost assessment and impact data collectively to demonstrate the system’s effectiveness. Just one published report showcasing a poorly designed methodology can destroy the credibility of the entire system.
Full Capacity Marketing, Inc. (FCM) has joined in a collaborative partnership with the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), and EMSI to undertake a process to design an economic impact scorecard model that examines the economic impact and investment effectiveness of the WIBs’ WIA-funded jobseeker programs, as well as the WIBs’ employer-based services. The NAWB has contracted with three of the nation’s top economists to fully vet the model. Additionally, FCM is developing the communication framework to help WIBs share the results of study. The team of project partners shares the core components required for replication of the study process, including data collection, model development, analysis, and communication of results.
The pilot will be completed in early January, and the team is scheduled to present the findings at the NAWB Annual Forum in March 2012. Read the full press release at http://www.fullcapacitymarketing.com/pressroom.shtml
