Earnings Progression among Workforce Development Participants: Evidence from Washington State

"This research measures earnings progression among participants in federally funded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs in the state of Washington during the period 2001-2008, compared to that among participants in less intensive workforce services. Unlike previous evaluations that have emphasized earnings levels, this study addresses earnings progression in order to assess whether workers reach economic self-sufficiency within a short time after program participation. Using merged administrative data from the Unemployment Insurance system and the state's Services, Knowledge and Information Exchange System for workforce management, the question addressed by this research is: What is the difference in earnings progression between individuals in Washington who have received services from WIA Title I-B Adult training, intensive, or core programs and those who received services from only the Labor Exchange program?” (ETA Abstract). (Abstractor: Author)

"These findings indicate that, once observable differences in the two groups were minimized, WIA participants in Washington State experienced approximately the same or lower earnings growth as their Labor Exchange counterparts who received less intensive services... An important consideration is that WIA participants are more disadvantaged, on average, than Labor Exchange clients. Nevertheless, the results are somewhat surprising considering the resource investments in training and placement, as well as explicit efforts to assist workers obtain good jobs and higher incomes" (p.29). "The total number of individuals in the analysis is 39,981. Of these, 13,261 received a WIA Adult service" (p.8). (Abstractor: Author)

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2011
• Author(s): Chrisinger, Colleen
• Organizational Author(s): University of Oregon, Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management
• Funding Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Melissa Mack
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies