Skip to main content
WorkforceGPS logo
Level 1: Impact Analysis
Research/Evaluation Report

Workforce Training Academy Connect Program: Three-Year Impact Project

About

This report documents the three-year impact after random assignment for the Workforce Training Academy Connect (WTA) program. WTA aimed to help low-skilled adults improve their basic math and reading skills in order to engage in occupational training in fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and administrative support. WTA is one of nine programs under evaluation for the Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) project.

The major WTA Connect program components include:

  1. Basic skills remediation through a self-paced, internet-based curriculum and instructor-supervised labs;
  2. Short-term occupational certificate training courses;
  3. Proactive advising to help participants enroll, identify barriers to participation, and monitor academic progress;
  4. Financial support covering program services and training course materials (provided at no cost to participants); and
  5. Employment supports.

The evaluation of WTA Connect used an experimental design to assess impacts on postsecondary training, earnings and employment, and other life outcomes.

The research questions were:

  1. Three years after random assignment, what were the effects of WTA Connect on educational outcomes?
  2. What were the effects of WTA Connect on entry into career-track employment and higher earnings?
  3. What were the effects of WTA Connect on individual and family well-being, including income and other life outcomes?

The Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) project is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. PACE is a multi-site experimental evaluation of programs that incorporate some features of a career pathways framework.

This evaluation, the Career Pathways Intermediate Outcomes Study, extends the follow-up period to three years for programs in the PACE project. Future reports produced by the Career Pathways Long-Term Outcomes Study will extend the follow-up period further. (https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/project/pathways-advancing-careers-and-edu…)

(The report is 52 pages long.)

Major Findings and Recommendations

The report indicates that after three years, WTA Connect:

  • Modestly increased the receipt of exam-based credentials.
  • Had no detectable impact on average quarterly earnings in follow-up quarters 12 and 13 (the study’s confirmatory outcome) or on employment.
  • Increased confidence in career knowledge, but not access to career supports.
  • Had no detectable impact on measures of job quality or family economic well-being.

Materials

Comments

Content Details

Methodology:

Experimental Impact Analyses Random Control Trials

Topics:

Distance Learning Occupational/Technical Training Academic Advising Job Readiness Services - General Job Placement - General Planning/Policy/Governance/Leadership - General

Target Populations:

Limited English Proficiency Limited Skills/Education Low-Wage Worker

Programs:

Non-Program Specific

Geographic Locations:

Iowa

Industry Sectors:

Healthcare Manufacturing - General Professional/Business Services
  • Last Updated:
  • Created:
  • Resource Publication Date: 2021
  • Author(s): Judkins, D.; Walton, D.; Durham, G.; and Litwok, D.
  • Funding Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
  • Resource Availability: Publicly available
  • Posted by: Wesley Peterson
  • Posted in: Workforce System Strategies

Error

An error has occurred. The details of this error have been forwarded to our technical team. If you continue to experience issues, please contact our support team at support@workforcegps.org.

Event has ended