With support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) will organize an advisory council of workers/learners from across the country to rethink how workforce program success is measured and the metrics used to do so. Workforce programs are commonly developed because labor market data projects growth in a specific occupation or industry. Or, in replication of models that have demonstrated success in other sectors or cities. But how do we know if programs are achieving their intended impact within the communities where they operate? How do we know what communities want from workforce programs, or even how success is defined?
CSW’s Improving Practices & Outcomes team will convene 8 workers/learners from across the country to rethink how program success is defined, develop new metrics reflective of this definition, and issue recommendations to providers and funders on incorporating key findings into everyday practice.
What is the purpose of the advisory council?
The goal of the advisory council is to deepen understanding of how workforce program participants define successful participation in a workforce development program. Generally, the success of workforce development programs is measured through metrics developed by program funders. These metrics are largely quantitative and are focused on the earnings of program participants. While this data is important, it overlooks the psychological benefits of workforce program participation, like housing, wellness, hope, and self-esteem.. CSW believes that this advisory council, a first-of-its-kind undertaking, will lead the field to consider an alternative definition of success, one developed by the participants and alumni of workforce programs.
CSW committed significant time to research strategies to center worker/learner voice in program design, implementation, and evaluation. CSW chose to convene an advisory council because it will allow workers/learners to work together for an extended period of time while receiving compensation and formal recognition for their work on the program.
How will council members spend their time on the advisory council?
Council members will be asked to contribute 34 hours between April and December 2023. It is not expected that any council member would be asked to contribute more than 6 hours in one month.
It is anticipated that council members will spend their time:
- Learning about the workforce development system through readings, workshops, and interviews with leaders from the workforce, labor, and community organizing systems;
- Developing questions for and facilitating interviews and focus groups with workers/learners who have experienced varying levels of access as participants in workforce development programs;
- Co-creating an online survey for completion by workers and learners;
- Developing key recommendations that are informed by interview, focus group, and survey findings
Read about the initial learnings from the 2023 WCBP fellows:
How will council members be compensated for their time?
Council members will receive compensation of $25 per hour and up to $850 total for their contributions to the advisory council. Their names will also appear on the CSW website along with a link to their LinkedIn page, if desired. Please note that payments will be made through gift cards.
Who is qualified to participate?
Council members need to be:
- Age 18 or older
- Able to commit up to 6 hours per month (April to December) to the Worker Centered Benchmarking Project
- Current or previous participants of vocational or job readiness training program or a workforce development program. Examples of vocational or job readiness training programs may include occupational skills training, generalized job readiness training, Job Corps, apprenticeship, etc.
- Interested in understanding how workforce development programs work and participating in a project that will help to inform workforce development policy
Inclusivity and diversity are core values of the Worker Centered Benchmarking Project. We are keen to comprise an advisory that is racially, ethnically, age, and gender diverse, and includes learners from across the country.
What’s the commitment from Advisory Council members?
- 25-30 hours of virtual meetings beginning with a one-hour orientation in mid-April and participation in capacity building meetings from 1-3 PM EST on April 24, 25, 26, 2023
- 4-6 hours of work in between sessions completing readings or developing interview questions
Application Process and Deadline
The Worker Center Benchmarking Project Advisory Council application process consists of:
- Submission of an online application that will take 10-15 minutes to complete
- Completion of a Zoom interview with a member of the CSW staff
The 2023 WCBP application is closed. Thank you for your interest, and please check back for future openings.
WCBP Facilitation Team
Chioke Mose-Telesford, Director of Improving Practice and Outcomes, CSW, cmosetelesford@skilledwork.org, 206-604-6261
Alex Breen, Senior Policy Associate, CSW, abreen@skilledwork.org, 917-547-9698
Rachel Whilby, Research Associate, CSW, rwhilby@skilledwork.org
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