Chicago, like most of the nation, is facing a high rate of unemployment, even while many businesses report a shortage of skilled labor. At the same time, many working residents in low-skilled jobs struggle to make ends meet, but lack the skills necessary to move into higher paying jobs. Although the area is home to numerous workforce development programs, little is known about what makes a program successful and about how these programs might help to improve employment for participants.

Chapin Hall is engaged in a number of projects that explore issues around workforce development programs with a particular focus on the Chicago area.

Chicago’s Labor Force in Context: How Chicago’s Population, Local Economy, and Labor Force Have Changed over Time and How They Compare to Other Cities

During the recent economic downturn, many questions were raised about how to improve the local Chicago economy and reduce high unemployment rates. To help understand the extent of the problem and to begin identifying ways to address challenging economic conditions, this report places Chicago’s economic experience within a broader context, assessing how Chicago’s population, workforce, and industries have changed over time and how they compare to other cities. This report provides longitudinal and comparative analysis of the Chicago economy and labor force to inform workforce development policymakers about the changing characteristics and experiences of the workforce. This analysis uses U.S. Census data to describe the population, industries, and labor force of Chicago over time and to compare them to other major metropolitan areas. The report includes analysis on population and demographic characteristics, industries in the local economy, employment and labor force participation, and several special topics, such as younger workers, older workers, those currently enrolled in education while employed, and family income inequality.

CWICstats: Chicago Workforce Development Research and Data Initiative

One cornerstone of Chapin Hall’s work in this domain is CWICstats, a research and data initiative that collects, analyzes, and disseminates information on the performance of Chicago-area workforce development programs

CWICstats is designed to provide policymakers and funders with reliable data and analysis on the workforce development system and its outcomes. Information provided by CWICstats helps stakeholders make better investment decisions and, ultimately, gives residents the information they need to find appropriate programs and services. CWICstats aims to identify areas of innovation and, in partnership with the Chicago Workforce Investment Council (CWIC), develop a better understanding of program participants and outcomes, thereby helping workforce development policymakers and providers deliver effective services to respond to the needs of residents and businesses.

CWICstats matches administrative program data from partner agencies to wage data in order to understand individual residents’ employment outcomes before, during, and after participating in workforce programs. CWICstats researchers develop a regular program “benchmarking report” using meaningful performance measures that policymakers and managers within the workforce system can use. These data are also used as part of several CWICstats research studies that are currently underway to better understand the participants in these programs, their experiences during program participation, and ultimately their employment outcomes. In addition, a quarterly “dashboard report” providing key local labor market indicators for policymakers, program managers, and the public is also produced and is available on Chapin Hall’s website.

Chicago Workforce Development Programs: System Map and Inventory

Chapin Hall researchers have developed an overview of federal, state, and city workforce development programs within the City of Chicago. This report provides an inventory of programs with a general description of the types of services, program eligibility, and the policies and funding supporting the programs. The report also features a map of the Chicago workforce development system, with a graphic depiction of program administration.

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services: WIA-Certified Training Program Resource Guide Website

Chapin Hall has worked with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and the Chicago Workforce Investment Council to develop a website that serves as a resource for those looking for information about WIA-certified training programs in Chicago. The purpose of this website is to provide information about Workforce Investment Act (WIA)-certified training programs for individuals seeking training, WIA case managers, and employers hiring training participants. The website offers details about Chicago-area WIA training providers, including program information, outcomes, as well as participant and employer feedback. This site provides WIA training participants and WIA case managers with the tools to help individuals make decisions about which WIA certified training programs may best help participants achieve their educational and occupational goals. This website can be found at: www.ChicagolandWIAtraining.com.

Study of Factors Related to Successful Workforce Development Program Practices

This pilot study, funded by the Ford Foundation, aims to identify the various influences on successful workforce development program outcomes. The goal of this research is to improve the understanding of what factors contribute to workforce development program success, such as how individual participant, community, organizational, and programmatic influences contribute to achievement of positive employment outcomes. Additionally, the study assesses how programs measure these factors and program outcomes and explores how workforce programs use data and information to improve services and performance. This pilot study aims to inform program providers, policymakers, and researchers about the array of individual and contextual factors that may contribute to successful workforce programs and explore possible ways to measure and further study their influence on achievement of program and individual outcomes.

Chicago Career Tech Job Training Program Evaluation

The Chicago Career Tech Job Training Program Evaluation is devoted to assessing employment outcomes of its training participants. The program is an intensive 6-month, 6-day-a-week technology training and subsidized-wage program for dislocated white collar workers in Chicago. This evaluation has two components: (1) gathering and assessing Chicago Career Tech program participants’ employment outcomes by surveying participants 90 days after completion of the program, and (2) analyzing administrative data to assess employment outcomes for one year after program completion and comparing outcomes of Chicago Career Tech participants to a matched sample of similar training participants from other programs. This evaluation will help the Chicago Career Tech program determine their program’s impact on its participants in terms of achievement of positive employment outcomes.