Start Early
To ensure precise data collection of career advancement among participants in a program like the Jobs Initiative, start early.
Sadly, one out of four working families does not earn enough to meet its basic financial needs. In response, a priority of the Casey Foundation’s Jobs Initiative was to improve programs and policies around career advancement through the use of data. This research brief explores the findings and challenges of data collected over an eight-year period on thousands of individuals placed in jobs as a result of this effort.
To ensure precise data collection of career advancement among participants in a program like the Jobs Initiative, start early.
It’s important to collect job earnings data at key points throughout workers’ participation in the program.
For workers placed through the Jobs Initiative who achieved 12-month retention, wages increased significantly compared to those who did not achieve 12-month retention.
A worker’s wage increases and/or improved benefits can help determine whether their overall employment situation has improved.
To effectively collect data on workers placed through the Jobs Initiative over the long-term, participating employers must be willing to invest in measurement tools and tracking technologies as well as offer worker incentives – from providing transportation passes to hosting alumni events – that help keep participating employees engaged with their organization,and inspired to advance their careers.
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