About the Study

The purpose of this project is to understand the implementation and effectiveness of select training and related services in the Ready to Work (RTW) Partnership grant program. It includes an implementation study to understand how the programs were designed and implemented and an impact study to measure the effectiveness of these programs in improving participants' short and long-term outcomes. The RTW grants are intended to assist long-term unemployed workers in gaining the skills and competencies needed to obtain employment in high-growth industries or economic sectors, and to better meet employer needs for jobs currently being filled through the H-1B visa program. The study will examine how four different RTW programs were designed and implemented, and measure the impact of these programs in improving participants' short and long-term outcomes. Together, these two components of the evaluation will provide lessons for future programs and practices.

    Project Duration: 56 Months

    Contract End Date: May 2022

    Contractor: Abt Associates, with MEF Associates

    For More Information: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov

    The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy. CEO’s research development process includes extensive technical review at the design, data collection and analysis stage, including: external contractor review and OMB review and approval of data collection methods and instruments per the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) review to ensure studies adhere to the highest ethical standards, review by academic peers (e.g., Technical Working Groups), and inputs from relevant DOL agency and program officials and CEO technical staff. Final reports undergo an additional independent expert technical review and a review for Section 508 compliance prior to publication. The resulting reports represent findings from this independent research and do not represent DOL positions or policies.