sustainable employment

updates

Capacity Building Initiative: Research and Evaluation (continued)

In the spring of 2005, UWMB commissioned CommCorp to investigate career-focused models for sustainable employment. We hoped to expand our understanding of integrated service models that combine basic skills education with occupational training, employability skills and supportive services. CommCorp approached the project by reviewing the literature on the subject and by studying the employment-related services at ten UWMB affiliated agencies. Additionally, CommCorp hosted a group discussion with representatives from the ten organizations to probe more deeply into the question of how low-income workers can be helped to achieve family-sustaining employment.

Key findings of the study include:

• The diverse needs of program participants call for a diversity of solutions,
• If United Way-affiliated agencies and other organizations are to assist people in moving to sustainable employment, they must continue to provide services after their clients have been placed in entry-level jobs.
• While sustainable employment is an important long-term goal, it is also important to emphasize employability and the capacity to adopt to a changing environment.

To learn more, please check out the research brief, Sustainable Employment: No Shortcuts to Living Wage Jobs, available at the following link: http://www.uwmb.org/ourwork/documents/ResearchBrief-SE-07.pdf