The U.S. Department of Labor announced the Workforce Data Quality Initiative which includes $10 million in grants to improve workforce and education data collection.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s $10 million in grants will help states meet federal requirements set forth under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as well as promote accountability and transparency. The goal of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative is to encourage coordination between workforce and education programs so students are receiving the right instruction to prepare them for in-demand jobs in growth industries. The $10 million in grants will be used to help expand understanding about how education and workforce development programs work hand-in-hand to improve economic sustainability.
State workforce agencies can use the grants to improve the quality and accessibility of workforce data. More specifically, the federal funding can help states:
- Develop or improve state workforce longitudinal databases with individual-level information
- Enable workforce data to be matched with education data to create longitudinal data systems
- Improve the quality and breadth of the data in the workforce data systems
- Use longitudinal data to provide useful information about program operations
- Analyze the performance of education and employment training programs
- Provide user-friendly information to consumers in the form of scorecards or integrated digital platforms so they can select the best training and education programs
Working synergistically with the U.S. Department of Education’s Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grant Program, the Workforce Data Quality Initiative aims to increase access to updated data on workforce and education opportunities and performance. This information can help employers, workers and job seekers determine which programs can help them achieve their goals. The two grant programs are working together to boost accountability and transparency while connecting data infrastructure across industry programs to help states comply with performance accountability requirements.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act passed in 2014 is designed to help build stronger workforces across the country to fill key jobs in growth industries. When education and economic goals align, states are better equipped to compete in the global economy. The WIOA initiatives include:
- Aligning federal investments to support job seekers and employers
- Strengthening the governing bodies over workforce investment priorities
- Helping employers find workers with key skills
- Aligning goals and increasing accountability and information for job seekers
- Fostering regional collaboration to meet the needs of regional economies
- Targeting workforce services to better serve job seekers
- Improving services to individuals with disabilities
- Supporting access to services
The WIOA is helping states create one-stop career centers that provide access to resources for all stages of a career lifecycle. The act reinforces collaboration between municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions and private sector organizations.
The WIOA also places greater emphasis on youth programs to ensure the right education resources are available early on. The act calls for the creation of new youth programs focused on:
- Financial literacy
- Entrepreneurial skills training
- Services that provide labor market and employment information in the local area
- Activities that help youth transition to postsecondary education and training
- Education offered concurrently with workforce preparation activities
Furthermore, at least 20 percent of local youth formula funds must be used for work experiences such as internships and job shadowing, while 75 percent of state and local youth funding should be used for out-of-school youth between the ages of 16-24 not attending any school.
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