Madison Strategies Group (operating the WorkAdvance model)
Program basics
- Seeks to increase employment and earnings through sector-specific training and support
- Includes intensive screening, career readiness assessment, and occupational skills training leading to a credential, job development and placement, and potential for retention and advancement
- Targeted sectors include manufacturing, transportation, accounting, IT, logistics, and health care
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Promising (Third-highest tier)
?
Promising (Third-highest tier)
Tulsa Community WorkAdvance is not yet in any of the major clearinghouses, but has demonstrated positive results in an independent, high-quality evaluation conducted by MDRC.
Target population
Low- and moderate-income adults
Program cost
$6,032 per participant
Implementation locations
- Tulsa, OK
Dates active
2011-Present
Outcomes and impact
- Increased average annual earnings by $787 within 4–8 years
Keys to successful implementation
- Note: This content is under review.
- Identify local sectors that demonstrate high current demand for middle- and entry-level jobs, along with significant opportunities for advancement. Confirm that other job training programs are not already working to fill that demand.
- Prioritize sectors which have the potential for higher wages and better benefits – especially in the long term.
- Engage with employers in high-demand industries regularly, including soliciting input on specific training and coursework.
- Training should include both technical and work readiness and advancement skills. In both cases, the training should be as industry-specific as possible.
- Set reasonable, flexible participant screening criteria to ensure enrollment expectations are fulfilled and participants reflect their communities.
- Once participants are placed in jobs, maintain regular dialogue with employers to further improve the program and update it to meet a given sector’s changing needs.
