Public Policy Associates, Inc. recently released a brief summarizing the remarkable achievements of a client, the Willamette Workforce Partnership, in its innovative approach to supporting job seekers.
Rethinking Job Search is a four-week cognitive-behavioral education program designed to enhance the ability to think and act effectively in managing the challenge of job-seeking, and ultimately to reduce the duration of time unemployed. The curriculum is grounded in educational learning objectives and uses methods such as self-reflection and facilitated discussion.
The program is also intended to improve the coordination and collaboration between the Unemployment Insurance Division and the Business & Employment Services Division at Oregon Employment Department (OED), local workforce boards, and American Job Centers (known in Oregon as WorkSource Oregon).
Key findings in the brief include:
- Performance objectives are being met. For example, 70% of enrollees are completing over 80% of the intervention sessions.
- Ninety-seven percent of participants exiting the Rethinking Job Search program would recommend it to other people.
- Recruitment is exceeding targets, despite low unemployment rates in the state overall.
- A total of 95% of completers reported being motivated to search for jobs.
PPA was selected as the evaluation team to determine the effectiveness of the program. For more information, contact Dr. McCrohan at nmccrohan@publicpolicy.com or 517-485-4477.