1. FLMM Conference on LMI February 12-14, 2007 Winnipeg, Manitoba Taking Stock of LMI – Developing Evidence on Impacts

2. Overview LMI and Accountability The Evaluation Problem in General Developing Evidence on Impacts for Governments – General Considerations

3. Governments, Managers and Others are asking questions … Do we have right information? Are we making the right investments? Whose responsibility is LMI? –The market’s? The governments’? Etc. Where is the (hard) evidence on impacts? –Current answers not fully satisfactory…

4. The Evaluation Problem - General Providing evidence on impacts is an “evaluation” activity An “impact” is about cause and effect; for gov’t program evaluations, it’s about attributing cause based on scientific research methods To estimate impacts is to compare two states of the world: one with the program and one without; and to have outcomes that can be measured The greatest difficulty lies in creating the world without the program

5. InputProcessOutcomes What is LMI?Distribution mode (intermediaries) To Whom It May Concern (Users) For What? (Purpose) Target Outcomes/impact (Change due to LMI) Subject matter : Occupations Education Community Business and work opportunities Characteristics: Quantity Quality Complexity Accuracy Ease of access Relevance ? o Society o Government o Individuals o Families/Employers o Career and guidance counselors People o Self-serve o Parents o Friends o Relatives o Counsellors o Teachers o Libraries o Business associations o Communities o Educators / trainers o HR consultants Settings: o Books, magazines, newspapers, etc. o Television, radio o Internet o Workplaces o Advertisements on billboards, buses o Government Offices o Schools/colleges/universities o Personnel agencies o Employment offices o HR consulting firms o Chamber of Commerce Types of users: o Students, families o Unemployed/employed o Immigrants o Businesses/Employers o Communities o Schools o Career counselors Characteristics of users: o Sex o Age o Cultural attachment o Education (own, parents, friends) o Interests o Perceived lmkt options o Career Maturity o Decision making skills o Personality type (introvert / extroverts, thinking / feeling type) o Personal characteristics (e.g., pro-active, outgoing, curious, obsessive, self- reliant,) o Income o Skill competencies o Literacy o Occupation o Work experience Purpose o Career Decision- Making o Education/training decisions o Job search o Job Maintenance o Hiring o Retention o Investment Activities oLength of time oHomework ? LMI IN THE REAL WORLD - IT’S COMPLICATED.

6. The Way Forward…

7. General Approach – Developing Evidence on Impacts for Gov’ts Establish shared understanding of modern labour market & role of and requirement for LMI – common language Pay attention to perspective Strategically select set of research questions and areas where info on impacts most relevant –Analyze which can be answered with existing info –Identify which need more info & best way for obtaining it Think outside the box