1. 1 The National Fund NATIONAL EVALUATION The First Five Years Navjeet Singh Deputy Director National Fund for Workforce Solutions nsingh@jff.org 617-728-4446 x220

2. Agenda  Sources  The National Fund Model  Achievements  Goals & Achievements  Systems Change  How well is the Model being followed  National Fund Influence  Satisfaction with Services  The Next Phase 2

3. Sources of Information  Reports (available at nfwsolutions.org/evaluation) 1. National Fund Principles: Collaborative and Partnership Achievements (August 2012) 2. Systems Change Activities and Achievements (August 2012) 3. Summary of Findings: Fourth Annual National Evaluation Report (August 2012) 4. Implementing the National Fund for Workforce Solutions (May 2013) Data Brief for the Fourth National Evaluation Report o Survey of Collaboratives (April-May 2013) 3

4. The National Fund Model & Goals National Fund for Workforce Solutions/ Jobs for the Future Systems Change: National, State & Industry Employers Served Individuals Served, Trained, Placed, Retained Regional Collaboratives Systems Change: State policy & $ Employers Served Individuals Served, Trained, Placed, Retained Industry Partnerships Employers Served, Systems Change Individuals Served Trained, Employed, Retained 4

5. Most Significant Achievements  Developed new, demand-driven workforce partnership models  Realized significant changes in public policy to support workforce development  Built new regional leadership mechanisms to catalyze change and promote workforce innovation 5

6. “Developed and supported three employer-driven sector partnerships that have served more than 6,100 individuals since 2008.” Source: Survey of NFWS Collaboratives, April-May 2013 6

7. The First Five Years of the National Fund Goals  Systems change at the national, state and local levels  Support collaboratives in 30+ regions  Assist 2,000 employers  Serve 50,000 job- seekers and incumbent workers Achievements  Reasonable success at Systems change at state and local levels  32 collaboratives engaged since 2007, 29 active  4,064 employers served  42,299 individual job- seekers and incumbents served, over 28,000 credentials 7

8. Systems Change: Where Did Collaboratives Have the Most Success?  Many had success changing the practices of education and training institutions  A few had significant results in changing workforce systems and public policy and ensuring resources at the state level.  Modest success in changing employer practices, such as hiring practices, and opportunities for advancement. 8

9. “…we’ve been able to advance the local workforce system … …. to a continually improving system with strong WIB leadership, a growing community college, and a cohort of providers that reflect best practices” Source: Survey of NFWS Collaboratives, April-May 2013 9

10. How well do Collaboratives follow the National Fund Model?  Three-fourths collaboratives showed moderate to high fidelity to the National Fund model  Higher fidelity related to success in in systems change  Least fidelity associated with weaknesses in:  Leadership  Investment, support and guidance of partnerships  Sustainability 10

11. How well do Partnerships follow the National Fund Model?  Higher fidelity associated with older partnerships (even older than NFWS) that are:  In Healthcare  Larger  Employer-initiated  Employer-led  Higher fidelity associated with overall outcomes for participants, employers and systems change 11

12. What Sectors are key?  Healthcare –- 38 of 96 active partnerships  Manufacturing –- 17 active partnerships  Construction –- 16 active partnerships  Emerging sectors: IT Hospitality  Declining Biotechnology 12

13. National Fund Influence on Collaboratives and Partnerships  Most influence in establishment and initial implementation stages of a collaborative’s life cycle  Relatively less influence in deepening implementation during a collaborative’s later stages of its life cycle  Most influence on Partnerships developing the twin pillars of employer engagement and career advancement. 13

14. Satisfaction with National Fund Support and Services  High levels of satisfaction with National Fund staff, communication about events/activities, and shared learning (invaluable peer network)  Satisfied and somewhat satisfied with coaching and clarity of model  Mixed around procurement ( RFP) process and management of grant agreements  Considerable room for improvement related to clarity/support around national and local evaluations 14

15. What have we learned?  Collaboratives, an innovation of NFWS, as an effective intermediary  Successful partnerships meet goals of both employers and low-skill workers  Most significant outcomes were in systems change – public policy and institutional practice.  Role for NFWS to support through-  Shared learning  Knowledge Transfer  Advocacy and Resources  Leadership Development 15

16. Next Phase: What would Collaboratives and Partnerships like  Sharing of and benchmarking best practices  More and expanded shared learning opportunities: Peer groups –other collaboratives Affinity groups Exposure/connection to leaders in the field  Continued funding or access to funding sources  Technical assistance, especially in employer engagement and fundraising  Focus on policy and communications 16

17. “We are changing the conversation about workforce development to one that has highlighted employer engagement and investment as well as credential attainment for adults.” 17 Source: Survey of NFWS Collaboratives, April-May 2013

18. BACKGROUND SLIDES 18

19. Individuals Served 19

20. Collaboratives: Significant Achievements by Major Category Top CategoriesCount Developed new, demand-driven workforce partnership models 11 Realized significant changes in public policy to support workforce development 9 Built new regional leadership mechanisms to catalyze change and promote workforce innovation 8 20

21. Significant Achievements by Activity Top ActivitiesCount Demand-driven workforce partnership models increased employer engagement/demand-driven perspective 6 career pathways and advancement for workers 4 new model implementation 3 labor market analysis and identification of career paths 2 Public policy and systems institutional changes community colleges/employers/public workforce 5 policy/legislative initiative to support workforce innovation 3 creation of new policy and system intermediaries 3 public funding increase 2 New regional thought leadership stakeholder cohesion/alignment7 catalytic and thought leadership in workforce development6 workforce funding aligned4 creation of new policy and system intermediaries3 21

22. Extent the National Fund Influenced Collaborative Activities and Practice 22

23. National Fund Influence on Collaborative’s Support of Partnerships 23 N=24

24. Partnerships: What are the key sectors? 24

25. Collaborative Satisfaction with NFWS 25

26. Additional Themes on Satisfaction  Model Provides credibility/legitimacy to our work Tremendous influence on our organization; provided framework that is clear, executable, and disciplined  Process NFWS requirements have disproportionately dictated the focus and investment of the collaborative – “tail wagging the dog” Expectations of outcomes unrealistic (new v older collaboratives) 26

27. Additional Themes on Satisfaction  Shared learning Created invaluable peer network But question remains how network is utilized and mobilized in new phase; high priority moving forward  Coaching helped to elevate work and move us to the next level expectations unclear in new phase 27

28. Next Phase Support for Collaboratives Type of Support for CollaborativesCount Sharing of and benchmarking best practices among collaboratives and in workforce development 13 Continued and expanded peer learning opportunities10 Continued funding or connections to other funding sources9 Amplify voice through publicity/communications as part of national effort 3 Continued or more coaching3 Support and advocacy for state and national policy3 28

29. Next Phase Support for Partnerships Type of Support for PartnershipsCount More shared learning through peer/affinity groups and exposure/connections to leaders in the field 9 Sharing of best practices9 Technical assistance, mostly general but some mention of employer engagement and fundraising 9 Continued funding or help with access to funding6 29