Making Better Work
Recovery. Equity. Automation. Climate. Quality jobs. For workforce professionals, these pose challenges and opportunities in equal measure. Making sense of it all starts with data. #MakingBetterWork talks with data insiders (from public, private, nonprofit sectors) who help us understand how modern education and labor markets work, and prepare for a #futureofwork we want to be part of. To learn more, visit https://www.spra.com/.
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Episode #26: "Our data is a reflection of our moral values.” JFFLabs’ Josh Copus and Eshwar Eswaran on the organization’s new Outcomes for Opportunity initiative (O4O).
12/14/2021
Episode #26: "Our data is a reflection of our moral values.” JFFLabs’ Josh Copus and Eshwar Eswaran on the organization’s new Outcomes for Opportunity initiative (O4O).
This week host Kristin Wolff explores O4O—an exciting effort within the ecosystem of program stakeholders, data and performance experts, and civic tech champions trying gain more value from the vast amount of data the workforce system collects. This JFFLabs’ initiative focuses on creating value at the local level. It has engaged seven workforce boards in a cooperative effort to use their collective data more effectively and share insights more widely—through analytics on the one hand, and user-generates data stories on the other. It’s an exciting vision that complements and enriches the work of the broader workforce data community and one you’ll want to learn more about. Listen now! , partners and team members, and . For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: Email Kristin: Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
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Episode #25: "We need to link how we track education and training in the classroom with what is occurring at work." SPR Senior Strategist Vinz Koller on opportunities in apprenticeship.
11/18/2021
Episode #25: "We need to link how we track education and training in the classroom with what is occurring at work." SPR Senior Strategist Vinz Koller on opportunities in apprenticeship.
It's Apprenticeship Week! #NAW2021 In honor of the occasion we're speaking with Vinz Koller about apprenticeship, data, equity and a vision for the future. Vinz leads the organization’s apprenticeship portfolio. Resources cited: Leveraging Workforce Data Systems to Improve Programs: The Case of Apprenticeship (A WDQI Resource Brief, 2021): How Apprenticeships for Opportunity Youth Stay Resilient (SPR & JFF): JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-based Learning: New America’s Center on Education & Labor: Vinz! For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: Email Kristin: Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
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Episode #24: “How does tech … innovate alongside government?” Bitwise Industries’ Michelle Skoor shares insights.
10/26/2021
Episode #24: “How does tech … innovate alongside government?” Bitwise Industries’ Michelle Skoor shares insights.
Michelle is Bitwise’s Chief Workforce Officer and served as Director and launch architect of the organization’s Onward platform, first developed in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Michelle helps catch us up on Bitwise’s growth—especially in apprenticeship—and shares important lessons about data and how it can be quickly deployed to help workforce agencies design programs (ongoing!) that get workers back on their feet quickly and with confidence. We’re really excited about this one! Have a listen! Resources: Bitwise Industries: The Onward platform: Digital New Deal: Bitwise in the midea: Michelle! https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleskoor/ For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: Email Kristin: [email protected] Social: @ @ on LinkedIn #MakingBetterWork Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
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Episode #23: Dr. Annelies Goger says we need “a data framework that mirrors a living system” — and can evolve with need.
09/03/2021
Episode #23: Dr. Annelies Goger says we need “a data framework that mirrors a living system” — and can evolve with need.
In this episode, Dr. Annelies Goger, Rubenstein Fellow at Brookings, shares her insights about workforce policy and programs and identifies practical steps we can take to improve them through better data and modern data systems. Annelies offers a rare perspective on workforce data. As a researcher with SPR, she evaluated programs and made policy recommendations to improve economic opportunities for people and communities. Poor, outdated, or hard-to-access data was a problem she experienced first- hand. While at Brookings, she has engaged dozens of researchers and practitioners—as well as legislators, policy makers, and technologists from across sectors—to inform her growing portfolio of work in the workforce policy—with data at its heart. (Follow @annelies_goger.) What a treat to see next generation workforce policy come to life in her work! Be sure and check out the resources cited during our discussion including: Digital Transformation in Education and Workforce Systems (Essay): https://www.brookings.edu/essay/digital-transformation-in-labor-and-education-systems/ Accompanying webcast: https://www.brookings.edu/events/improving-labor-and-education-data-systems-after-the-covid-19-unemployment-crisis/ The Labor Market Doesn’t Have a Skills Gap, It Has an Opportunity Gap (with Luther Jackson): https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/09/09/the-labor-market-doesnt-have-a-skills-gap-it-has-an-opportunity-gap/ De-segregating Work and Learning through ‘Earn and Learn’ Models: https://www.brookings.edu/research/desegregating-work-and-learning/ ApprenticeSIP Meet-up Group: https://www.meetup.com/ApprenticeSIP/ Doreen Massey’s Work on spatial division of labor and economic restructuring, and employment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doreen_Massey_(geographer) Institutions as Conscious Food Consumers (Edited Volume): https://www.elsevier.com/books/institutions-as-conscious-food-consumers/thottathil/978-0-12-813617-1 For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/903537e424bb/mbwnews Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: https://wdqi.youth.workforcegps.org/ Email Kristin: [email protected] Social: @kristinwolff @Social_Policy SPR on LinkedIn #MakingBetterWork Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
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Episode #22: “Setting up data systems for the next crisis – [that’s the] work now.” Checking in with New Jersey’s Dr. Sean Simone.
07/09/2021
Episode #22: “Setting up data systems for the next crisis – [that’s the] work now.” Checking in with New Jersey’s Dr. Sean Simone.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sean Simone, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development (Rutgers University) in New Jersey. We cover traditional workforce data topics – like NJ’s evolving training provider data systems (ETPL) – and what it means to build for the future. Sean understands the power of data to inform good strategy and practice, improve NJ residents lives and livelihoods, and rectify past injustices—and he’s doing everything in his power to bring these elements to the design and implementation of data systems, strategies, research, and consumer-facing tools in NJ and across the emerging Eastern States Data Collaborative. What a treat to speak with him! And of course, he shared resources galore. NJ Resources: · NJ Education to Earnings Data Systems https://njed2earndata.org/ · NJ ETPL https://njtrainingsystems.dol.state.nj.us/ and https://www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/coei/etpl_procedures.html · Heldrich Center for Workforce Development https://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/work/projects · Data for the American Dream (at Heldrich) https://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/work/data-american-dream National Resources: · Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research (CLEAR) https://clear.dol.gov/about · Workforce GPS https://wdqi.workforcegps.org/ · Commission on Evidence-based Policy (archive) https://bipartisanpolicy.org/commission-on-evidence-based-policymaking-archive/ · The Failure of Big Data to Address Problems in the Workforce during the COVID-19 Era, Sean Simon, for the Atlanta Federal Reserve (2021) https://www.atlantafed.org/cweo/workforce-currents/2021/04/16/the-failure-of-big-data-to-address-problems-in-the-workforce-during-the-covid-19-era · Future legislation? https://sites.ihep.org/postsecdata/data-at-work/better-data-horizon-analysis-evolving-student-level-data-legislation For more information: · Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/903537e424bb/mbwnews · Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: https://wdqi.youth.workforcegps.org/ · Email Kristin: [email protected] Social: @kristinwolff @Social_Policy SPR on LinkedIn #MakingBetterWork Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.
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Episode #21: The Promise of Cloud Technology meets the Urgency of Now: Making the Most of the Pandemic, with Dr. Julia Lane
02/15/2021
Episode #21: The Promise of Cloud Technology meets the Urgency of Now: Making the Most of the Pandemic, with Dr. Julia Lane
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Julia Lane, cofounder of the Coleridge Initiative—a program that aims to transform the way governments access and use data for social good. It’s a wide-ranging discussion covering major themes in Julia’s new book, Democratizing Our Data: A Manifesto, new public data demands sparked by the COVID crisis, as well as strategies for meeting urgent needs in the short term while building better systems infrastructure over time. Julie sees both critical urgency and limitless potential for using data more effectively to inform public policy, program designs, and the sequence and timing of interventions to produce better outcomes for people and communities. So many references! And we’ve got you covered: (2020) The /Administrative Data Research Facility () Collaborators National Convening: Jobs Data for Evidence-Based Policy () , David Card (2011) Foundations Catalyzing Change in the Public Data Space: and Land Grant Colleges/Agricultural Extension Programs For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: Email Julia: Email Kristin: [email protected] Social: @ @ on LinkedIn #MakingBetterWork Credits: Produced with support from the US Department of Labor’s WDQI Technical Support Project and (fantastic) Doug Foresta.
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Episode #20: "Cloud computing has democratized data….COVID has accelerated demand for it.”
11/25/2020
Episode #20: "Cloud computing has democratized data….COVID has accelerated demand for it.”
This episode is jaw-dropping. Spanning massive changes in data to the thriller-style story Rhode Island’s successful Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program launch in under 10 days, Dr. Justine Hastings shares a wealth of insights, lessons, and possibilities from her experience working with states to reimagine their data systems and applications. Justine* is the founding director at Research Improving People’s Lives or RIPL, a new kind of Data Science and Research Lab based in Rhode Island that works with public and social sector leaders from across the country to use data to improve policy and make people’s lives better. She’s one of a whole new class of data scientists that link academic, tech, data, and public policy. Longitudinal data systems (like the Workforce Data Quality Initiative) are at the center of these efforts. *Justine is a also polymath. She served on the Academic Research Council for the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and on the Council of Economic Advisors to the Governor of Rhode Island. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and remains Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs at Brown University and Faculty Research Associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research. References: Rhode Island Policy Lab () National Science Foundation , Initiative GovTech Article on PUA, featuring response For more information: Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: US Department of Labor’s WDQI Effort: Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: Social: @ @ on Facebook #MakingBetterWork Credits: Produced with support from the US Department of Labor’s WDQI Technical Support Project and (fantastic) Doug Foresta.
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Episode #19: COVID Chaos, Data & Silver Linings: No More Saying “We Can’t” Because We Just Demonstrated “We Can.”
08/25/2020
Episode #19: COVID Chaos, Data & Silver Linings: No More Saying “We Can’t” Because We Just Demonstrated “We Can.”
In this episode, we turn the tables. Producer Doug Foresta interviews Kristin Wolff about the impact of COVID-19 on WDQI and partner data projects. The two barely take a breath in this impromptu chat about the crises and opportunities the pandemic has made evident, and the vastly expanded stakeholder networks and partner ecosystems engaged in solutions work.
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Episode #18: Colorado’s Data Journey: “We’re building value for the future into our systems now.”
08/12/2020
Episode #18: Colorado’s Data Journey: “We’re building value for the future into our systems now.”
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Mark Duey and Kevan Fish, project leads for Colorado’s Workforce Data Quality Initiative with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
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Episode #17: California’s Building System to Help More Californians Benefit from the State’s Treasure Trove of Workforce Data
07/31/2020
Episode #17: California’s Building System to Help More Californians Benefit from the State’s Treasure Trove of Workforce Data
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Patrick Getz, project lead for California’s Workforce Data Quality Initiative, with the California Workforce Development Board.
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Episode #16: BrightHive Co-Founder Natalie Evans Harris: “Data & technology should enable people to do great things...Effective governance is how we do it."
03/14/2020
Episode #16: BrightHive Co-Founder Natalie Evans Harris: “Data & technology should enable people to do great things...Effective governance is how we do it."
Kristin Wolff talks with Natalie Evans Harris, BrightHive Co-Founder, Beeck Center (Georgetown) Fellow, and White House and National Security Administration Alumna. Natalie is one of the foremost experts in the country on data governance. She’s worked at the highest levels of the federal government and also with state and local community-based organizations; with the public and private sectors separately and in collaboration.
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Episode #15: Longitudinal data system building in Maine: ‘Our mission is to support data-based decision making and evaluation.’
03/04/2020
Episode #15: Longitudinal data system building in Maine: ‘Our mission is to support data-based decision making and evaluation.’
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Hunter Morancy, Senior Economic Research Analyst at the Center for Workforce Research and Information in Maine. Hunter is the point person for Maine’s Workforce Data Quality Initiative or WDQI, part of the national effort to build longitudinal workforce data systems supported by the US Department of Labor.
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Episode #14: The Shift from Compliance to Learning: How Public Agencies are Using Data to Learn What Works
03/02/2020
Episode #14: The Shift from Compliance to Learning: How Public Agencies are Using Data to Learn What Works
“The changes are staggering!” In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Dr. Marian Negoita, Senior Associate at Social Policy Research (what a treat to interview a colleague!). Marian is an expert in federal program evaluation. He’s evaluated dozens of workforce, education, and human services programs all over the country and in his home state of California. For those new to the evaluation business, this podcast is a master class. For those who get excited about using data to make a difference in peoples’ lives, Marian is your kind of researcher. For more information: Examples of Dr. Negoita’s work: Evaluation Collaborative/ Belleview College Brief: (because Dr. Negoita does a lot of different kinds of research) Social Policy Research Associates https://www.spra.com/ Social: Twitter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marian-negoita-3a597a8/ Disclaimer: This podcast was produced by Social Policy Research and Workforce 180 with support from the US Department of Labor. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the US Department of Labor or other public agencies (state, federal, or local). Mentions of trade names, commercial products or organizations does not imply endorsement of same by the US Government or representatives
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Episode #13: Is it time to “knit together the workforce system crazy quilt of data so we can really use it to drive performance?” Dr. Joshua Hawley (The Ohio State University) thinks so.
02/25/2020
Episode #13: Is it time to “knit together the workforce system crazy quilt of data so we can really use it to drive performance?” Dr. Joshua Hawley (The Ohio State University) thinks so.
Dr. Josh Hawley is a workforce data guru. An Associate Professor in the Glenn College and an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University, Dr. Hawley also leads the Ohio Education Research Center, a collaboration of six Ohio universities and four research organizations aimed at bridging research, policy and practice around education in the State of Ohio, pre-school through workforce.
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Episode #12: Kristin Talks with Joshua Mallett About the New (Researchers’) World of Collaborative Tools, Reproducible Research, and DataViz and How They Can Help Us Move Forward Faster
02/06/2020
Episode #12: Kristin Talks with Joshua Mallett About the New (Researchers’) World of Collaborative Tools, Reproducible Research, and DataViz and How They Can Help Us Move Forward Faster
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Joshua Mallett, Senior Associate at Social Policy Research (what a treat to interview a colleague!)
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Episode #11: Reflecting on the World of Workforce Data- Looking Back, Looking Forward
01/01/2020
Episode #11: Reflecting on the World of Workforce Data- Looking Back, Looking Forward
In episode, we turn the tables and interview Kristin Wolff, the host of #MakingBetterWork about what’s going on in the world of workforce data and what we can look forward to next year – and it’s a lot. Turns out the data can be useful in helping us navigate the #FutureofWork.
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Episode #10: “Data. It’s every bit as important as oil or sunshine. Our partners know that.” How Mississippi is Using Data to Transform its Education and Workforce Systems
12/27/2019
Episode #10: “Data. It’s every bit as important as oil or sunshine. Our partners know that.” How Mississippi is Using Data to Transform its Education and Workforce Systems
In this episode, our host, Kristin Wolff, talks with Laura Ring and Dr. Jonathan Barlow. Laura is the Director of the Office of Grant Management at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, and Jonathan is the Associate Director of Software Architecture and Development at NSPARC – National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center – located on the Mississippi State University Campus in Starkville. Grab your trainers and chart your course – this episode is longer than most and you’ll want to hear every word. We discuss how to build sustainable partnerships, the key turning points in the evolution of Mississippi’s longitudinal data system, and a raft of new products and tools under development now. Jonathan and Laura’s rich explanations and stories paint a picture of how policy and program work changes when data is connected, supported by high-quality governance structures, and used collectively, and why that’s so important for Mississippi students, workers, and businesses. It’s a remarkable story. Have a listen. For more information: · MS Department of Employment Security: https://mdes.ms.gov/information-center/; MSWorks: https://www.mississippiworks.org/; MSWorks App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ms-works/id773775917 · NSPARC: https://www.nsparc.msstate.edu/ · About the Hub: https://www.govtech.com/workforce/New-State-Hub-Connects-Mississippi-Agencies-Around-Workforce-Data.html · Find Laura: https://mdes.ms.gov/information-center/about-mdes/contact-us/ · Find Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-barlow-97174661/ · MS Scorecard: https://swib.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ScoreCardApril19.pdf Social: · Twitter: @NSPARC_MSState · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nsparc/ _______ Disclaimer: This podcast was produced by Social Policy Research and Workforce 180 with support from the US Department of Labor. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the US Department of Labor or other public agencies (state, federal, or local). Mentions of trade names, commercial products or organizations does not imply endorsement of same by the US Government or representatives.
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Episode #9: Structuring Data and Exploring Credentials of Value- A Conversation with the Workforce Data Quality Campaign’s Jenna Leventoff
10/01/2019
Episode #9: Structuring Data and Exploring Credentials of Value- A Conversation with the Workforce Data Quality Campaign’s Jenna Leventoff
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Analyst for the Workforce Data Quality Campaign (WDQC) in Washington DC, and long-time thought partner, data advocate, and master documentarian of all things workforce data. Jenna offers an insider’s view of major trends in past, present, and future in education and workforce data. She cites a treasure trove of resources for data champions seeking to make higher and better use of their data and even share a preview of resource under development at the National Skills Coalition and WDQC. For more information: · National Skills Coalition & Workforce Data Quality Campaign: ·EMSI: ·Burning Glass: ·Monroe Community College: https://mccediws.com/ ·Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Data Exchange: https://www.wiche.edu/longitudinalDataExchange · New York University’s Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF): https://cusp.nyu.edu/news/administrative-data-facility-enables-cross-state-data-sharing/ · US Department of Education’s Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant Program: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/slds/ and US Department of Labor’s Workforce Data Quality Initiative: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20190722 · SWIS: · Tennessee’s College and Career Success efforts: https://ccrscenter.org/ccrs-landscape/state-profile/tennessee · Registered Apprenticeship (US): · Minnesota Grad Employment Outcomes Tool: · Michigan School Data (Report Card): · Kentucky Center for Statistics: https://kystats.ky.gov/ Social: · Twitter: @SkillsCoalition · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nationalskillscoalition/ Post-Script: During the production of this podcast, Jenna accepted a new position with Public Knowledge, where she will no doubt expand her own expertise and enrich the organization’s technology and legal chops! We wish her continued success and happiness! You can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-leventoff-810b5b27/ _______ Disclaimer: This podcast was produced by Social Policy Research and Workforce 180 with support from the US Department of Labor. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the US Department of Labor or other public agencies (state, federal, or local). Mentions of trade names, commercial products or organizations does not imply endorsement of same by the US Government or representatives.
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Episode #8: New Data Systems in the Yellowhammer State: Alabama’s Effort to Build Better Talent Pipelines
07/16/2019
Episode #8: New Data Systems in the Yellowhammer State: Alabama’s Effort to Build Better Talent Pipelines
Tonya Lee, Assistant Labor Market Information Director at the Alabama Department of Labor, is our guest this week on Making Better Work. Alabama joined the workforce longitudinal data community in 2018, after securing its first ever federal WDQI grant. The state has a bold vision for working with data partners to connect data from across education and workforce agencies, and working with employers to better understand the state’s talent pipeline. Tonya shares these aspirations and discusses the steps the state is taking today. She also reveals the most important lessons she learned from other states in the workforce data community that have been at it much longer. Have a listen! For more information: · WDQI Press Release on AL.com: https://www.al.com/business/2017/06/alabama_department_of_labor_wi.html · Governor’s priority: Data-informed Workforce Policy: https://www.alreporter.com/2018/12/10/moore-working-to-implement-governors-strategic-education-to-workforce-plan/ · Alabama’s Strong Start, Strong Finish Initiative: https://www.alreporter.com/2018/08/14/ivey-reports-successful-first-year-for-strong-start-strong-finish-education-initiative · Alabama Department of Labor LMI Division: http://www2.labor.alabama.gov/ · Alabama Works 2018 Annual Report: https://alabamaworks.com/wp-content/uploads/awc-annual-report-2018.pdf · Find Tonya: [email protected] @AL_Labor Facebook Have you heard? Making Better Work has launched a newsletter. Sign up here or tweet (@kristinwolff) or email ([email protected]) and we’ll sign you up _______ Disclaimer: This podcast was produced by Social Policy Research and Workforce 180 with support from the US Department of Labor. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the US Department of Labor or other public agencies (state, federal, or local). Mentions of trade names, commercial products or organizations does not imply endorsement of same by the US Government or representative
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Episode #7: Farriers and Labor Market Flows in the Show-Me State: Exploring Longitudinal Workforce Data in Missouri
05/15/2019
Episode #7: Farriers and Labor Market Flows in the Show-Me State: Exploring Longitudinal Workforce Data in Missouri
Clinton Flowers is the guest in this episode of Making Better Work. He leads the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) effort in Missouri. A strategist by nature and a planner in practice, Clinton believes that curating and contextualizing data is as important as providing it – which is why partnerships are so important in the building of shared data systems. He shares his insights about enduring partnerships, shared intelligence, and new opportunities for Missourans learn, work, and advance. He also points us to some of the state’s new data tools, and previews some key agency-level changes afoot. Have a listen! For more information: · MoSCORES (Missouri School Credentials for Occupations Resulting in Employment Success), Customer-facing tool containing information about student participants – in Missouri’s credit and non-credit education and training programs – and their outcomes. https://jobs.mo.gov/jobseeker/training-and-education (There’s even a snazzy explainer video!) · Missouri’s agency restructuring effort: https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-announces-new-approach-economic-and-workforce-development; http://www.newstribune.com/news/local/story/2019/jan/17/parson-in-state-of-the-state-address-department-redesigns-to-boost-workforce-development/761479/ · Missouri’s Eligible Training Provider System: https://etps.mo.gov/etps/etpsSearch/InstitutionSearch.aspx · Find Clinton: [email protected] @MoLabor, #MoSCORES Facebook Have you heard? Making Better Work has launched a newsletter. Sign up here or tweet (@kristinwolff) or email ([email protected]) and we’ll sign you up _______ Disclaimer: This podcast was produced by Social Policy Research and Workforce 180 with support from the US Department of Labor. The views expressed are those of the speakers and should not be attributed to the US Department of Labor or other public agencies (state, federal, or local). Mentions of trade names, commercial products or organizations does not imply endorsement of same by the US Government or representatives.
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Episode #6: ‘Bridging databases is not simple, but it is amazing.’ Highlights from Iowa’s longitudinal data adventure.
04/11/2019
Episode #6: ‘Bridging databases is not simple, but it is amazing.’ Highlights from Iowa’s longitudinal data adventure.
In this episode Kristin Wolff, talks with Paul Nissen and Vladimir Bassis. Paula is the Lead Education Program Consultant for Community College Management Information System (CC MIS) within the Iowa Department of Education; and her colleague, Vlad, has worked on data and analysis for the Iowa Departments of Human Services and Education for over 13 years. The two are co-conspirators on Iowa’s education and workforce longitudinal data systems, supported in part by a US DOL (WDIQ) grant.
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Episode #5: Let’s think less about “labor market events” and more about the journey to rewarding employment.
02/27/2019
Episode #5: Let’s think less about “labor market events” and more about the journey to rewarding employment.
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Dr. Greg Weeks, consultant researcher, professor, and former Director of Washington State’s Labor Market Information system. Greg has authored numerous papers looking at the returns to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – the labor market outcomes of workers with credentials in STEM skills, using WA’s longitudinal data system. (Spoiler alert: the returns are not particularly equitable across demographic groups).
/episode/index/show/makingbetterwork/id/8806388
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Episode #4: ‘The public sector is one of the largest purveyors of important data. What if we could better connect it and use it responsibly?’
02/27/2019
Episode #4: ‘The public sector is one of the largest purveyors of important data. What if we could better connect it and use it responsibly?’
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Amelia Roberts and Robert Kalaskowsi. Amelia is the Data and Performance Manager for the Governor’s Workforce Board of Rhode Island (GWB) and Robert is the Assistant Chief of Policy and Planning with the RI Governor’s Workforce Board.
/episode/index/show/makingbetterwork/id/8804714
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Episode #3: Tech, Data, and the Future of Work: Workforce Leaders Navigating Disruptive Change
02/27/2019
Episode #3: Tech, Data, and the Future of Work: Workforce Leaders Navigating Disruptive Change
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Josh Copus, Entrepreneur in residence at Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aligning and improving education and workforce systems and services so that everyone can access economic opportunity. Josh works in the part of JFF that’s about innovation – JFF Labs, where he leads an initiative called AWAKE, the Advanced Workforce and Analytics Knowledge Exchange.
/episode/index/show/makingbetterwork/id/8804624
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Episode #2: “The focus needs to be on getting data out”: The Importance of Trust and Collaboration in Working with Data
02/26/2019
Episode #2: “The focus needs to be on getting data out”: The Importance of Trust and Collaboration in Working with Data
Our host Kristin Wolff talks with Dr. Kate Akers.
/episode/index/show/makingbetterwork/id/8785622
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Episode #1: Indiana’s Workforce Data Wizards Help Hoosiers Get into Great Jobs and Careers
02/21/2019
Episode #1: Indiana’s Workforce Data Wizards Help Hoosiers Get into Great Jobs and Careers
In this episode, our host Kristin Wolff talks with Fran Valentine and Diana Barrett, from Indiana’s workforce data team.
/episode/index/show/makingbetterwork/id/8733365