ERIC Number: ED317677
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Sep
Pages: 43
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Effectiveness of Government Training Programs. Background Paper No. 10.
Simms, Margaret C.
Several social objectives influence government sponsorship of employment programs: (1) training for mobility to reduce disruptions caused by change; and (2) increasing skill levels to increase productivity. Evaluation of program effectiveness considers whether the program served its target groups, what activities were provided, and what the outcomes were. The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) targeted disadvantaged groups and provided classroom training, work experience, on-the-job training, and job placement. Wide fluctuations in estimates of CETA's net impact make it difficult to determine participant outcomes and cost-effectiveness. CETA's restructuring as the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) added performance standards and decentralization, which may have limited the extent of services to mandated populations. Reviews of JTPA Titles II and III found some net gains, although those in most need are not always likely to receive assistance. Special youth programs such as the Summer Training and Education Program and JOBSTART have had modest positive outcomes. In general, the more effective programs for youth and disadvantaged adults are the more expensive ones. Government employment programs have served only a small proportion of their eligible population. Policy questions for future programs remain: Should they continue the same mix with more funds and participants? Serve fewer people more intensively or more people less intensively? or Should more attention be paid to matching individuals to the most appropriate programs and activities? (31 references) (SK)
Publication Type: Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Labor, Washington, DC. Commission on Workforce Quality and Labor Market Efficiency.
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Comprehensive Employment and Training Act; Job Training Partnership Act 1982
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A