Workforce Development: An Analysis of Federal Workforce Policy

& Recommended Engagement Strategy

Presented By:Ian Roth and Matthew A. Poland, Policy Consultants

K Street Ventures

ForMoveOn.org

Outline• Introduction and History

• Policy Cycles:o Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)o Workforce Investment Act (WIA)o Current Cycle – Formulation / Adoption

• Stakeholder Analysis

• Policy Theories

• Engagement Strategy

Introduction and HistoryWorkforce development: The coordination of public and private sector policies and programs that provides individuals with the opportunity for a sustainable livelihood and helps organizations achieve exemplary goals, consistent with the societal context. Jacobs & Hawley (n.d., p. 12)

1862

1913

1933

1935

1973

Policy Cycles: JTPA (1973-1998)

1. Agenda Setting (1973-1978)a. Evaluation of CETAb. High unemployment, recession (late 70s)c. Change of Presidency

2. Formulation (1978-1982)a. CETA Reauthorization (1978) - Private Industry Councilsb. Stronger Business Involvementc. Devolvement / Role Clarity

3. Adoption - 1982a. “New federalism” - Reaganb. Dropped public service employment, hallmark of CETAc. Switch from geography to function

Policy Cycles: JTPA (1973-1998)

4. Implementation (1982-1984)a. From geography to functionb. Successful in targeting low-income and unemployed (LaLonde, 1995)

5. Evaluation (1984-1998)a. Adults received a net benefit from participating, youth did not (UW

Study)b. Net social benefit positive for adults, negative for youth (UW Study)c. Too small of a budget to be effective (Friedlander et al., 1997) d. Measures used by DOL are only weakly correlated to impact (Barnow,

2000)

Policy Cycles: WIA (1982-Present)

1. Agenda Setting (1982-1998)a. Evaluation of JTPAb. Concerns about Efficiencies & Effectiveness of JTPA Programsc. Change of Presidency - Reagan to Clinton

2. Formulation (1982-1998)a. JTPA Reauthorizationb. Workforce Investment Boardsc. 5 Performance Measures - DOL negotiation with each stated. One-Stop Centerse. Individual Training Accounts

3. Adoption (1998)a. HR 1358b. 90% Support

4. Implementation (1998 - Present)a. Service Delivery Areas (SDAs)b. Not income-based

5. Evaluation (1998 - Present)a. 7 Key Princplesb. Service coordination

Policy Cycles: WIA (1982-Present)

Policy Cycle: Current (2003-present)

1. Agenda-setting (2003-2012)a. Originally due to be reauthorized in 2003 (GAO, 2011)b. Need for better funding formula for workforce servicesc. Better performance outcomesd. “Great Recession” of 2008, more job seekers looking for services

2. Formulation (2012 - present)a. House passed the SKILLS Act in March (Supporting Knowledge &

Investing in Lifelong Skills)i. Further consolidation, reduction in funding - loss of $1B ii. No regional focus requirediii. Cuts all youth-specific funding, programming, etc.iv. Primarily business-focused, diminishes educational system and

CBO involvement in workforce development

2. Formulation (2012 - present) – cont.a. Senate bill: Workforce Investment Act of 2013

i. Motion filed to bring to floor, likely not until Janii. Minimal consolidation of programsiii. Regional focus required of local plansiv. Retains most youth programming and fundingv. Strengthens relationship of education systems and CBOs

in workforce servicesb. What’s next?

i. Adoption - if Senate bill passes, will go to conference committee for reconciliation (2014)

Policy Cycle: Current (2003-present)

Stakeholder Analysis: SKILLS Act

SupportersArguments:o Workforce development should be business-ledo Workforce services need to be more efficient and streamlinedWho are they?Businesses / Employers o U.S. Chamber of Commerceo National Association of Manufacturers o National Restaurant Associationo National Retail FederationLeverage: o Represent many businesses and “what is good for the economy”o Lots of $$ o Strong Washington lobbies

Stakeholder Analysis: SKILLS Act

Supporters● Conservative Think Tanks and General Conservative Interest

Groups a. Heritage Foundationb. Americans for Tax Reformc. The Cost of Government Center

● Leverage:a. Data / Researchb. Members to mobilize

Stakeholder Analysis - WIA 2013 Supporters (Senate)

Arguments:o Workforce services need to be more efficient and streamlinedo Strengthening workforce investment system accountability.o Promoting innovation and best practices within the workforce

investment system.Unions:

o AFL-CIO ○ Teachers, Engineers, Trades, Autoworkers, Steelworkers

Leverage:o Representing workers &“what is good for the American

worker”o Mobilizing worker membershipo Strong Washington lobbies

Stakeholder Analysis - WIA 2013 Supporters (Senate)

Workforce Development Interest Groups:o National Skills Coalitiono National Coalition for Literacyo National Youth Employment Coalition

Leverage:o Representing practitioners and “what works in workforce

development”o Data, best practices, on-the ground experienceo Some lobbying connections

Policy Theories

1. Incrementalismo “Muddling Through” - Lindblom

2. Pluralismo Dispersed Power – Dahl

3. Advocacy Coalition Frameworko Policy Subsystems - Sabatier

Engagement Strategy - MoveOn.orgGoals:

o Pass WIA 2013 Bill in the Senate (early 2014)o Advocate for sector-based strategy added to bill in reconciliation (early to mid-

2014)o Pass reconciliation bill passage with sector-based strategy added (mid-2014)

Tools:o Social Media:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

o Get-Out-The-Voteo E-mails

Calls to Action:o Phone calls/E-mails to Senators and Representativeso Live eventso Demonstrations

Engagement Strategy - MoveOn.orgSteps to Success:1. Identify target constituents and get them involved to act:o Democrats / Progressive (largely MoveOn constituents already)o Labor Unionso Workforce Development Professionalso Business Owners (currently lacking as supporters of WIA 2013/2014)

2. Create online petitions and fundraising opportunities to garner support3. Create Campaigns to e-mail and call Representatives and Senatorso Specific asks at the stages of the bills with template e-mails, call scripts & asks for $$o Solicit funding for ads and media

4. Organize live events/rallies/house-parties/networking for publicity & fundraising5. Explore Initiative process/get signatures on petitions to present to Legislators and media6. Create “BUZZ” to elicit media attention and social media attention7. Tie to other campaigns: Living Wage, Voter Registration, Statewide Election,

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Workforce Development: An Analysis of Federal Workforce Policy

& Recommended Engagement Strategy

Presented By:Ian Roth and Matthew A. Poland, Policy Consultants

K Street Ventures

ForMoveOn.orgQUESTIONS?