Director's Corner
This month, we are crazy busy. No doubt you all know the
feeling, too! So enjoy a short newsletter, and don’t forget to register for the
annual counselor training in Rochester June 11-12, using this link. See
you there!
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Corner On The Market:
Measuring Employment Outcomes for Graduates
With Rachel Vilsack
Outside of population statistics and anecdotes, not much
information is available about the job outcomes for graduates of post-secondary
programs. How quickly do they find work? Do they remain in Minnesota? How
much do jobs pay after graduation and how stable is employment in their fields
of study?
A new data tool – launching next week – will help answer
those questions. The Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) combines
education and workforce statistics into a comprehensive system for research and
analysis. Among the goals of the initiative is to follow students through
school into the workforce and to provide statistics on their employment
outcomes. Minnesota is among 29 states participating in the initiative, which
is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
While historical results cannot predict future outcomes for
students, they can help set realistic expectations about employability and
wages after graduation. When choosing where to go for their post-secondary
study, students should take into account not only personal interests and
aptitudes, but also labor market outcomes for recent graduates.
The WDQI tool, which launches next week, provides a variety
of criteria to compare programs of study. Wages after graduation certainly are
important but provide only part of the picture. Other factors should also be
considered, including the following:
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Employability: How many graduates found
jobs in the state after completing a post-secondary training program?
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Wages: What hourly pay can a graduate
expect 12 months after graduation?
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Wage growth trends: While wages can be
volatile the first year after graduation, the trend gives a better picture of
long-term earning potential.
-
Year-round employment: What share of
graduates was employed without interruption during the second year after
graduation? Programs that produce many workers in sectors with high seasonal
unemployment, such as manufacturing and construction, have low year-round
employment shares. Continuous work histories, not necessarily with the same
employer, tend to translate into higher long-term earnings.
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Full-time
employment: What share of graduates was employed full time during the
entire second year after graduation?
You can read
more about WDQI and see employment outcomes for Minnesota graduates. And look for the WDQI tool on the Labor Market Information website on May 20.
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Dislocated Worker Large Layoff Grants
Gannett
Career Management Services
$270,000 to serve 60 workers
End-of-Year Performance Tip
If you follow up with a customer within three quarters after
their exit date and find out they are not working due to health, family
care, death, being called to active duty, or being institutionalized, don’t
stop with a case note!
In the Post-Exit section of the Follow-Up screen, choose the
Secondary Exit Reason that applies
to the customer’s situation. This will take the customer out of your
performance, just like the Primary Exit
Reason on the Outcome screen can.
Our analysis of program year 2012 data showed quite a few
customers with case notes indicating one of these exit reasons, but no
secondary exit reason entered into Workforce One. Thankfully, the solution is
quick and easy. Contact Jenny Bendewald (Jennifer.Bendewald@state.mn.us)
if you have any questions about this.
Success Story
After almost five years of working as a Service
Technician/Advisor at his most recent employer, Roger was laid off in February
of 2012. As Roger looked to his future
employment options, he realized that while he possessed years of experience as
an automotive technician and was an ASE-certified Master Automotive technician,
he nevertheless needed to update certain skills to make himself more
employable.
In July 2012, Roger enrolled in the Dislocated Worker
program. Using resources available
through the DW program, he was quickly able to locate and register for his
desired courses at Hennepin Technical College.
Roger finished these classes in December 2012.
Recently, Roger was offered and accepted a Service
Technician position. With this job, he
receives a wage comparable to his previous wage, and is able to make active use
of his new training. Without this
additional training, it would have been difficult for Roger to secure new
employment.
Looking back on his journey, Roger feels very grateful for
the support, guidance and additional training he has received from DEED, all of
the staff at the Burnsville & West St. Paul WorkForce Centers, and the
Dakota County Dislocated Worker Program.
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