Facilitate employment opportunities to assist Arlington residents in becoming self-sufficient

Transcription

1 FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN Economic Independence Division Howard Feldstein x1436 Program Purpose Facilitate employment opportunities to assist Arlington residents in becoming self-sufficient Program Information provides a continuum of services including employment counseling, skills acquisition and job placement. There are three levels of services to clients: Self-Directed Job Search (Basic Services), Case Managed Services (Individualized Services), and Employment Skills Training. The Employment Center houses a full-time presence of staff from partner agencies: Virginia Employment Commission, Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Northern Virginia Community College, Arlington Public Schools and the National Council on Aging. Since September 2010 the has been certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Comprehensive American Jobs Center. The Employment Center is currently in the implementation stage of a yearlong project to revamp all of its business processes and realign staff responsibilities. PM1: How much did we do? Staff Total 30 FTEs: o 1 Director o 4 Supervisors o 2 Senior Employment Services Specialists o 15 Employment Services o 3 Business Developers o 5 Administrative Staff Customers and Service Fiscal Year FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 Ongoing Case Management Clients * Visitors to the Resource Center 8,436 7,553 8,106 (unduplicated) Visits to the Resource Center 12,205 8,806 11,109 (duplicated) Average Caseload per Case Manager * The decline in case managed clients from FY 2016 to FY 2017 was due to two factors: Stricter rules were adopted for closing clients out from caseloads, and an improving employment economy. PM2: How well did we do it? 2.1 Average Time from Initial Assessment to Placement into Employment for Case Managed Clients PM3: Is anyone better off? 3.1 Placement Rate of Case Managed Clients 3.2 Average Wage at Time of Placement into Employment 3.3 Case Managed Clients Still Employed After Six Months FY 2017 Page 1

2 Number of Months Percent Unemployed FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN Measure Average Time from Initial Assessment to Placement into Employment for Case Managed Clients Time in Months from Enrollment to Employment and Unemployment Rate Goal = 3.5 months FY clients FY clients FY clients FY 2018 (proj) 460 clients 0 Months Spent in Job Search Unemployment Rate Summary The average number of months from initial assessment to placement into employment rose from 3.6 to 3.7 months during FY The unemployment rate for Arlington County remained at an average of 2.6% for the year. is derived from the Efforts-to-Outcomes (ETO), the Virtual One Stop (VOS) and the Virginia Employment Commission for unemployment data. The ETO data reporting process was improved in FY Calculations for FY 2015 and 2016 have been adjusted using the new methodology. What is the story behind the data? Recommendations The average time from enrollment to employment rose has remained fairly consistent from FY 2015 to FY A continuing strong employment economy helped keep the number of months to employment fairly low. Arlington s unemployment rate is the lowest in Virginia. The increased number of service industry focused employers utilizing the services of the Employment Center has created more Continue to intensify outreach and marketing efforts to employers, particularly those moving into the region and those identified as fastgrowing. Continue to fine tune Business Development and Case Management strategies as part of the ongoing revamping of business processes. The introduction of a customized online job board in FY 2018 will make it easier FY 2017 Page 2

3 FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN employment opportunities for clients, particularly for individuals with lower skills. Forecast for both clients and employers to post job openings and resumes. Continue to modify the Employment Center s case management philosophies and techniques, as well as workshop offerings, to align with the needs of clients and current Labor Market Information (LMI). In FY 2018, project an average of 3.5 months from enrollment to placement. FY 2017 Page 3

4 Percent of Clients FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN Measure 3.1 Placement Rate of Case Managed Clients 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 76% 76% 531/703 Percent of Intensive Services Clients Placed In Employment 503/663 71% 403/572 Goal = 75% 75% 450/600 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 (proj) Summary The percentage of case managed clients placed into employment fell from 76% in FY 2016 to 70% in FY The total number of FY 2017 placements taking into account all activities/ programs was 1,285. Although the program has established an internal goal of a 75% placement rate, the performance target set by external funders (including WIOA and CDBG) is 70%. All data is derived from the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) system. for each fiscal year reflects new clients who enrolled during that fiscal year. These numbers do not include the Computer Training Program (102 clients served, 72 placed). What is the story behind the data? As previously noted, as the regional employment situation continues to improve, the Employment Center is experiencing a decline in work-ready individuals and an increase in those harder to serve due to low skill and/or educational levels. Many positions, especially in the service industries, are continuing to experience a reduction in hours from full-time to part-time in order to minimize the employers need to offer a benefit package. This has narrowed Recommendations Continue to increase the number of clients who are referred to occupational skills training/english-as-a-second Language programs to increase their marketability. For many low-income clients this continues to be a challenge as their economic situation dictates they obtain employment as quickly as possible. Continue to recalibrate the focus of the Employment Center s Business FY 2017 Page 4

5 FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN down the number of openings deemed suitable for a number of clients seeking entry level and service related positions. This has been a continuing trend. Forecast In FY 2018, anticipate a placement of rate of 75%. Development Unit to better focus on obtaining suitable positions for lower skilled clients. For FY 2018, the Employment Center has begun to offer more required workshops that meet the needs of clients with unsophisticated job search skills/experience. The Employment Center will also explore offering online trainings to accommodate the needs of clients who cannot attend training during business hours. FY 2017 Page 5

6 Hourly Wages FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN Measure 3.2 Average Wage at Time of Placement into Employment $19.00 $17.00 $15.00 $16.86 Average Wage at Placement for Intensive Services Clients $15.81 Goal = $14.50 /Hour Living Wage $14.87 $15.00 $13.00 $11.00 $9.00 $7.00 FY clients FY clients FY clients FY 2018 (proj) Summary The average wage at placement in FY 2017 of $14.87 per hour. This was $.94 lower than our FY 2016 average and $1.99 lower than our record average wage for FY All wage data is derived from the Efforts-to-Outcomes (ETO), VaCMS, VOS, Wage Match and the Work Number. What is the story behind the data? During FY 2017 the Employment Center continued to experience an increase in the number of lower skilled employees entering the job market, which pushed down average wages. In general, it has been widely noted that during this year wages were stagnant. In several occupational clusters there has been a slight decline. Forecast Recommendations Continue efforts to refine the outreach efforts of the Business Development Unit. Continue to improve the quality of training providers to ensure that clients achieve more marketable training and credentials. Ensure that over 40% of WIOA funding (US Dept of Labor funds) is spent on training. In FY 2018, project the average placement wage will exceed $14.50 per hour, which is the Living Wage for Arlington County. FY 2017 Page 6

7 FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN Measure 3.3 Case Managed Clients Still Employed After Six Months 100% 95% Six Month Employment Retention Rates 90% 80% 70% 60% 60% 86% 65% 83% 80% 75% 75% 70% 70% 70% 80% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 (proj) VIEW Goal= 70% Community Goal= 75% WIA Goal= 80% Summary In FY 2017, the six-month employment retention rates for all programs, except VIEW, declined. For programs funded by Department of Labor s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIA/WIOA) funding, retention rates were at 75% exceeding goals set by the Commonwealth, but not the program s internal goal (80%). The Community Program, funded with Community Development Block Grant funds, met contracted goals (70%), but again not the internal goal (75%). For VIEW, Virginia s Welfare to Work Program, retention rates slightly increased and for the first time met the internal goal of 70%. is derived from ETO, VOS and VaCMS. What is the story behind the data? In FY 2017, staff vacancies led to decreased follow-up after job placement. For FY 2018, these vacancies have been filled and follow-up is expected to intensify. Counselling and workshop hours promoting job retention were specifically increased for those populations with histories of short-term employment in an attempt to push retention rates. These efforts were particularly effective with the VIEW population. Recommendations Continue to develop additional methodologies, such as job shadowing and internships, to prepare the hard to serve for long-term employment retention. These approaches are now encouraged under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Continue to encourage clients to take advantage of longer and more FY 2017 Page 7

8 Forecast FY 2017 PERFORMANCE PLAN advanced training opportunities to create a higher skill level, leading to higher pay, job retention, better working conditions, and increased levels of job satisfaction. Explore quantifying expectations for staff regarding follow-up contact with clients. In FY 2018, project six-month employment retention rates will be 70% for VIEW clients, 75% for Community clients, and 80% for WIOA clients. FY 2017 Page 8