At Seattle Jobs Initiative, we believe that a vital part of our role is to serve as a hub of information for workforce development practitioners, policymakers, and investors. Accordingly, in addition to making our own research and tools easily accessible, we seek to provide links to other important research and tools being produced by leaders in the field.
Behavioral Science
- Building Better Community Colleges Through Behavioral Science – Article in Behavioral Scientist
- Nudging for Success: Using Behavioral Science to Improve the Postsecondary Student Journey – ideas42 report
- Nudging Change in Human Services: Final Report of the Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) Project – MDRC report
- Self-Affirmation Among the Poor: Cognitive and Behavioral Implications – Research in Psychological Science by Dr. Crystal Hall, Dr. Jiaying Zhao, and Dr. Eldar Shafir
- Federal Office of Evaluation Sciences – Website describes a number of projects informed by behavioral science principles
- How Poverty and Cognitive Biases Can Impact Decisions and Actions – SJI research paper
Human-Centered Design
- What Is Human-Centered Design? – DC Design blog post on Medium
- Five Reasons Why Financial Services Need Design – IDEO.org article describing how design thinking can improve financial services for the poor
- Human-Centered, Systems-Minded Design – Stanford Social Innovation Review article
Process Improvement
- Advancing Quality In Continuous Improvement – Publication from the Carnegie Foundation from the Advancement of Teaching
- Improvement Capability – Resource from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement, which builds improvement capacity in the healthcare field
Labor Market & Economy
- Workforce Development Asset Tool, February 2016
- Seattle Childcare Providers: Interactive Tool, April 2015
College Attainment
- Seattle Goodwill Industries College 101 Curriculum (online tool)
This free resource (individuals must respond to a brief questionnaire for access) provides a curriculum for preparing adults for community college programs. The curriculum is focused on college readiness and includes modules on career exploration, program selection, financial aid and funding sources, assessment test preparation (CASAS, COMPASS), study skills, financial literacy, and the enrollment process.
- Check Out a College (online tool)
Check Out a College is a resource for exploring program options at all 34 community colleges in Washington State. In addition to program information, the website also includes a section on career exploration that provides labor market information, a career interest inventory, and a link to the Self-Sufficiency Calculator. There are also links to financial aid resources, college cost comparisons, and online admissions.
- Career Bridge (online tool)
Career Bridge supports career and program exploration by providing a career interest survey, information about job trends, and a summary of program information from a variety of community colleges. This site also provides information about paying for school and includes a listing of all eligible training providers.
- Completion by Design (online tool)
Completion by Design is a five-year initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that is focused on increasing completion and graduation rates of low-income students under the age of 26. This website provides a variety of resources and toolkits on topics such as accelerated learning, student supports, partnership, financial aid, and many more.
- Workforce Explorer (online tool)
Workforce Explorer provides labor market information (customizable for local profiles) for a multitude of jobs in Washington State. Job seekers can use this tool to identify jobs that are in demand as well as job descriptions, training and education requirements, and wage information. This site also includes links to businesses, training programs, and resume help.
- Start Next Quarter (online tool)
Start Next Quarter is a portal to all Seattle Community Colleges that connects students to an orientation that provides assistance for education planning and identifying funding sources. Through a quick survey, potential students are provided workshop information for the college of their choice. From this site, students can explore different program options and apply for admission online.
- The ABC’s of College Navigation Guide, (PDF) January 2012
Many additional resources for career and college navigation are found in Seattle Jobs Initiative’s The ABC’s of College Navigation Guide.
Research: What We're Reading
- Certificates: Gateway to Gainful Employment and College Degrees, June 2012
Anthony P. Carnevale, Stephen J. Rose, Andrew R. Hanson
Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce
An excellent study of the value of postsecondary certificates in the labor market, looking at earnings of certificate holders by a variety of demographic factors, programs of study and geography. As the authors point out, understanding the value of certificates is critical as they are the second most common postsecondary award in the U.S. and are also less expensive and time consuming to obtain than college degrees.
- Help Wanted: Projection of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018, June 2010
Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, Jeff Strohl
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Since its release this study has been oft-cited as demonstrating the critical need to increase the number of Americans who complete college credentials in order to meet the future demands of the labor market. It provides a state-by-state look at which industries and occupations are projected to grow and the postsecondary credentials that will be required to secure these good jobs.
- Hard Times: College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal, January 2012
Anthony P. Carnevale, Ban Cheah, Jeff Strohl
Georgetown Center of Education and the Workforce
This study by the Georgetown Center of Education and the Workforce shows that one’s future employment prospects and earnings depend on much more than what level of educational attainment he or she may have: the field in which one majors is also essential.
- The Demographics of the Jobs Recovery: Employment Gains by Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Nativity, March 2012
Rakesh Kochhar
Pew Hispanic Center (Pew Research Center)
This report examines labor market trends during the economic recovery (2009-11), and specifically how different demographic groups have fared in terms of employment gains.