Many participants lack a high school diploma or have limited basic skills or English proficiency; have few, if any, marketable job skills; have a history of substance abuse; or have been victims of domestic violence. Three of the sites had placement rates above 90 percent—two placed virtually all those who completed their training. Ensuring Commitment to Training and Getting a Job

One important feature of these projects’ common strategy is ensuring that clients are committed to participating in training and getting a job. For example, all projects require clients to sign an agreement of commitment outlining the client’s responsibilities while in training and all projects monitor attendance throughout a client’s enrollment. Each project coaches students in employability skills through on-site workshops or one-on-one sessions. Linking Occupational Skills Training With the Local Labor Market

All the projects have strong links with the local labor market. Five of the six projects provide occupational skills training, using information from the local labor market to guide their selection of training options to offer clients. Project staff strive to ensure that the training they provide will lead to self-sufficiency—jobs with good earnings potential as well as benefits. This reputation leads employers to trust their referrals.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the merits of 6 highly successful employment training programs for economically disadvantaged adults.

What GAO Found

GAO found that the programs: (1) serve adults with little high school education, limited basic skills and English language proficiency, few marketable job skills, and past histories of substance abuse and domestic violence; (2) have a fairly successful placement rate, with three of the programs placing 90 percent of their clientele; (3) ensure that the clients are committed to training and getting a good job, and as a result, require them to sign an agreement of commitment outlining their responsibilities; (4) provide child care, transportation, and basic skills training to enable clients to complete program training and acquire employment; (5) improve their clients employability through on-site workshops and one-on-one sessions; (6) have strong links with the local labor market and use information from the local market to guide training options; and (7) aim to provide their clients with training that will lead to higher earnings, good benefits, and overall self-sufficiency.