It also provides remedial education and English language instruction. Key Features of Job Training Strategy Shared by Successful Projects

Although the common strategy may be implemented differently, each project incorporates four key features into its strategy: (1) ensuring that participants are committed to training and getting a job; (2) removing barriers, such as lack of child care, that might limit participants’ ability to get and keep a job; (3) improving participants’ employability skills, such as getting to a job regularly and on time, working well with others while there, and dressing and behaving appropriately; and (4) linking occupational skills training with the local labor market. For example, all projects require participants to sign an agreement of commitment outlining the participants’ responsibilities while in training, and all projects monitor attendance throughout participants’ enrollment. Each project we visited coaches participants in employability skills through on-site workshops or one-on-one sessions. Projects Link Occupational Skills Training to the Local Labor Market

Five of the six projects we visited provide occupational training, using information from the local labor market to guide their selection of training options for participants. Project staff strive to ensure that the training they provide will lead to self-sufficiency—jobs with good earnings potential as well as benefits. Scope and Methodology

We designed our study to identify factors and strategies associated with successful employment training projects for disadvantaged adults. participants are generally economically disadvantaged, lack marketable job skills, have low self-esteem, and have few employability skills. JOBS and JTPA: Tracking Spending, Outcomes, and Program Performance.
Why GAO Did This Study

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

What GAO Found

GAO found that successful employment training projects: (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) only enroll students who are committed to completing the job training and seeking full-time employment; (3) ensure that 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 and by developing professional workplace attitudes; (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.