Work Lab Program Highlights
RFA’s Work Lab offers programming and resources to set workforce professionals up for success in innovating how governments work in their communities. By engaging in programming and ready-to-use resources, fellows have shifted millions of dollars in funding, developed more inclusive government programs and used data to improve lives.
State and Local Workforce Fellowship
City of Madison, WI: Leading by example, the City of Madison has advanced job quality and equity through internal HR practices. They conducted a rigorous racial equity analysis, mobilized diverse interdepartmental workgroups, and undertook a city-wide job quality survey. This collective effort has culminated in the revamp and modernization of the personnel rules, aligned with a comprehensive job quality framework for city employees. Adoption of citywide training for employees about the new personnel rules and implementation is set to begin in 2024.
State of Texas: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) defined and prioritized evidence for the first time. TWC also awarded an evidence- and performance-based grant for a Building and Construction Trades program focused on serving Opportunity Youth. They then scaled this approach through $5.5 million in Texas Talent Connection awards and is applying the framework to new grants on a rolling basis. Following their lead, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is adopting the same evidence-driven strategy through the upcoming award of $3 million in Perkins funding to community colleges.
State of Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board defined evidence of effectiveness for the workforce system and conducted a field survey to learn how to support local areas in building evidence. The Governor’s Office developed a grant template leveraging these definitions.
Good Jobs & Equity Project
Tusla, Oklahoma: PartnerTulsa, the economic development authority for the City of Tulsa, has created a small business seminar series focused on educating small business owners and entrepreneurs on the components of a quality job, including compensation, career development, and mentorship.
Baltimore County, Maryland: Baltimore County has leveraged American Rescue Plan funding to create a Public Health Pathways (PHP) program to train Baltimore County residents for nursing careers, in partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. The PHP program supports participants through cost-of-living stipends, wraparound supports, and work-based learning. Baltimore County will evaluate how well the PHP program enables economically vulnerable County residents to move toward quality careers in health care.