Study Details | Pathways to Work

101010.01-Study of Workforce E

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a quasi-experimental design that does not demonstrate that the program and comparison groups were sufficiently similar before the program.

Program: Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum - Travis County

Services provided:

Apprenticeships, Basic skills/bridge programs, Case management, Job placement, Job readiness, Job search assistance, Occupational or sectoral training, Paid work experience/internships, Performance- or behavior-based financial incentives, Transportation assistance

Setting: Urban only

Methods and Standards Protocol version used for review: Version 2.0

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Study design

Design:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

The study used a quasi-experimental design, in which 4,688 eligible participants with a valid Social Security number who exited from the Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum – Travis County (WERC-TC) workforce program between 2016 and 2023 were matched to a comparison group of 4,688 Travis County residents who received standard workforce services.

Time period of study:

The study ran from 2016 to 2024. The study included participants who exited WERC-TC programs between 2016 and 2023. Data collection spanned 2016 to 2024, with the study using administrative data to examine outcomes up through a one-year follow-up period after program exit.

Pathways to Work only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Age

Mean age

38 years

Sex

Female	43%
Male	57%

Race and ethnicity

Black or African American	50%
White, not Hispanic	21%
Hispanic or Latino of any race	23%
Asian	2%
Another race	1%
More than one race	1%
Unknown, not reported, or other	2%

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if the authors reported race and ethnicity separately; in these cases, we report the category White, rather than White, not Hispanic.

Education

Had a high school diploma or GED	80%
Did not have a high school diploma or GED	21%

Specific employment barriers

Were involved with the justice system	36%
Were military veterans	6%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

WERC-TC was administered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board and delivered by four organizations, including Workforce Solutions Capital Area Career Centers, Goodwill Industries, Austin Area Urban League, and American Youthworks.

Program services:

Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum – Travis County (WERC-TC) is a group of adult education, training, and employment services to help individuals improve occupational skills and obtain employment. Services included high school equivalency, adult basic education, and English as a Second Language classes; case management; job readiness and occupation-specific training; and job search and job placement assistance.

Mandatory services:

None

Comparison services:

Comparison group members received limited employment services from a Workforce Solutions Career Center in Travis County but were not offered the additional services provided by WERC-TC.

Study publications

Juniper, Cynthia, Patty Rodriguez, David McCoy, Heath Prince, and Thomas Boswell (2024). Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update Report Appendices. Ray Marshall Center.

Juniper, Cynthia, Patty Rodriguez, David McCoy, Heath Prince, and Thomas Boswell (2024). Evaluation of Travis County Investments in Workforce Development: 2024 Update. Ray Marshall Center. Available at: https://sites.utexas.edu/raymarshallcenter/files/2025/03/Travis-County-WFD-FY-2016-FY-2023_FINAL.pdf

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Study of Workforce Education and Readiness Continuum - Travis County (WERC-TC)