This paper presents nonexperimental net impact estimates for the Adult and Dislocated Worker programs under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the primary federal job training program in the U.S. The key measure of interest is the difference in average quarterly earnings or employment attributable to WIA program participation for those who participate, estimated for up to four years following entry into the program. The WIA program offers three levels ofservice, Core services, including job search and placement assistance, and labor market information; Intensive services, including assessments, counseling, and career planning; and Training services, including occupational and basic skills training. The Adult program serves disadvantaged workers, who display relatively poor labor market performance, often over extended periods. The Dislocated Worker program serves individuals who were recently laid off, often as a result of firm downsizing or plant closure. |
