Measuring the Impact and Value of Training Programs: A Qualitative Study of Selected Programs in the Workforce and Economic Development Network in Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA)

Open Access
- Author:
- Pane Whiteford, Anita
- Graduate Program:
- Workforce Education and Development
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 23, 2009
- Committee Members:
- William J Rothwell, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
William J Rothwell, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
David Lynn Passmore, Committee Member
Wesley Edward Donahue, Committee Member
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member - Keywords:
- training and development
WEDnetPA
workforce education
measurement and value - Abstract:
- ABSTRACT The workforce has changed dramatically in this country in the last four decades. With the impact of globalization, low skilled jobs and high wages have vanished, leaving behind a workforce with a deficit of high-level skills. In order to improve the knowledge and skills of the workforce, the federal government has attempted to provide the workforce with four different training programs since the 1960s. The four programs- Manpower Development and Training Act, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, Job Training Partnership Act, and Workforce Investment Act- have never been evaluated for training effectiveness. Although the federal government has spent millions of dollars each year funding these last three national training acts including the most current workforce investment act, the government has failed to conduct an evaluation study to look at the impact of training on the nation’s human capital. Audits have been conducted by the General Accounting Office and have not determined the impact or return on investment of the money invested in the workforce. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of The Workforce and Economic Development Network in Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) funded training program. This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Although the program is marketed as WEDnetPA, the formal name of this program is Guaranteed Free Training (GFT). WEDnetPA is a network of thirty-three community colleges, universities, and colleges referred to as partners that work with eligible companies. This qualitative study is based on thirty-nine interviews with personnel from selected companies, four leaders from the same selected companies, and five WEDnetPA partners. Research questions focused on: 1) how WEDnetPA funded training impacted the knowledge/skill level of the workforce in selected companies in Pennsylvania 2) how selected companies that received WEDnetPA funded training place value on or measure the free funded training and 3) how selected companies managed transfer of learning with WEDnetPA funded training. Selected participants in the study were required to meet the following criteria: 1) receive WEDnetPA funded training in 2006 and/or 2007 2) be located in five of the workforce investment boards in Pennsylvania 3) represent small, medium, and large companies 4) received business operations and/or communication-teambuilding training that was classified as basic skills training in the WEDnetPA category for the pilot study and 5) classified in the advanced materials and diversified manufacturing and lumber-paper-wood industry clusters with regard to the final study. Overall, the WEDnetPA funded training program has provided numerous companies financial benefit and the opportunity to offer their workforce a variety of training that would not have been possible without the funding. Many companies have made big strides in improving processes and procedures and strengthening their competitive place in the global battle. The workforce has seen victory by obtaining promotions due to their new knowledge and skill sets and continued employment in their companies. In terms of the negative aspects, companies had suggestions for improvements for WEDnetPA. Some of the suggestions were directed at administration of the program as well as dollar amounts awarded and the regulations of the program. Recommendations for future research and practice are suggested for the WEDnetPA funded training program.