One of the most vexing challenges we face in the non-profit sector is staying connected with program participants so we can track, measure, and evaluate the long-term impact of our work. Longitudinal impact evaluation is vitally important in our mission to help very low income people achieve sustainable, upward economic mobility.
For the first time, thanks to a partnership with the Tipping Point Community Foundation and EDD (Employment Development Department), we have access to long-term earnings data for JobTrain graduates. In April, JobTrain received employment and earnings data (from EDD) for all graduates from 2005 through 2017, and the results are very affirming. While we still have a lot to glean from this data, I’m excited to share some highlights.
The most striking and promising outcome is JobTrain’s alumni experience sustained wage growth year over year post graduation. For example, average earnings for students graduating in 2005 were $13,000 per year. For this same group of graduates, average earnings in 2016 were $44,000 per year, with the top 10 percent earning an average of $98,000. This data proves that we are fulfilling our core mission and our stakeholders are seeing a strong social and economic return on their investment.
The data also reflects some very interesting trends including wages and employment based on educational level, gender, ethnicity, age, incarceration status and more. JobTrain is committed to continuous improvement of programs, serving clients with more profound barriers to employment, and focusing on relevant career pathways. This longitudinal, comprehensive data proves what we have believed all along, that our programs are working, at the same time providing insights into programmatic aspects that we can improve. I look forward to sharing the full report of our findings and our proposed responses to the challenges.
None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you for trusting us and supporting our work. Sincerely,
Barrie R. Hathaway
President & CEO