This study was conducted by staff from Abt Associates, which administers CLEAR. The review of this study was conducted by ICF Incorporated, which also administers CLEAR and is trained in applying the CLEAR causal evidence guidelines.
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of the Health Careers for All program on earnings, employment, education, and public benefits receipt outcomes.
- The study used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, where participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group or control group. Using participant surveys and National Directory of New Hires data, the authors conducted statistical models to compare the outcomes of the treatment and control group members three years after random assignment.
- The study did not find statistically significant differences between treatment and control group members in earnings, employment, credential attainment, or public benefits receipts at the three year follow-up.
- This study receives a high evidence rating. This means we are confident that the estimated effects would be attributable to the Health Careers for All program, and not to other factors. However, the study did not find statistically significant effects.
Intervention Examined
Features of the Intervention
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County was awarded a 5-year Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) to launch and implement the Health Careers for All program from 2010 to 2016. The program was designed to help low-income, low-skilled adults access and complete training specific to gaining employment in the healthcare sector. Program services included personalized case management to help participants navigate career pathways, funded training for healthcare jobs from foundational courses to advanced certifications, employment services such as help with resumes and interview skills, and financial assistance to address employment barriers such as transportation or childcare costs. All program services were provided by TRAC Associates, a for-profit community-based organization. The program served individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and other low income populations with employment barriers. Additionally, participants had to be interested in a healthcare field and pass a background check.
Features of the Study
This study was part of the multi-program Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) evaluation. The study used a randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of the Health Careers for All program. Of the 654 participants who enrolled in the study between September 2012 and December 2014, 328 were randomly assigned to Health Careers for All (treatment group) and 326 were assigned to the control group. Control group members could not receive Health Careers for All services but could choose to participate in other employment services within the community. The study sample was mostly female (85%), unemployed (70%), under the age of 35 (66%), and making less than $15,000 per year (64%). About half of the sample was non-Hispanic Black (51%), and less than half were receiving public assistance (41%). About a third of eligible applicants had a high school diploma only (30%) and over half had some college experience (57%). The treatment and control groups were not significantly different on any of these characteristics.
Data sources included baseline and three year follow-up surveys and the National Directory of New Hires. The authors used statistical models to compare the outcomes of the treatment and control group members at the three year follow-up.
Findings
Education and skills gain
- The study did not find a significant difference in the proportion of treatment and control group members who received an exam-based certification or license.
Employment
- The study did not find a significant difference between the treatment and control groups in employment rates three years after random assignment.
Earnings and wages
- The study did not find a significant difference between the treatment and control groups in earnings in quarters 12 and 13 following random assignment.
Public benefits receipt
- The study did not find a significant difference in the proportion of treatment and control group members who were receiving any means-tested public benefits.
Causal Evidence Rating
Additional Sources
Topic Area
Research Guidelines
Review Protocol: Living Systematic Annual Search and Review Protocol
Review Guidelines: Causal Evidence Guidelines