Project Description
WorkAdvance (WA) is a sector-focused advancement initiative for low-wage working adults. The program sought to boost the earnings of unemployed and low-wage working adults by helping them prepare for and enter higher quality jobs in selected sectors with opportunities for career growth. Once participants were placed, they were provided with further assistance to guide them on a path of career advancement. The impact of the program was rigorously measured through a random assignment research design, in which eligible individuals were assigned by lottery either to a program group that was offered WA services or to a control group not eligible for WA services. Those ineligible for WA services remained eligible for other services in the community.
DIR conducted one wave of interviewing at 24 months after random assignment in New York City; Cleveland, Ohio; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. We used a mixture of telephone, in-person, mail, and electronic outreach. We selectively increased incentive amounts to maximize the response rate in all sites, research groups, and cohorts.
DIR completed interviews with more than 80% of the sample using a mixed-mode approach combining CATI interviews with field initiated interviews for difficult-to-reach respondents.