Making Connections: A Study of Employment Linkage Programs

摘要

This report focuses on employment linkage programs sponsored by local211u001egovernments. Three programs--JobNet in Portland, First Source in Berkeley, and 211u001eNeighborhood Employment Network, in Minneapolis--are reviewed in order to gauge 211u001ehow well they link residents of economically isolated areas to jobs. The 211u001eassessment of these programs was conducted through on-site interviews and 211u001eanalysis of job market and other data. The three programs vary in program design, 211u001eemployer incentives, and the range of collaborating institutions, but they share 211u001ethree general goals: (1) creating formal and/or informal ties to employers 211u001ethrough the use of development incentives (loans, tax abatements); (2) providing 211u001etimely access to information on job opportunities; and (3) establishing formal 211u001emechanisms for screening, referring and placing job candidiates.