Programs in the public and nonprofit sectors are increasingly aware of the need to pay attention to measurable results as well as the overall number of people engaged in program activities. For Connecting Activities, this has been a long-term practice. Our work has built-in metrics that provide feedback on results. Some of the metrics we look at include the following:
Date Range: July 2018 to June 2019
Connecting Activities has managed a database of the detailed information generated by the MA WBLP for many years. It is accessed at the http://massconnecting.org site, where practitioners across the state log on to store the detailed information that underpins this initiative. Through this mechanism, ESE is able to document the practices for which CA is responsible, including the pre- and post-assessments of work experience that enables students’ skill gain to be measured, as well as the amount of wages generated through the brokering work of the initiative. Key performance outcomes for FY2018 include:
From our FY2018 annual report, the following chart illustrates the diversity of industry sectors in which students are typically placed. Placements reflect our work to connect students with internships in career areas of personal interest, in emerging career areas and in local businesses that provide a valuable introduction to workplace skills and resume building opportunities. A particular area of focus is STEM-focused placements, with a focus on placements in health care, manufacturing, science, engineering and technology, information technology, environment, natural resources and agriculture; finance and other STEM-related settings.
The following charts show skill used and our measure of skill gain for students who particpated in work-based learning experiences. The first charts shows skill gain for the employability skills that are hlighlighted in all Work-Based Learning Plans, and the second chart shows the skill gain for the most-common career and workplace-specific skills highlighted in Work-Based Learning Plans during FY2018.