Skip to main content

The Big Q Debate

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is now alive in full swing as states across the country are implementing their state plans. WIOA is different than its predecessor, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and those charged with making policy are figuring out the similarities and differences. Regardless of the name of the legislation, or the specific programming, there is one thing that will always remain constant. It is the debate between quality and quantity in workforce programs. 
 
Many people interpret WIOA and the broad scope of populations mentioned in the legislation to understand that WIOA is a program for everyone. As such, many programs are looking to provide WIOA funded service to as many people as possible and meet program benchmarks with the theory that the more people in the program, the greater the likelihood of meeting the benchmarks.
 
In the other camp, team quality believes that with limited resources, it will be impossible to provide high quality service to the masses that will meet benchmarks, but instead focus on a smaller group. With the smaller group, this camp will provide more intensive services that can meet the needs of the individuals receiving service and a greater number will meet the benchmark.
In reality, the truth is in the middle. WIOA is a different program. It is a more encompassing program for individuals and businesses.  This means that states and local programs must look at how service is delivered and come up with a way to simplify and streamline.  This will allow for a greater number of individual and businesses to be served while still meeting quality.
Quality has not taken a back burner in WIOA. Instead, it is more important than ever to design services that can meet the needs of many, including priority groups. This is where innovation comes in. Quality services come from innovation. Through simplification of programs and policy, it is possible to place quality services for greater quantities of individuals and businesses.
 
How do you think we can balance quality and quantity to make programs successful? Leave your comments below.
~ Karen Cirincione
Twitter:@kcirincione

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How do you Birthday?

Another year in my life has passed. It’s time for another birthday. Each year as the day approaches, I take the time to reflect on my past year, my accomplishments, and my goals for the year. My birthday is like my personal New Years’ celebration with another opportunity to have the best year ever.   I am not afraid of a birthday. Age is just a number, but each year is what you make of it. Each year I have seen the sun rise, the rain fall, and the snow melt, I have been given a gift from the universe. Many people do not get to see another birthday. I owe myself the opportunity to set goals and feel proud as I work towards achieving them. Sometimes these goals have been born from unhappy feelings and bad situations, but growth brings wisdom.   In my working life, and especially as a workforce professional, I know some of my growth must be professionally. Having experience working with job seekers looking for jobs, I understand how crucial professional growth is...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Authentic You

Authenticity is not something we think or talk about every day. It is something we all need for ourselves and to truly connect and have meaningful interactions with others. Anyone on the #improve2019 journey is looking to either improve themselves or to be the guiding light for another person on the journey. Without authenticity, the fruits of labor are bitter. They are not satisfying, but meaningless. The fruits grow are wants in the world, but are not what we truly need.   Authenticity starts with the self. It means we are first to be honest with ourselves, good or bad. It means taking a hard look in the mirror and owning our faults. Are we trying too hard or not enough? Are we speaking and not acting? Do our actions match our intentions?   These are the questions we need to ask ourselves and to really ponder. After we have truly done the recognition and have taken the steps we need to improve, we can really look to helping others doing the same.   Auth...
Post a Comment
Read more

Great Questions=Great Answers! The Pieces to the Puzzle are revealed!

Newbies in workforce development sometimes ask me how to work with a customer or how do you know why someone cannot get a job.   The answer is really simple. Ask the right questions, and then listen for the answer.    It’s not a secret. You can’t just look at person or their job seeking documents and just know. You need the person to open his mouth and speak.   You need the narrative.   Why narrative? First, you will get the information to help you help the customer.   That is if you ask the right question.   Secondly, it helps you establish rapport and trust with your customer. Someone is not going to open up if he does not trust you. This is very important.   Remember digging a hole to China as a child.   Quickly you found out that you could not find China with one shovel full of dirt.   The digger must unearth many layers to get to China! A child will quickly find out that he can’t shovel his way to China, but may find neat ...
1 comment
Read more