Our Work

Building Strong Regional Workforces

PPA partnered with the W. E. Upjohn Institute to evaluate the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED), a major initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration (ETA).

WIRED was a market-driven approach that provided financial incentives for regional collaboration among stakeholders.  The goal was to expand employment and advancement opportunities for workers and to create high-skill, high-wage jobs.

Strong Partnerships: PPA regularly forms partnerships with other organizations that complement its strengths and enhance the work product.  PPA's project manager for this work was Dr. Nancy Hewat, director of Business Strategy and Development.

Our Work:  Beginning in 2007, the PPA/Upjohn team conducted an extensive evaluation of  ETA's overall strategy.  It interviewed stakeholders representing the public workforce system, economic development, K-16 education, state and local government, and philanthropic organizations.  The team also conducted employer surveys, reviewed administrative records and used an array of economic indicators to assess effectiveness. Evaluators made site visits across the country to 26 of the 39 regions that received WIRED funds.

Research questions centered on the areas of strategic approach and implementation, innovation and capacity changes, economic and labor market effects, and cross-generational comparisons.

Better Public Policy: The PPA/UpJohn evaluation strengthened regional efforts to compete more effectively in the 21st century global economy.

Links: Nurturing America's Growth