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Summary

JOBSTART aimed to improve employment and educational outcomes for youth who had not finished high school by offering training, supportive services, and job search assistance.

Thirteen JOBSTART sites provided youth with instruction in basic academic skills, occupational skills training, supportive services, and job search assistance. Basic academic skills instruction was individualized and commonly focused on developing skills needed to pass a GED examination. Occupational skills training was classroom based. Youth could choose from various occupational skills courses that generally prepared participants for jobs requiring moderate or higher skills. All sites offered child care and transportation assistance, and many offered additional services such as life skills training and small, regular cash payments to offset the costs of participating. Job search assistance was also available at all sites. Some sites offered paid or unpaid work experience, job development and placement services, and financial incentives for meeting program milestones. On average, youth spent 415 hours participating in program activities over 6.8 months, with most of this time in education and occupational training.

Eligible participants were youth ages 17 to 21 who had dropped out of high school and did not have a GED or high school diploma, read below the eighth-grade level on a standardized test, were classified as economically disadvantaged, and were eligible for public workforce services.

JOBSTART operated in 13 cities: Buffalo, NY; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; Hartford, CT; San Jose, CA; Chicago, IL; Pittsburgh, PA; Monterey Park, CA; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; and Corpus Christi, TX. A local organization in each city operated the program. These organizations included adult vocational schools, community-based organizations, Job Corps centers, and a community college.

JOBSTART was modeled after Job Corps but without residential support or financial compensation, and with less extensive supportive services.

Populations and employment barriers: Less than high school diploma or GED, Young adults (aged 16-24)

Effectiveness rating and effect by outcome domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2018 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Little evidence to assess support $0 per year 0.000 0
Long-term Little evidence to assess support favorable $1,213 per year 0.058 1941
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase employment Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -1% (in percentage points) -0.022 1941
Long-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -1% (in percentage points) -0.016 1941
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $50 per year 0.018 1878
Long-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $19 per year 0.007 1878
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods Supported favorable 6% (in percentage points) 0.121 1941

Studies of this intervention

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
High High 1

Implementation details

Cost information

The average cost per participant was $9,258 in 2018 dollars.

This figure is based on cost information reported by authors of the study or studies the Pathways Clearinghouse reviewed for this intervention. The Pathways Clearinghouse converted that information to a single amount expressed in 2018 dollars; for details, see the FAQ. Where there are multiple studies of an intervention rated high or moderate quality, the Pathways Clearinghouse computed the average of costs reported across those studies.

Cost information is not directly comparable across interventions due to differences in the categories of costs reported and the amount of time interventions lasted. Cost information is not an official price tag or guarantee.

Local context

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
44%
White
9%
Unknown, not reported, or other
3%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
44%

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