Study Details | Pathways to Work

3051.01-JVS-Boston Sectoral

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a high-attrition randomized controlled trial that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the intervention and comparison groups.

Intervention: Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)-Boston Sectoral Employment Program

Services provided: Case management, Employment retention services, Supportive services, Training, Occupational or sectoral training, Unpaid work experience, Work experience, Employment coaching, Job development/job placement

Setting: Urban only

Study design

Design:

Randomized controlled trial

Study group formation:

This randomized controlled trial assigned and analyzed individual people. The recruitment process included two other training programs (included in separate reviews on this site). At each training program, recent applicants who consented to participate in the study were randomly assigned to a sector-focused employment program or to a comparison condition after completing a baseline survey. About two years later, people in both conditions completed a follow-up survey.

Time period of study:

The study does not state the timeframe over which the program was studied, but the evaluation began in 2003 and participants were followed for approximately 2 years after random assignment.

Pathways only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Age

Mean age	32 years
Young adults	31%

Sex

Female	88%
Male	12%

Participant race and ethnicity

Black or African American	53%
White, not Hispanic	17%
Hispanic or Latino of any race	19%
Unknown or not reported	11%

Family status

Married

22%

Participant employment and public benefit status

Were employed	23%
Were unemployed	77%
Were eligible for or receiving cash assistance	61%
Had low incomes	100%

Participant education

Had some postsecondary education	18%
Had a high school diploma or GED	92%
Did not have a high school diploma or GED	8%

Specific employment barriers

Were formerly incarcerated	0%
Were experiencing homelessness	7%
Were immigrants	41%

Intervention implementation

Implementing organization:

Jewish Vocational Services-Boston

Intervention services:

JVS-Boston provided industry-specific training programs in medical billing and accounting. Training took place over 20 to 22 weeks, for 20 to 25 hours per week. JVS-Boston also provided four- to six- week internships, job readiness training, and employment supports, such as case management, assistance finding child care and transportation, post-employment services, and tax preparation assistance.

Mandatory services:

None.

Comparison services:

Members of the comparison group did not have access to JVS-Boston services but could access similar services if available elsewhere in their communities.

Study publications

Maguire, Sheila, Joshua Freely, Carol Clymer, Maureen Conway, and Deena Schwartz (2010). Tuning in to local labor markets: Findings from the Sectoral Employment impact study, Philadelphia: Public/Private Ventures. Available at http://ppv.issuelab.org/resource/tuning-in-to-local-labor-markets-findings-from-the-sectoral-employment-impact-study.html.

View the glossary for more information about these and other terms used on this page.

Study of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)-Boston Sectoral Employment Program