A Data-Driven Partnership: DE’s Workforce Development Board Utilizes Data Lab’s Expertise
The Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB), a department within the state’s Department of Labor, provides leadership and resources to develop a skilled workforce that is responsive to the evolving needs of the state’s residents, industries, and business.
By working with employers, training and education providers, and jobseekers, the team at DWDB supports building a talent pipeline that builds up communities and industries throughout the state. Its challenge? A relatively small staff of four and a limited capacity to ensure they are making data-informed decisions and designing effective strategies that increase access to equitable employment opportunities.
“We have a wonderfully supportive board that is committed to make data-informed decisions, but we don’t have the expertise or resources on our staff to do that type of work in-house. In order to provide the right data to our board, I knew I had to look for a partner we could trust and had that expertise we were missing, and that was Tech Impact’s Data Lab Team” said Joanna Staib, DWDB’s Executive Director.
One of their most recent projects revolved around the issue of benefits cliffs – the point where an individual could receive a small increase in their paycheck that in turn knocks them out of the bracket for receiving state benefits like food stamps, rent assistance, and other social programs. DWDB was dedicated to understanding the multiple facets of benefits cliffs. “Benefits cliffs are a major concern in our state. We see individuals that can’t move from a part-time job to a full-time job or can’t accept a raise or promotion because it will mean they will lose a large amount of benefits that will find them in a worse situation than if they stay where they are. But, it’s a complex problem that means working with federal policy, state policy, programs, and agencies to paint a clearer picture of the problem so that we can identify a potential solution, and The Data Lab was able to dive right in and make a plan”.
To support this work, Joanna is working with the Data Lab to create a Benefits Cliff Tool that will allow community members to get a stronger understanding of how they might be impacted by the benefits cliffs, while simultaneously providing more detailed data for policy makers. The tool provides users with the ability to track and manage their budgets including the benefits that they receive while also providing insight into pathways beyond benefits cliffs.
DWDB has also partnered with the Data Lab and Message Agency, our digital services division, for even more work in the state of Delaware, including a career mobility app called Career Moves that helps residents find training and education programs in throughout the state that can help them gain certifications in career paths like nursing, technology, and more.
“I can give the Data Lab an issue we are exploring, no matter how complicated or complex, and I know they are going to come back to me with ideas, potential solutions, and a path to take. They explain it in a clear and easily digestible way so that my staff and my board can all understand, which is such an important aspect to these big investments.”
“The work that we have done with the Data Lab I believe to be lasting and it is going to make positive changes for the state of Delaware”.