Veterans' Employment and Training Service: Proposed Performance Measurement System Improved, But Further Changes Needed

United States. General Accounting Office.

United States. General Accounting Office.

关键词: Government accountability -- United States.;    veterans;    employment;    veterans';    employment and training service;   

RP-ID  :  GAO-01-580
RP-ID  :  231627

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This report discusses the proposed performance measurement system at the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). Specifically, GAO reviews (1) VETS' proposed performance measures, including possible concerns about the measures; (2) the proposed data source for the new system; and (3) other measurement issues that would effect the comparability of states' performance data. GAO found that VETS' proposed performance measures would improve performance accountability over the current system, but some aspects of the new measures raise concerns. VETS' strategic plan suggests that states focus their efforts on providing staff-assisted services to veterans, including case management. Yet none of the proposed measures specifically gauge the success of these services. In addition, VETS' proposal includes one measure--the number of federal contractor jobs listed with local employment offices--that is not only process-oriented but also focuses on outcomes that are beyond the control of staff serving veterans. VETS proposes that all states use a single data source--Unemployment Insurance wage records--to identify veterans who get jobs. Using these data will greatly improve the comparability and reliability of the new measures. Although using these data will improve some aspects of data collection, the data present some challenges. States generally do not have access to wage records from other states and, therefore, should find ways to track individuals who receive services in one state but get a job in another. Other issues that affect the comparability of states' performance-related data should be considered. For example, states vary in whether they register and count, for performance reporting purposes, job seekers who use only self-service tools, such as internet-based job listings."