Staff Spotlight: Supporting Data-Driven Workforce Development

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in research and data analysis, and how does your work at Commonwealth Corporation support our mission to create equitable workforce opportunities across Massachusetts?

A: I always enjoyed independent projects in both my undergraduate and graduate studies, gathering research and then conducting and analysis on it became as much of a part of my education as reading a textbook or taking an exam. My capstone as a grad student opened the way to thinking more critically on data as whole, as I surveyed students from Westfield State (where I was studying) and Amherst College (where I was working part-time) and began to record both qualitative and quantitative inquiries as to how colleges influence behaviors towards increased awareness on sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles. This idea of gathering real-time evidence to support a larger, positive goal reflects in my current work with Commonwealth Corporation.

Our programming supplies individuals and the broader workforce of Massachusetts with the job training necessary to build up both the local economy of the Commonwealth but more importantly the livelyhood of its residents. Without the efforts put in by the Research, Data and Evaluation team, CommCorp would not have a process in place for providing the legislature real time results on the grants we are tasked with stewarding. The work the RDE team provides direct evidence to prove to the legislature that the programs we collaborate with are performing not just on an enrollment/completion/placement quota, but to also capture the broader impact of goals CommCorp has set on strongly establishing.

Q: How does analysis help Commonwealth Corporation evaluate and improve workforce programs to better serve job seekers and employers?

A: At its core, our analysis helps to evaluate and improve workforce programs by aiming to prove to the legislature that the funding we receive is working as intended. This ensures that we make the best case for securing continued funding year in and year out. Supplementing this main goal, we also coordinate projects that capture data points outside our legislatively mandated systems. For example, we are engaging with the Workforce Competetiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) team on survey efforts to better understand the participant population that CommCorp reaches with WCTF funding. Analysis, both active (in ongoing requests inquiring on what kinds of data points we can provide) and passive (routine analysis conducted for scheduled internal deadlines) also bring the team new perspectives on what data we can record, update, and include in our databases that could provide for a more robust reporting system in the future.

Q:  Equity and inclusion are core to our work. How do you use data to help identify and address barriers faced by underrepresented communities in workforce development?

A: Routinely, CommCorp reports include demographics, characteristics, and other socio-economic statistics alongside performance benchmarks to further support and provide evidence for CommCorp’s DEI goals. However, CommCorp and the RDE team have not just worked to capture certain data points in this area, but are committed to making sure we are keeping our data collection processes as innovative as possible. 

Understanding a participant’s story and where they are coming from before and during training are just as important as recording a retained job placement post training. Understanding the background of our training participants ensures that we are providing the best, most relevant training opportunities to folks who need it the most throughout the Commonwealth. Being able to cross our performance data directly with our participant demographics information enables the RDE team to further understanding any barriers that participants may have to receiving training, informing ongoing internal conversations on how to further reach participants to provide the most effective training programs.  

Q: What’s one thing you wish people knew about the power of data to drive innovation and opportunity in workforce development?

A: One concept I wished more folks considered about data is the way it’s collected, not just the final result. Many people in both the private and public sectors have had similar approaches to understanding data and the role it plays in their careers, regardless of their profession. Most folks have a “numbers never lie” attitude towards data, this is also sometimes attached to a stigma on broadening heightened data literacy in most roles. Although numbers that are calculated are correct in the values they represent, taking a number at face value prevents deeper thought towards enhancing the systems that provided the calculation in the first place. Without understanding the system that creates calculations on job placement rates, demographic ratios, and economic analyses, we can not hope to innovate the system to provide more applicable, relevant, and creative workforce development solutions.

Q: When you’re not diving into data, what’s one hobby or activity that helps you recharge and bring fresh ideas to your work?

A: Over the past 6 years, I have experimented with weightlifting as a hobby. Much like conducting data experiments, weightlifting has given me an opportunity to not only learn more about the field itself, but also to learn more about myself too. Being able to set personal goals that are informed by specific numerical calculations and data recorded (amount of time spent exercising, number of sets to reps, the amount of weight in a lift, one rep maxing, muscle group isolation, etc.) has provided me with a deepened love for understanding simple equations and numbers as a whole. Being able to give my mind a rest and exercise physically, without fully losing that brain stimulation has been a joy not only for my physical health, but also for my mental wellbeing!