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The report summarizes findings from a study examining the implementation of a series of training courses offered to compliance officers (COs) within the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The study captures the perceptions of COs and managers about the trainings and looks at the accuracy and efficiency with which COs processed cases in the period following the trainings. Findings from the study could inform how DOL agencies provide training and professional development to staff that carry out important worker protection and enforcement duties.

Key Takeaways

• Of eight hallmarks of effective workplace training derived from the literature on adult learning, the CI training aligned with five hallmarks and the ADM training aligned with six.
• A majority of respondents to course satisfaction surveys were satisfied with the CI and ADM trainings.
• Measures of training-related knowledge were higher after training than before, but lower at the 6-month follow up for both the CI and ADM trainings.
• The perceptions of COs and managers were mixed as to whether the CI and ADM trainings influenced the accuracy or efficiency of case processing.
• Analysis of administrative data showed differences in efficiency of both complaint and compliance evaluation case processing across regions and other cross-sections.
• The study team’s assessment of the trainings as well as feedback from managers and COs indicate that OFCCP’s new approach to training has several strengths relative to past approaches, including more engagement and interaction, more knowledge checks and ongoing gathering of feedback, and smaller groups of regionally specific training.
• Feedback from managers and COs suggest some considerations for changes to the trainings, including using more examples, incorporating more case study work and opportunities for discussion, adding refresher trainings and resource materials, and having fewer and shorter trainings overall.

Citation

Sattar, S., Carrillo-Perez, A., Harrington, A., Streeter, M., Dolfin, S., Demers, A., Rizzuto, A., Jeanne Bellotti, J. (2023). Mathematica. The Role of Training in Performance of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Compliance Officers: Summary of Findings. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor. 

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 The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.