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The report examines the early implementation of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP), which launched April 1, 2021, and variations in implementation by site. Data collection for this study includes interviews and focus groups with pilot staff and transitioning Service members at the 13 pilot sites, as well as with national Veteran employment partners. Interim findings were shared with Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) leadership to inform pilot enhancement and expansion. The findings can inform future implementation and outcomes studies of the ENPP.

Research Questions

• To what degree has Navigator selection, hiring, and training prepared the Employment Navigators for their role and how have these varied across sites?
• To what degree have communications, outreach, and recruitment engaged base staff, TSMs, and spouses with the ENPP and how have these varied across sites?
• To what degree have intake, assessment, and direct service delivery helped TSMs and spouses set a course for obtaining employment and meeting their Career Readiness Standards (CRS) and how have these varied across sites?
• To what degree have governmental and nongovernmental partnerships been developed to meet TSMs’ and spouses’ needs, and how have these varied across sites? To what degree are warm handovers/connections being made to governmental and nongovernmental partners and how have these varied across sites?
• To what degree are data systems capturing activities and outcomes and how has it varied across sites?

Key Takeaways

• Employment Navigator Hiring, Training, and Management. Interview participants stressed the importance of screening Employment Navigators for soft skills. Employment Navigators requested trainings on resumes, federal resumes, opportunities for job shadowing, and peer exchanges.
• Communications, Outreach, and Recruitment. National pilot staff and clients requested expanded on-base marketing and ways to increase the program’s reach on social media. Interview participants noted the need to emphasize the value-add of complimentary services offered by Employment Navigators to TAP managers.
• Intake, Assessment, and Direct Service Delivery. Clients valued one-on-one customized services. Employment Navigators and clients requested additional services for TSMs and military spouses located outside the continental United States. Clients requested services related to interview preparation.
• Partnerships and Warm Handovers/Connections. Handovers and connections appear most successful when clients are engaged and proactive. American Job Centers requested a data sharing agreement to facilitate handovers.
• Data Systems. TAP managers requested access to program and performance data. The Transition Employment Navigator System (TENS) has been an improvement over the previous customer management system.

Citation

Osborn, S., Rainey, R., Risk, N., Murphy, J., Rakes, E. (2023). ICF Incorporated. Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP) Formative Study Report. 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.