In 2020, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC), and Rural Capital Area Workforce Board, collaborated to develop a new evidence framework to better measure the impact of publicly funded workforce development programs.
In July 2020, the commission approved $1.8 million in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) statewide funding for the Building and Construction Trades project, which will utilize the evidence framework to better measure the success of the grant program which provides training to opportunity youth.
In March 2021, TWC released a performance-based RFA for the project, which used a statewide evidence framework and embedded performance outcomes in the application and selection criteria for grantees. Further, 15% of funds are linked to outcome-based payments.
In April 2021, TWIC and TWC launched the Texas Talent Connection grant program for workforce training and job placement services. Applicants were reviewed using the statewide evidence framework. For example, according to the evidence-based grantmaking website, the grant program includes “incentives for grant applicants to identify and use program models that have demonstrated a record of effective outcomes” and “will be requesting performance data and effectiveness evidence” from grantees choosing to use innovative but less-tested proposals. In July 2021, $5.5 million was awarded to 18 additional grantees.