Vermont Demonstration Project PDF Download

The Vermont Project provided subsidized public sector jobs to welfare recipients and other low income persons. The study analyzes project impact on client attitudes, employability, and project outcomes as derived from survey responses and project data. The study also analyzes project operations, including the effectiveness of inter-agency arrangements for service integration. The study shows the project had some positive effect on attitudes and employability but improvement in project design and operations are needed if the "work experience" offered is to have maxium impact and benefit to participants. The purpose of this experimental and demonstration project was to provide work experience to unemployed, low-income clients to improve their employability so they can be moved into permanent, unsubsidized employment. Changes of attitudes and motivations as a result of project experience were studied. Study findings indicated that the post-project group differed only slightly from the pre-project group on attitude and motivation toward the world of work, with the post-project group displaying a somewhat more intense psychological orientation toward work. Analysis was made of those completing the project and those who terminated. Completers had far fewer characteristics associated with hard-core unemployed, had better mental orientation and attitudes, had greater satisfaction with their jobs, their work site supervisor, and with the Employment Service staff, and were judged as having made greater improvement in skills. Both completers and terminators were dissatisfied with the quality, lack of skill improvement, and career opportunity of "work experience" slots. Staff perceptions of the project were positive and weaknesses mentioned were readily correctable.