In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sean Simone, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development (Rutgers University) in New Jersey. We cover traditional workforce data topics – like NJ’s evolving training provider data systems (ETPL) – and what it means to build for the future. Sean understands the power of data to inform good strategy and practice, improve NJ residents lives and livelihoods, and rectify past injustices—and he’s doing everything in his power to bring these elements to the design and implementation of data systems, strategies, research, and consumer-facing tools in NJ and across the emerging Eastern States Data Collaborative. What a treat to speak with him! And of course, he shared resources galore. NJ Resources: · NJ Education to Earnings Data Systems https://njed2earndata.org/ · NJ ETPL https://njtrainingsystems.dol.state.nj.us/ and https://www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/coei/etpl_procedures.html · Heldrich Center for Workforce Development https://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/work/projects · Data for the American Dream (at Heldrich) https://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu/work/data-american-dream National Resources: · Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research (CLEAR) https://clear.dol.gov/about · Workforce GPS https://wdqi.workforcegps.org/ · Commission on Evidence-based Policy (archive) https://bipartisanpolicy.org/commission-on-evidence-based-policymaking-archive/ · The Failure of Big Data to Address Problems in the Workforce during the COVID-19 Era, Sean Simon, for the Atlanta Federal Reserve (2021) https://www.atlantafed.org/cweo/workforce-currents/2021/04/16/the-failure-of-big-data-to-address-problems-in-the-workforce-during-the-covid-19-era · Future legislation? https://sites.ihep.org/postsecdata/data-at-work/better-data-horizon-analysis-evolving-student-level-data-legislation For more information: · Sign up for the #MakingBetterWork Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/903537e424bb/mbwnews · Community of Practice/WorkforceGPS: https://wdqi.youth.workforcegps.org/ · Email Kristin: [email protected] Social: @kristinwolff @Social_Policy SPR on LinkedIn #MakingBetterWork Credits: The project was produced with the help of (the fantastic) Doug Foresta and has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Task Order Number l630DC-18-F-00008 the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.