The Workforce Policy Lab (WPL) is a department of the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University. Our mission is to empower policymakers and practitioners by providing innovative analyses and strategies that maximize workforce investments.
We work with state agencies, community colleges and community-based organizations to create and improve workforce development programs. These programs help to prepare residents for meaningful careers in thriving industries.
History
The Workforce Policy Lab has grown from its origins in the NIU Center for Governmental Studies. Since its founding in 1969, the Center for Governmental Studies has partnered with state and local governments on economic, workforce and community development. Starting in the early 2000s with student labor force outcome studies for the Illinois Community College Board and market scans for individual community colleges, the CGS workforce team grew its portfolio of workforce development projects.
In about 2015, we embraced the opportunity to work with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to evaluate and expand their workforce programs. Our initial focus on program development and policy analysis expanded to include applied research and evaluation work. Over the years, we began to partner with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, as well as additional partners in our home state of Illinois. As our role grew, we transitioned to become the Workforce Policy Lab.
About Our Process: A Researcher-Practitioner Partnership
In our engagement with clients, we strive for a researcher-practitioner partnership. Learning from the expertise and knowledge of program leadership and front-line staff makes our work more successful. We work together with practitioners to understand the real-world problems that they and their program participants face. The insights we gain from program data is stronger because we understand how the data were collected. We also serve as a neutral voice in the collection of participant feedback.
We’re here to analyze program data, identify patterns and help our partners craft the keys to success.
Examples of Our Work
- Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Workforce Training Programs
- IllinoisWorks Pre-apprenticeship Program
- WIOA Title I Programs in Illinois, Colorado and Wyoming
- Illinois Community College Board Workforce Equity Initiative
Learn more about our services.