Finding Text
Finding FA 2024-005: Level of Effort: Performance Outcomes Not Met
Federal Program Information:
Assistance Listing Number: ALN 17.268
Federal Program Name: H-1B Job Training Grant
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Passed Through Entity: N/A
Federal Award Number: HG-33046-19-60-A-6
Federal Award Year: July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024
Campuses: West Los Angeles College
Compliance Requirement: Level of Effort
Criteria or Specific Requirement:
Per the DOL’s Employment and Training Awards (ETA) Handbook, page 24: ETA places a very high priority on maximizing successful grant performance and relies heavily on frequent performance reporting to measure and track your success toward achieving satisfactory outcomes. ETA grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports which track performance throughout the entire lifetime of the grant. These include a performance report comprised of data related to a number of performance targets and measurements specifically designed to align with the grant’s Statement of Work (SOW) and individual performance objectives: 1) Total grant participants served; 2) Total participants beginning and completing education/training activities; 3) Total number of credentials attained by participants; and 4) Total number of participants who secured and/or
retained employment.
Per the SOW and Modified Contract, see schedule for the performance outcomes / key outcomes that were identified and
planned for the program.
Per FOA-ETA-18-08 Apprentice Training and Employment Performance Outcomes: Applicants must include comprehensive numerical outcome projections for each of the seven outcome measures. The targets must be provided for each year of the grant, as well as for the total grant period. While applicants are required to propose goals for the seven outcome categories identified in Section IV.B.3.a.(2) Expected Outcomes and
Outputs, which are specific to this Funding Opportunity Award (FOA), they will also be required to report outcomes in alignment with outcomes identified in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), as applicable. Per Section IV.B.3.a.(2) of the Funding Opportunity Award for the H-1B Job Training Grant (FOA-ETA-18-08), grantees must meet measurable performance targets in key areas, including apprenticeship enrollment, program completion rates, job placement, wage increases, and retention within high-demand fields. These performance goals must correspond to the scope of each project’s funding level to ensure program impact and sustainability.
Identified Condition:
The District was able to achieve success in meeting and exceeding four out of six key performance outcomes, demonstrating effective management in several critical areas, including Participants Enrolled, Begin Education/Training, Entered Employment, and Expenditures. However, two key performance outcomes-Completed Education/Training and Attained Credential-were not met, reflecting areas of underperformance as of the modified grant contract projections for the grant period ended June 30, 2024. See schedule for key outcome identified.
Cause and Effect:
The District implemented effective management strategies that resulted in success in four out of six key performance outcomes, including Participants Enrolled, Begin Education/Training, Entered Employment, and Expenditures. These outcomes benefited from efficient program delivery, resource allocation, and targeted interventions. However, the goals related to training completion and credential attainment were influenced by several factors outside the District’s control, such as the COVID 19 pandemic and participants’ personal circumstances, which may lead them to alter their commitment to the program. Despite not fully meeting the targets for training completion and credentialing, the program’s overall success
remained unaffected, as it exceeded its original Funding Opportunity Announcement required performance outcome by placing over 5,000 participants into the job market.
Questioned Costs:
None.