Building evidence for an employment assessment tool

For the past four years, Nova Scotia Works, a province-wide network of employment services, have been using a common client assessment tool to gain a deeper understanding of their needs. The tool is a critical resource for exploring client’s strengths and gaps so they can create better linkages to the right services at the right time and help them achieve labour market success.    

Blueprint is working with Pier Labs and the Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education to evaluate and strengthen the assessment tool. The first phase of the evaluation explored how the tool is implemented, what’s working well, and opportunities for improvement. We drew on multiple lines of inquiry including surveys and interviews with agency staff, conversations with clients, and shadowing of assessments. We also analyzed administrative data and interviewed sector leaders to gather perspectives on the cultural sensitivity of the tool.

Based on our findings from these activities, we identified opportunities to improve the tool and piloted the enhanced tool with select staff.

Going forward we are providing advice to ensure case managers and agencies have the knowledge and training they need to implement the revised tool consistently – ensuring they can be as effective as possible in meeting client needs.