A multiple stakeholder evaluation of green construction training: Assessing the effectiveness of green courses for minority workers

The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) addresses critical workforce development issues directly affecting disadvantaged worker populations. The CPWR Minority Worker Training (MWT) program provides health and safety training and placements for minority workers into jobs in the construction industry. In 2008, the CPWR developed green construction training to incorporate green techniques and materials into the MWT program offerings. These green courses are designed to provide participants a skill set to succeed in the emerging green trades including how and where a construction career fits into the broader green movement. It addition, it prepares participants to enter the emerging green/blue collar workforce. A rigorous process for objectively evaluating the program effectiveness of the CPWR's MWT programs was developed that includes an assessment of the effectiveness of the newly developed green courses. The present study describes the results of the integrated programmatic evaluation process that utilizes a multiple stakeholder evaluation system in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from multiple sources (e.g., current and graduated program participants; program coordinators; representatives from community partners, labor organizations, governmental officials, industry professionals). Results of the evaluation are discussed with respect to program effectiveness in preparing participants to meet new workforce demands as well as impact on their respective communities and the field of environmental work. Moreover, use of the evaluation process to assess effectiveness of related health and safety programs is discussed including implications for ensuring continuous improvement of workforce development programs for disadvantaged worker populations.