However, such individuals are likely to be those who would have found jobs on their own. Most studies of work programs for welfare recipients have found that program impacts are likely to be greatest for those who are less skilled, have little prior work experience, or have been on welfare longer. Two changes might be considered. One is to develop more flexible methods of evaluating contractors that would take into account the employability of the clientele served. Another is the elimination of the wage floor for priority jobs.
Employers are more likely to hire a low-skilled worker at a lower wage, particularly to start.
Motivated workers may be trained on the job, formally or informally, and will experience wage increases over time. Although it is understandable that DPW would like to provide a mechanism for encouraging contractors to place AFDC recipients in higher wage jobs, the reality of the situation may be that this simply results in less attention paid to those who seem unlikely to qualify for high-paying jobs. The voluntary nature of the program on the part of AFDC recipients is another feature that may result in less service to those who are less likely to leave the welfare program on their own. If participation in ET were mandatory and if those who are less readily employable were made the primary focus of attention, the program might spend its resources more effectively. Moreover, a mandatory requirement to participate might help to change attitudes of young women who look to welfare as a long-term option for support.