The current American job market is characterized by an abundance of workers and job seekers who do not have the networks, access to resources, and training that they need to secure gainful employment.  In recent years, workforce development organizations across the country have increasingly implemented sector programs—which prepare job seekers for high-quality employment in specific industries and occupations—to connect workers with the employment opportunities they need. There is substantial and growing evidence that sector programs can work to increase people’s earnings. However, the effectiveness of individual programs varies and even the strongest programs have room to improve.

To get a better sense of the challenges and questions faced by staff members at sector programs, in February 2024, MDRC—as part of the Economic Mobility Lab—organized a full-day meeting with leaders from nonprofit organizations across the country that operate sector programs. The goal of the meeting was to build upon the existing research on the effectiveness of sector programs. It provided space for leaders in the workforce development field to talk about their current challenges and priorities, discuss the future of the field, and develop a practitioner-led research agenda that could be adopted by researchers in partnership with practitioners.

This brief highlights the main areas in which evidence is needed to improve organizations’ day-to-day operations. It describes key research questions and underlying themes that emerged from discussions at the meeting and synthesizes insights into a practitioner-led research agenda.