The FDSS is a set of administrative tools to help frontline staff in one-stop career centers work together with job seekers to make better decisions about job prospects and choices for using reemployment services.
A prototype FDSS was developed for the Georgia Department of Labor by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research with support and cooperation from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The prototype FDSS system provided guidance based on recent activity of job seekers in the state of Georgia including customer characteristics, historical service data, and labor market information.
FDSS is comprised of two independent but complimentary modules. Clicking on the headings below provides views from the prototype system field tested in the Internet based Georgia Workforce System (GWS). Example screens summarize information for a fictional customer named Chris Tucker.
The Systematic Job Search Module (SJSM) provides customized information about the job market including
- Customer background information (fixed)
- Customer background information (changeable)
- Reemployment probability and estimated earnings
- Expected job growth in prior occupation
- Likely reemployment earnings
- Related occupations.
The Service Referral Module (SRM) provides customized information about the likely effectiveness of available reemployment and job training services including
- Service referral
- Training statistics.
Materials on FDSS
- Overview
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Technical summary
- Frontline Staff Training Manual
- Data requirements
Update on FDSS
FDSS was pilot tested in two Georgia Career Centers (Athens and Cobb-Cherokee) in early 2001. Revisions were then prepared to the FDSS algorithms based on findings from these field tests and newly available data. To work properly statewide, FDSS relied on the new Internet based operating system called the Georgia Workforce System (GWS). As GWS was being introduced, a new mainframe computer supporting statewide processing was installed, and unemployment insurance (UI) claims rose rapidly as the labor market declined with the business recession. The UI interface with GWS for validation of registration with the Employment Service for work search required excessive time by frontline staff including nights and weekends. Implementation of FDSS revisions and statewide testing were delayed. Changes in senior management at the Georgia Department of Labor led to a reordering of priorities and a suspension of plans for FDSS.
Other states have inquired about developing FDSS for their workforce agencies. The information available here provides background information outlining the steps to proceed.