Key Performance Indicators

Department of Labor and Workforce Development

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Mission

The mission of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development is to provide safe and legal working conditions and to advance opportunities for employment. AS 23.05.010

Key Performance Indicators

• Target: At least 90 percent of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and State Training and Employment Program (STEP) training completers enter employment.

• Target: Of those Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act participants who had a goal of obtaining an industry-recognized credential, 85 percent are successful.

• Target: At least 90 percent of Alaska Vocational Technical Center long-term students complete their programs.

• Target: At least 90 percent of Alaska Vocational Technical Center long-term graduates are employed in their area of training.

• Target: Reduce the percentage of nonresident workers in Alaska.

• Target: Individuals exiting the Vocational Rehabilitation program are employed.

• Target: Issue at least 87 percent of initial Unemployment Insurance payments within 21 days.

• Target: Requests for reimbursement from the Fishermen's Fund will be paid within 30 days of receipt.

Performance Detail

Target #1: 3% percent reduction in the five-year moving average rate of workplace fatalities per 100,000 employees. Methodology: The workplace fatality rate per 100,000 employees is calculated by dividing the number of workplace fatalities during the year by the average number of workers employed and then multiplying the result by 100,000. This statistic is calculated using workplace fatality reports submitted to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health section and employment statistics maintained by the department's Labor Market Information section. Five-Year Average Rate of Workplace Fatalities per 100,000 Employees Fiscal Year Yearly Rate Five-Year Average Five-Year Avg. % Change FY 2019 3 .9 0% FY 2018 1.22 .90 0% FY 2017 1.21 .90 +7% FY 2016 .59 .84 -34% FY 2015 0.59 1.27 -17% FY 2014 0.89 1.51 -9.0% FY 2013 1.20 1.66 12.1% FY 2012 .91 1.48 -8.1% FY 2011 2.74 1.61 +10.3% FY 2010 1.9 1.46 +9% FY 2009 1.55 1.34 +30% Analysis of results and challenges: This statistic is calculated using workplace fatality reports submitted to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) section and employment statistics maintained by the department's Labor Market Information section. Even though AKOSH was not able to achieve the three percent reduction target for FY2018 in the workplace fatality five-year average, the five-year average rate remained the same. In FY2018, there was an average of 327,683 employees and four fatalities, resulting in a 1.22 fatality rate. AKOSH will continue to work to reduce workplace fatalities through a combination of consultation and enforcement activities targeted on eliminating the most prevalent causes of fatalities in industries with high fatality rates. Related links:    • Workplace Fatality Statistics

Target #2: 2% percent per year reduction in the rate of workplace lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees. Methodology: Prior to FY2011 this rate was calculated as of September 30, but this delayed budget performance reporting until November. To eliminate this delay, as of FY2011, rates are calculated for the state fiscal year as of June 30. Analysis of results and challenges: Since FY2010, the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) program has reduced the workplace illness and injury rate by 31 percent by targeting consultation and enforcement efforts on the causes of illnesses and injuries in industries and employers with high incident rates. This effort has resulted in an ongoing reduction in rates. The five-year strategic plan that began in FY2019 concentrates on the construction, healthcare and seafood processing industries that have relatively high rates. Related links:    • OSHA jurisdiction    • Alaska nonfatal injury and illness statistics

Target #1: At least 90 percent of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and State Training and Employment Program (STEP) training completers enter employment. Methodology: This information is gathered from the division's Individual Case Management system. The measure reports data with a two-quarter lag due to the employer reporting timeframe. Analysis of results and challenges: This measure indicates the ratio of participants that enter the workforce within two quarters of being exited from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and State Training and Employment Program (STEP) programs and is based on the quarter ending June 30, 2019, report submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, along with data collected for state training and employment programs. This fiscal year-end report reflects calendar year data due to the two quarter lag in wage information.

Target #2: Of those Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act participants who had a goal of obtaining an industry-recognized credential, 85 percent are successful. Methodology: Individual Case Management system used to collect participant data. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Participants Who Reach their Goal of Obtaining an Industry Credential Year Attempted Certificate Attained Certificate Success Rate 2019 1,962 1,585 80.8% 2018 1,843 1,601 86.9% 2017 1,629 1,350 82.9% 2016 1,418 1,043 73.6% 2015 1,643 1,334 81.2% Analysis of results and challenges: The decrease in success rate for FY2019 is likely due to the increased the number of apprentices served, and the previous process that excluded this cohort of participants from the requirement to record and report credentials. Statewide economic conditions can influence this measure. With updated procedures and the implementation of virtual assistant software are expected to improve the credential rate is expected to improve during the next performance period.

Target #3: At least 90 percent of Alaska Vocational Technical Center long-term students complete their programs. Methodology: Data for each student is maintained in a student database system. Analysis of results and challenges: The Council on Occupational Education (COE) has nationally accredited Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) since 1997. The COE benchmark for measuring "students that complete long-term training programs" is established as the national average of more than 400 similar public post-secondary institutions. For each year from FY1999 to FY2019, AVTEC has consistently met or exceeded the COE benchmark. AVTEC started FY2019 with 19 students from the previous year and enrolled 164 new students during the year. Of those 192 students, 3 exited early and 18 are still in training and will be considered in the FY2020 numbers. Of the 171 students eligible for graduation in FY2019, 148 graduated, yielding a graduation rate of 86 percent.

Target #4: At least 90 percent of Alaska Vocational Technical Center long-term graduates are employed in their area of training. Methodology: The AVTEC Placement Officer maintains contact with long-term graduate for one year following graduation to gather employment information. This is reported to the Council on Occupational Education, which is the national accrediting agency for AVTEC. Placement information is available in July of the following year. Long-term (longer than six weeks) AVTEC program graduates for this measure. Analysis of results and challenges: The Council on Occupational Education (COE) has nationally accredited Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) since 1997. The COE benchmark for measuring "graduates of long-term programs employed in their area of training" is established as the national average of more than 400 similar public post-secondary institutions. For each year from FY1999 to FY2019, AVTEC consistently met or exceeded the COE benchmark. In FY2019, of 162 graduates, 6 were unavailable or refused employment and four were either looking for employment or AVTEC was unable to establish contact with them. Of the 156 graduates eligible for employment in FY2018, 138 (88 percent) were employed in their area of training in FY2019.

Target #5: Reduce the percentage of nonresident workers in Alaska. Methodology: Alaska residency is determined by matching the Alaska Department of Revenue Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) file with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development wage file. The PFD file is a list of Alaskans who applied for a PFD. The wage file contains quarterly earnings and industry information on workers covered by unemployment insurance within Alaska. Source: Nonresidents Working in Alaska 2016 (Published January 2018) Percentage of Nonresident Workers in Alaska (achieved the target of reducing the percentage of nonresident workers in Alaska in 2016; 2017 data will be available in January 2019) Year Resident Workers % Change Nonresident Workers % Change Nonres Wkrs - % Total 2016 327,048 -1.72% -1.7% 89,411 -2.76% -2.8% 21.5% 2015 332,780 -0.63% -0.6% 91,948 +4.79% 4.8% 21.6% 2014 334,881 +0.52% 0.5% 87,741 +1.79% 1.8% 20.8% 2013 333,150 -0.04% 0% 86,197 +0.82% 0.9% 20.5% 2012 333,283 +0.67% 0.7% 85,496 +2.41% 2.4% 20.4% 2011 331,081 +0.75% 0.8% 83,488 +4.55% 4.6% 20.1% 2010 328,611 +0.88% 0.9% 79,856 +3.89% 3.9% 19.6% 2009 325,752 -0.54% -0.5% 76,867 -3.46% -3.5% 19.1% 2008 327,532 +1.48% 1.5% 79,618 +1.21% 1.2% 19.6% 2007 322,758 +1.51% 1.5% 78,669 -0.22% -0.2% 19.6% 2006 317,968 +0.94% 0.9% 78,840 +6.16% 6.2% 19.9% 2005 315,003 +0.74% 0.7% 74,266 +5.54% 5.5% 19.1% Analysis of results and challenges: The number of Alaska resident workers fell by about 5,700 in 2016 (a decline of 1.7 percent). One of the department’s highest priorities is to provide the information and training programs that prepare the state’s resident workforce to get the maximum benefit from the state’s economic growth. To that end, the department is committed to improving the content and marketing of its training programs and producing sound occupational forecasts to help identify unmet training needs. The department also works with industry to assess their needs, coordinate training programs, and enforce resident-hire laws and regulations. Nonresident worker information for 2017 will be published in January 2019.

Target #6: Individuals exiting the Vocational Rehabilitation program are employed. Methodology: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Management Information System. Analysis of results and challenges: In order to be considered a successful closure when exiting the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), an individual must obtain competitive integrated employment and maintain that employment for a minimum of 90 days. The number of individuals who maintained competitive integrated employment increased slightly in FY2019 due to continued efforts by the division to increase the number of individuals securing competitive integrated employment. Federal Common Performance Measures rate a state’s success based upon employment retention and median wages at second quarter after exit and employment retention at fourth quarter after exit. DVR continues to place a heightened emphasis on the quality and appropriateness of an employment outcome rather than the number of individuals exiting the program to encourage long-term employment opportunities for clients. DVR expects to see the quality and retention of an individual’s employment to continue to increase. Related links:    • Vocational Rehabilitation

Target #1: Issue at least 87 percent of initial Unemployment Insurance payments within 21 days. Methodology: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administrations state performance database Percent of Initial Unemployment Insurance Payments Processed within 21 Days Year YTD Total 2018 94.0% 2017 93.4% 2016 93.3% 2015 94.7% 2014 94.3% Analysis of results and challenges: The federal timeliness benchmark is 87 percent of initial payments made within 21 days. Alaska's performance remains well above the federal benchmark each year. In 2018, the total number of people receiving an unemployment insurance payment for at least one week was 29,433.

Target #2: Requests for reimbursement from the Fishermen's Fund will be paid within 30 days of receipt. Methodology: Includes new and existing claims that have been found eligible for Fish Fund benefits and were processed. Average Number of Days to Process a Fishermen's Fund Claim Fiscal Year # of claims paid FY 2019 230 FY 2018 269 FY 2017 286 FY 2016 294 FY 2015 290 FY 2014 371 FY 2013 333 FY 2012 373 FY 2011 447 FY 2010 629 FY 2009 698 FY 2008 705 Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2019, the number of claims received by the Fishermen’s Fund totaled 339 with 208 claims approved for benefits (192 by fund administration and 16 by the Fishermen's Fund Council). The Fund processed benefit payments for 230 claims (includes new and existing claims). A total of 994 bill payments were issued by the Fund. The Fund has been diligent in improving processing of first payments on claims under $10,000. The Fund has actively worked with injured fishermen and providers to ensure that submitted claims contain all required documentation upon initial presentation through the first 90 days via phone call or email. In FY2010, the Fishermen’s Fund benefit limit was raised from $2,500 to $10,000 by the legislature and provided vessel owners reimbursement of a portion of their Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance deductible, if the injured fishermen filed a claim with the P&I insurer. In FY2019, the Legislature agreed to increase the reimbursable portion of the P&I deductible payment to $5,000 and this change will become effective in FY2020. Claims filed by fisherman are cyclical with the fishing season. The Fund receives 50 percent of its claims between July and October. The Fund approved 192 claims within 30 days or less. Delayed Decisions and payments were issued on 131 claims for the following reasons: 1. The Fund did not receive required medical bills, chart notes and explanation of benefits with the claim. 2. The Fund was unable to verify a valid license or permit. 3. The Fund requested additional information and the information was not provided.

Current as of December 6, 2019