Employer Partnership Program Analysis of Alternatives: Summary

• Published in: Policy File 2012
• Main Authors: Pint, Ellen M, Richardson, Amy, Hallmark, Bryan W, Epstein, Scott, Benson, Albert L
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Labor force/Employment; RAND Corporation

Members of the Army Reserve and National Guard balance two careers, and the bulk of their earnings come through civilian employment. The employment of reservists can present challenges to employers, however, given the likelihood that employees will face at least one year-long mobilization during their Army careers. The Army Reserve launched the Employer Partnership Program (EPP) in 2008 to help address these challenges, and it has since been extended to the Army National Guard and the reserve components of other services. One of the program's primary features is a job search website for reserve component service members, veterans, and family members that allows employer partners to recruit employees from this population. To assess experience with the program through September 2010, this study analyzed data collected from the EPP's job search website, conducted case studies of Army Reserve units located in four metropolitan areas, and interviewed program stakeholders. Low usage of the EPP website suggests the need to increase outreach efforts and improve the job search experience. The study also developed metrics that can be used to monitor the website's performance and to determine whether additional resources should be invested in it. Collaboration with employer partners could be improved by providing visibility of applicants coming through the EPP website, allowing employers to reach out to website users, and providing information about the types of guard and reserve units located near the employer.