Workforce and Unemployment Consulting

Grounded in Workforce and Unemployment Experience

Our team includes experts who have worked within state workforce agencies and understand the real-world challenges these agencies face. From navigating unemployment insurance (UI) to modernizing job training programs, NASWA offers practical, informed guidance based on decades of hands-on experience. We also bring deep knowledge in public policy, data analysis, program evaluation, and project management.

Trusted by States, Focused on Impact

For nearly a century, NASWA has earned the trust of state workforce leaders by listening closely to their needs and working alongside them to find smart, people-centered solutions. Through collaborative stakeholder engagement and a focus on continuous process improvement, we help states build more responsive, modern, and effective services for jobseekers and employers alike.

Our Services

At NASWA, we offer a wide range of services designed to help state workforce agencies, nonprofit partners, and other organizations improve their systems, programs, and outcomes. Our team brings deep subject-matter expertise, hands-on experience, and a national perspective to every project. Here’s how we can support your goals:

Technical Assistance & Strategic Support

As a trusted national facilitator, NASWA brings together partners across programs and states to share best practices, solve problems, and innovate. We offer hands-on technical assistance, including:

• Customized support for workforce and UI systems.
• Specialized expertise in areas such as program integrity, behavioral insights, federal funding, unemployment insurance, user experience, and apprenticeship

Our support of national policy committees and workgroups across key issue areas - such as Employment & Training, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, and Veterans Affairs - provides us with unique access to the latest information, trends, and developments.

Our Work

Expand the dropdowns below to discover project highlights and explore what has been accomplished!

U.S. Department of Labor Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) Evaluation and Evidence-Building

Client: Abt Global (funded by USDOL) | National | 2018–2027

 

As a sub to Abt Global, NASWA supports the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program through evidence-based practices and evaluation support. Since 2018, NASWA’s subject matter expertise has helped states meet legislative requirements, improve program design, and enhance service delivery. This work has included developing surveys, reports, and webinars; conducting in-depth reviews of technical assistance documents and evaluation studies; and supporting an unemployment insurance administrative cost study. Together, these efforts provide states with actionable insights, reinforce evidence-based implementation, and advance national RESEA program objectives.

Tiger Team Project: Improving Nevada’s UI Homepage and Claimant Communications

Client: Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation | 2022 – 2023

 

NASWA partnered with BIT to assist Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) in increasing access to and improving customer experience with the state’s UI program. NASWA and BIT collaborated in conducting qualitative research and revising UI documents to:

1. Understand and eliminate pain points and barriers in the claims application process; and
2. Improve communications to increase claimants’ understanding of program requirements and processes.

The team conducted a randomized controlled trial to measure the impact of three versions of a UI determination letter, with different message framings. Claimants’ comprehension of all three versions of the revised document improved by 4 – 5 percentage points, over the original letter. Practically speaking, the results of the research suggest that scaling the behaviorally redesigned letters could lead to:

• Claimants asking fewer and better questions.
• Claimants feeling less overwhelmed or less frustrated by the UI process.
• Claimants completing next steps with higher accuracy.
• Fewer claimants submitting appeals due to lack of understanding.
• Fewer adjudications being needed.
• Reduction in claim processing delays.
• About 12,500 fewer customer calls for assistance to the UI agency.

Jobs and Employment Data Exchange (JEDX)

Client: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | National | 2022

 

NASWA partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to support the Jobs and Employment Data Exchange (JEDX) initiative, which aims to modernize workforce data sharing. The project included supporting technical workgroup meetings and providing subject matter expertise in the development of project reports, ensuring recommendations were informed by state workforce agency perspectives and practical implementation considerations.

 

Study of the Great Recession and Unemployment Insurance System in the 21st Century

Client: The Urban Institute (contractor to USDOL) | National | 2019–2021

 

NASWA partnered with the Urban Institute to explore the effects of the Great Recession on the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system and evaluate its preparedness for future economic challenges. The project involved developing survey instruments and review guides, assisting with participant recruitment, and providing comprehensive written feedback on the final report. NASWA’s contributions ensured the study captured state-level perspectives and produced actionable recommendations for strengthening the UI system in the years ahead.

T3 Initiative: Employment and Earnings Record Standards Project

Client: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | National | 2020–2021

 

NASWA contributed to the T3 Initiative, led by the HR Open Standards Consortium, to develop a comprehensive schema of HR data elements aimed at standardizing employment and earnings records across employers. The work included drafting and editing webinar content, creating use cases, and preparing a year-end report for stakeholders, helping advance efforts toward consistent, interoperable workforce data standards nationwide.

Analysis of Employer Performance Measurement

Client: The Urban Institute (funded by USDOL) | National | 2017–2020

 

NASWA partnered with the Urban Institute to examine how “employer services” are defined and measured across federal, state, and local workforce programs. The project aimed to explore options for creating a uniform definition and consistent performance measures for employer services. NASWA supported the effort by developing and administering surveys, participating in interviews and site visits, and analyzing state-level measurement practices to inform evaluation design and improve the reliability and feasibility of employer service metrics.