A recent study found that long-term unemployed job seekers with industry experience are less likely to be called for an interview than short-term unemployed job seekers without any industry experience.

Moreover, the long-term unemployed are more likely to face financial and psychological challenges that can present barriers to finding and keeping steady employment.

Platform to Employment® (P2E) is a program designed to address the crisis of long-term unemployment, helping job seekers update job search skills, develop new professional networks, build interviewing skills, and more.

The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) considered incorporating the P2E program model, or elements of it, into several pilot projects. This case study provides formative feedback to the OEWD to support funding decisions and the design of future pilot projects.

This report includes:

  • An overview of the P2E model and how San Francisco was selected as a program pilot site
  • Findings regarding P2E program implementation in San Francisco and participants’ and employers’ perceptions of the program
  • A discussion of the findings and summary of lessons learned