Date of Award

Spring 2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

This research project examines the importance of reviewing a new program to ensure that it is a successful and effective one in achieving its stated goals. A new apprenticeship program at the San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) has the goal of successfully training a select group of participants, while maintaining the high customer service standards the citizens of San Francisco are accustomed to. A review of a participant survey results on the one hand and a review of supervisory performance evaluations on the other were done to determine whether a) program participants are being properly trained and b) department needs are being met. Feedback from program participants as well as documenting, analyzing, and appropriately incorporating this feedback into program practices is crucial for it to be a successful one. Job training is considered extremely important by the program participants since they consider these skills to be the foundation for acquiring additional skills which will enable them to qualify and apply for future positions.

There are several components to this study. It includes reviewing literature regarding similar programs, gathering and assessing data from personal interviews, and conducting a survey of employees involved with the program and documenting and presenting the findings of the survey.

The final analysis will support the theory that the program is being effectively run through a means of constantly reviewing and analyzing the progress of the program, and continuously adjusting those factors that must change as a result of those reviews. The inherent flexibility of the system to allow for periodic adjustment at any point in time is a significant contributing factor of the program's success. It is the hope that the success of this program will have some visibility among other City agencies and become a model from which to fashion similar apprenticeship-type programs.

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