For Workforce Programs

Measure readiness. Track growth. Prove impact.

IRIS gives workforce development programs the behavioral intelligence to identify where participants are, develop what matters most, and demonstrate real growth to funders and stakeholders.

92%
Average retention rate for IRIS-placed participants
3x
Longer job placements vs. industry average
100%
Of participants show measurable growth in foundational skills
$7
Social return per $1 invested (CrossPurpose SROI analysis)
The Challenge

Workforce programs are under pressure to prove what's changing.

Most workforce development programs work hard to prepare participants for employment—but struggle to measure the behavioral and mindset shifts that actually predict job success. Funders want evidence. Employers want ready candidates. Participants need to see their own progress.

IRIS solves all three. By measuring 103 behavioral attributes at intake and re-measuring over time, programs can see exactly what's changing, target development precisely, and report impact with real data.

Subjective readiness rubrics that can't be defended to funders
Participants placed into jobs without understanding their behavioral barriers
No longitudinal data to show what actually changed in participants
Coaches relying on instinct instead of behavioral insight
Employers receiving candidates who leave within weeks
What IRIS measures at intake
Career Readiness20 attributes
The 8 Imperativesfoundational skills
Self-Awareness, Resiliency, Self-Confidencecritical early
Emotional intelligence, grit, social skillsjob-ready signals
Initiative, Accountability, Adaptabilityemployer priorities
Role & culture targetscustom
103 behavioral attributes measured in about 10 minutes. Available in multiple languages. Mobile-friendly.
How It Works

A clear process from intake to placement to retention.

IRIS fits into the natural structure of a workforce development program, adding behavioral intelligence at every stage.

1

Assess at Intake

Participants complete the IRIS behavioral survey at program entry. Coaches immediately see Career Readiness, Imperatives scores, and key strengths and gaps.

2

Focus Development

IRIS identifies which of the 8 foundational Imperatives to address first. Coaching conversations are built around behavioral evidence rather than instinct.

3

Match to Roles

Compare participant behavioral profiles against job targets and employer culture to identify best-fit placements — reducing early turnover and mismatches.

4

Measure & Report

Re-survey at program milestones. IRIS shows individual and aggregate growth, giving you the data to report to funders and demonstrate program ROI.

The 8 Imperatives

Build the foundation that everything else depends on.

IRIS identifies eight foundational behavioral attributes — the Imperatives — that must be developed before higher-order skills like leadership or critical thinking can reliably take root. Workforce programs that address Imperatives first consistently see larger and more lasting outcomes.

In programs using IRIS, 91–100% of participants show statistically significant growth in one or more Imperative within a 6-week intervention period.

See how it works in a demo
The 8 Foundational Skills
Emotional Self-AwarenessThe base
Self-Assessment
Self-Alignment
Self-Confidence
Self-Blame
Self-Restraint
Stress Tolerance
Resiliency
IRIS recommends addressing Imperatives gaps first. Once a solid foundation is established, participants are far more responsive to coaching on higher-order career readiness skills.
Data from the Field

Real outcomes from workforce programs using IRIS.

These results come from programs serving opportunity youth, adults with barriers to employment, teen parents, veterans, and underserved communities.

Workforce Placement

YUPRO — Year Up Professional Resources

Workforce placement firm serving urban young adults from the Year Up program. IRIS used to assess 400+ participants and guide individualized coaching toward job placement.

Attrition rate8% (industry avg: 250%)
Placement retention92%
Placements stay3× longer than industry
Orders filled vs. industry2 out of 3 (vs. 1 in 10)
Poverty Reduction Program

CrossPurpose — Denver, CO

6-month career and community development program reducing poverty in Northeast Denver, serving adults known as "Leaders." IRIS used to measure growth in 6-week personal development cohort.

Year 1 Imperatives growth91% of Leaders
Year 2 Imperatives growth100% of Leaders
Readiness target growth5.48% (consistent Y1+Y2)
Social return on investment$7 per $1 invested
Teen Parent Program

Hope House of Colorado

Self-sufficiency program for teen moms in metro Denver. IRIS provided objective behavioral measurement to replace subjective rubrics and identify where emotional intelligence gaps were causing job loss.

Participants grew in Imperatives100%
Avg Imperatives growth+13%
Avg Readiness growth+10%
Program duration4-week Job Upgrade class
Barriers to Employment

Activate Workforce Solutions

Denver-based workforce program helping individuals with barriers—including incarceration history and periods of unemployment—find and keep meaningful work. IRIS used to screen and place participants.

Retention vs. other sources3× higher
Annual social benefit$22,889 per placement
Better-fit placementsEmployer-rated "rockstars"
National Career Readiness

National Career Readiness Program

740 first-generation college attendees in an 8-week professional development program and 8-month internship. IRIS used to measure longitudinal growth and prove cross-state program consistency.

Consistent growth across statesProven recruiting stability
Self-Confidence growth (8 weeks)Significant increase
Predictive attributes identifiedSelf-Confidence, Self-Awareness, Social Awareness
Self-Sufficiency Program

One-Year Workforce Development Program

A one-year workforce program equipping teens and adults to identify career paths, improve their financial situation, and reach self-sufficiency. IRIS measured before and after program intervention.

Imperatives match (example)47% → 91%
Career Readiness (example)62% → 100%
OutcomeGainfully employed, self-sufficient
Platform Capabilities

Built for the complexity of workforce development.

Custom job and program targets

Build behavioral targets from your top performers or employer partners. Match participants to roles before placement—not after.

Longitudinal growth tracking

Repeat measurement at intake, midpoint, and program completion. See what changed—at both the individual and cohort level—and prove your program works.

Coaching insights

Coaches see exactly where each participant is and what barriers exist. IRIS AI translates behavioral data into accessible summaries and coaching starting points.

Aggregate and individual reporting

Aggregate cohort data for funder reports. Individual growth stories for participants. Both tell compelling evidence-based narratives about program impact.

Employer-ready matching

Compare participant profiles against employer cultural targets and job requirements before placing them—reducing early separations and increasing employer satisfaction.

Equity and EEOC compliance

IRIS behavioral assessments are non-discriminatory across race, gender, age, and disability status — validated to comply with Title VII, ADA, and ADEA. Build equitable programs with confidence.

Programs IRIS is built for.

Career readiness programs
Opportunity youth programs
Re-entry programs
Teen parent programs
Adult education programs
Apprenticeship programs
Veterans transition programs
Community development nonprofits
Staffing & placement firms
Technical & trade schools
Government workforce agencies
Social enterprise organizations

"We now have longer, better matches on both job-fit and worksite-fit for our coachees. IRIS helps us immediately start individualized coaching so we can make a more meaningful impact from day one."

Kris Norris
VP of Strategic Growth, Year Up Professional Resources (YUPRO)

"IRIS is an objective tool that helps me measure the true impact of our program on the Leaders who are depending on us to help them develop the right skills to be successful."

Juan Peña
Chief Program Officer, CrossPurpose
Get in Touch

Want to explore IRIS for your workforce program?

Tell us about your program and we'll help you see how behavioral intelligence can strengthen your outcomes.

Contact Us

Ready to put behavioral evidence behind your program?

See how IRIS helps workforce programs measure what changes, place participants confidently, and prove ROI to funders with longitudinal behavioral data.