Close-up of hands filling out a strategic worksheet to map organizational impact and emotions for the NJ DOL project.
DESIGN RESEARCH & USER EXPERIENCE

How might we meet the unemployed and underemployed where they are, to create purposeful experiences in job training?

Department of Labor
New Jersey, USA

By providing new access to meaningful employment; building prosperity and long-term emotional well-being; and strengthening individuals, their families and communities, the Data for the American Dream project has a goal of ultimately strengthening New Jersey itself.

Innovate New Jersey (INJ) and the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJ DOL) invited SOUR and ShedLight.org to help them understand the challenges of job seekers and uncover ways to make to digital search for job training successful, through INJ and NJ DOL’s training search tool “Training Explorer”.

"Training Explorer The Playbook" cover alongside a screenshot of a remote co-creation workshop using digital sticky notes and video conferencing.Detailed user persona map identifying systemic obstacles like racism and ageism for job seekers, co-created with the NJ Department of Labor.Radial diagrams analyzing the characteristics of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and the primary audience for the Training Explorer tool.Design evolution of a career ad for "Chief Diversity Officer," showing the initial sketch, final visual, and a laptop mockup on LinkedIn."My Next Step is to get Certified" campaign visuals featuring a nurse practitioner, displayed on mobile app screens and outdoor signage.Marketing campaign mockup for the Training Explorer tool targeting users seeking marketing skills, shown on a smartphone interface.