An Evaluation of the "Learning Worker" Pilot in Llanelli (2003-2004)

Type of project/activity:

The National Assembly for Wales has commissioned Newidiem in association with the EIESP to undertake an evaluation of the Learning Workers Pilot (LWP) in Llanelli.

Objectives:

The main objective is to assess how the provision of funding contributes to raising the qualification levels of individuals working in the pilot area selected in Wales.

Background:

Raising GDP levels is highly dependant on the development of both knowledge-based enterprises and a skilled and committed workforce. Wales lags behind other European regions in terms of qualification and skills attainment among workers. Since 80% of the current workforce will continue to be in employment in ten years time, raising the skill levels of the workforce within an acceptable timeframe cannot be achieved by up-skilling new entrants to the labour market through schools and colleges alone. Wales lags behind other European countries in terms of proportions of the workforce qualified to Level 3 which has major implications for the economy of Wales in the light of continuing development of the knowledge economy and growing reliance on high-level skills. Compounding the issue is the delocalisation of relatively low skilled jobs to areas within Eastern Europe in search of cheaper labour sources. Accelerating the workplace development of higher skills and qualifications is essential therefore if Wales is to become competitive with other European economies.

Partners:

The project is led by NEWIDIEM (Wales, UK) and carried out in association with the EIESP.

Main Activities:

The first phase, during the first term of 2003, was a "scoping study", which involved: a literature review (academic literature review, report & documents on specific areas of concern, policy documentation review); initial consultations with stakeholders; database development; development of a the Sample Framework and questionnaire design.

Overall the evaluation has:

• Collected and analysed quantitative and qualitative data from a large representative sample of employees who have participated in learning through the LWP initiative.
• Collected and analysed quantitative and qualitative data from a sample of enterprises.
• Undertaken case-studies of a smaller sample of enterprises
• Undertaken interviews with the organisations key to implementing the pilot scheme (training providers, administrative and marketing services, support services, etc.)
• Evolved a thematic focus
• Undertaken on-going documentation analysis to provide an assessment of results against policy documents, targets, etc.
• Made comparisons with parallel pilot schemes in England.
• Mad an assessment of criteria for success, barriers and obstacles, the role of funding support in encouraging learning, other forms of support needed, etc.

Name of programme, funder or client:

The National Assembly for Wales.

Expected outcomes, reports/documents:

Reports will be delivered to the client, the National Assembly for Wales to agreed milestones.

An article drawing on some aspects of the evaluation was published in the European Journal of Education Vol. 39, No. 1 March 2004: Robert Huggins & Stuart Harries, The Skills Economy and Workforce Development: A Regional Approach to Policy Intervention


For more information, please contact

Jean Gordon gordon@eiesp.org