IMPROVING SKILLS AND POST-SCHOOL TRANSITIONS FOR UNDER-REPRESENTED YOUNG PEOPLE – R&D COMMISSIONED BY ENVISION

In October 2022, dmh associates was commissioned by Envision to:

• Undertake a 3-year consultancy and impact assessment review of the Envision new skills programme ‘Improving skills and post-school transitions for under-represented young people’
• Evaluate the design and delivery of the programme planned from August 2022 – August 2025. Note: Evaluation activities shall commence following a Project Inception meeting 1^st October 2022.
• Monitor the programme delivery aims which are to achieve the following outcomes:
• • Outcome 1: The increase and sustainment of critical essential skills – confidence, creativity, determination and teamwork – and employability skills linked with better employment and life outcomes for young people under-represented in the world of world.
  • Outcome 2: Improved access to, and support with, ongoing skills development, networking and appropriate work experience opportunities at end of Year 12 – in line with school curriculum – and work opportunities/traineeships/apprenticeships for graduates when they complete Year 13 or equivalent.
  • Outcome 3: Transform external communications in order to develop partnerships and long-term sustainability.

dmh associates is conducting the evaluation in 3 distinct phases:

1. Phase 1: Fidelity of the design and delivery approach – In Year 1, dmh associates will focus on informing and supporting process work. We will review with the Envision team the fidelity of the design and delivery of the programme, and how it might be improved. This will comprise:
   1. Outputs 1. A series of planned meetings to jointly review the design and delivery plan, monitoring progress and agreeing on strategies to overcome any barriers/setbacks. 
   2. Outputs 2: A series of up to 12 structured interviews with key informants and a sense-check of the claimed activity volumes as part of the fidelity interviews. By doing so, the funder will have confidence that Envision are delivering in line with the set aims and objectives. 
   3. Outputs 3: A draft and final paper setting out comparable/complementary Essential Skills Frameworks with evidence drawn from key international informants within the OECD, Cedefop, the European Training Foundation (ETF), and International Labor Organisation (ILO), academic and personal libraries and relevant grey literature. This will also include an independent assessment of progress and any setbacks, key informant feedback, and implications for the programme in Years 2 & 3. 
2. Phases 2 & 3: Incremental continued support – In Years 2 & 3, dmh associates will have agreed in advance options for development and impact assessment activities in line with the Envision detailed plan and objectives. This may include a continuation of process-driven activities and/or more in-depth independent evaluation of progress to date and impact assessment.

To access the latest report findings – Benchmarking essential skills progress