Research study and evaluation of Tees Valley Combined Authority strategic approach to careers education

Evaluation and Impact Assessment

Tees Valley Combined Authority have commissioned dmh associates to develop a methodology to measure the impact of the Tees Valley’s strategic approach to careers education and conduct an operational evaluation of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s careers initiative: TeesValleyCareers.com

he team was led by Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE working closely with Karen Adriaanse, Chris Percy and Robert Hughes (Senior Associates). Research and evaluation involved:

-developing a methodology to measure the impact of the Tees Valley’s strategic approach to careers education; and

-conducting an operational evaluation of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s careers initiative: teesvalleycareers.com .

Aims and objectives

Review and assess the continued fitness of purpose of the current strategic objectives and delivery mechanisms for the Tees Valley wide initiative. Assess the impact the Programme has had on stakeholders, education establishments, businesses and young people.

Review and report against the outputs, outcomes and impacts of the Tees Valley programme, comparing these against the key performance indicators as set out by the Careers & Education Company and taking into consideration previous national and international research undertaken.

Take full account of the impact Covid-19 on the local economic, education and social landscape, particularly its impact on progression opportunities for young people.

Take into account the impact of the pandemic to careers education delivery resulting in disruption to schooling through lockdown, self-isolating requirements and shifts towards more blended arrangements.

Produce practical recommendations that will enable the TVCA to deliver a robust approach to careers education and online support mechanisms. These will be both strategic and operational ensuring alignment to relevant national, regional and local policies.

This work involved a combination of desk research, online surveys with careers leaders, students, parents/carers and employers, and relevant follow up activities.

The project will produce practical recommendations that will enable the TVCA to deliver a robust approach to careers education and online support mechanisms. These will be both strategic and operational ensuring alignment to relevant national, regional and local policies.

Timescale

The evaluation activities were undertaken by dmh associates over a 9-week period (w/c 4^th January 2021 – 15^th March 2021).