Evaluation of Skills Coaching trials and Skills Passports A synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence
Research Report No. 391
by Chris Hasluck, Jenny Bimrose, Sally-Anne Barnes, Jamie Brown, Lucy Marris, Gerry McGivern, Michael Orton and Richard White
Amongst the specific measures contained in the New Deal for Skills (NDfS) when it was announced in 2004 were the development of a Skills Coaching service and the introduction of Skills Passports. The key objective of the proposed Skills Coaching service was to add value to existing Jobcentre Plus support for customers. Those eligible for Skills Coaching were adults (aged 20 and over) claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or an inactive benefit (IAB) for whom a lack of skills was the barrier to sustained employment.
Trials of Skills Coaching and Skills Passports commenced in April 2005 in eight Jobcentre Plus districts. Access to Skills Coaching is through Jobcentre Plus Advisers who refer eligible customers to the service. After an initial interview, Skills Coaching leads to an assessment of the individual's employability and agreement of a Skills Development Plan setting out skill-related objectives for the customer. Skills Coaches then broker learning provision through local providers to enable the customer to meet their Skill Development Plan objectives. Skills Coaches also provide support during learning activities and/or at the end of their period of learning. Where customers remain on benefit, Skills Coaches will refer the customer back to their Jobcentre Plus Adviser. The Skills Coaching programme also incorporates the trial development of Skills Passports. The Skills Passport was designed to provide a record of learning and achievement that meets the needs of both individuals and employers.
This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the Skills Coaching trials undertaken by the Warwick Institute for Employment Research (IER). The evaluation consisted of two main strands: First, qualitative interviews were conducted with Skills Coaching customers, Jobcentre Plus Advisers, Skills Coaches, nextstep Advisers and training providers at the six month and 10 month points of the trials. Second, quantitative analysis of the take up of Skills Coaching, the volume and characteristics of participants, the types of services received, and the outcomes achieved was conducted using data from the Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System (LMS) and the Learning and Skills Council Management Information (LSC MI) system.
By June 2006, IER had produced three reports on Skills Coaching, consisting of two reports on the qualitative surveys and a third report providing quantitative analysis of MI. The present report provides a synthesis of the evidence presented in these earlier IER reports and draws together the qualitative and quantitative evidence. It seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of the implementation, delivery and impact of the Skills Coaching initiative. The evidence reported here relates to the first 12 months of operation of the Skills Coaching trials (April 2005 to March 2006).
October 2006
ISBN 1 84712 098 9
