16 December 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 618: 'Qualitative Evaluation of Integrated Employment and Skills (IES) Trials: Implementation Report’
New independent research published today commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills describes the implementation and early operation of the Integrated Employment and Skills trials, introduced in 12 areas in England between September 2008 and March 2009. The trials are testing key components of the integrated employment and skills (IES) service for Jobcentre Plus customers, including increased support to identify and respond to customers with skills needs, if this is seen as a barrier to finding sustainable employment. Jobcentre Plus advisers refer customers to specialist careers information and advice through the nextstep service, normally involving a Skills Health Check which is an in-depth interview with a nextstep careers adviser to identify skills needs, resulting in a Skills Action Plan. The co-location of Jobcentre Plus and nextstep advice services underpins the IES approach.
This report presents the findings of a qualitative research project undertaken in 10 of the 12 IES trial areas in England. DWP and BIS commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies to conduct a process study to provide early evidence on the effective elements of the trials from the perspective of Jobcentre Plus staff, nextstep staff and customers. Three rounds of fieldwork were undertaken, aligned with the staggered roll-out of the IES trials. A total of 172 Jobcentre Plus and nextstep staff interviews and observations were carried out, along with 103 customer interviews. The fieldwork took place between December 2008 and July 2009.
Key Findings
1. The trials were successfully set up and made operational during a difficult economic climate.
2. Skills screening processes and the process of referral to nextstep improved over the lifetime of the evaluation.
3. The co-location of careers services through nextstep and employment services has been successful in supporting a more integrated delivery process.
4. JSA customers expressed positive attitudes towards the personalised careers and skills support provided by nextstep through IES, in terms of helping to boost self confidence and personal motivation
5. Despite improved joint working there is further progress to be made to ensure that employment and skills services are successfully integrated. The procedures and processes used by careers services and employment services are not yet fully compatible; enhanced shared training and learning for staff as well as the further development of joined up IT systems and data sharing would greatly help customers to experience a seamless journey through an enhanced employment and skills system.
6. Assessment of the impact of an integrated employment and skills service on the ability of customers to move into sustained employment will take a longer timeframe to measure.
Notes to Editors
Research Report 618: ‘Qualitative Evaluation of Integrated Employment and Skills (IES) Trials: Implementation Report is published on 16th December 2009. The report is available on the DWP website.
The IES trials operate in 12 Jobcentre Plus Districts in England. Research has been conducted in 10 of the 12 trials areas.
Research Report 618 is the first in a series or research outputs that will report the findings of a programme of evaluation of the IES Trials to 2011.
The government commissioned Lord Sandy Leitch to review employment and skills services. The resulting report to government Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills (2006) recommended the creation of an adult advancement and careers service and the better integration of employment and skills services.
The government response to Leitch has been set out in a series of papers including World Class Skills: Implementing the Leitch Review in England (2007) and Work Skills (2008).
Nextstep is the free branded face to face adult careers service provided by the Learning and Skills Council. A new adult advancement and careers service will be launched in 2010.
DWP and BIS are preparing new systems and protocols to share customer skills and employment data under legislation introduced in the Welfare Reform Act (2009).
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