Process and net impact evaluations of the Focus: HOPE adult training programs and student loan fund

Focus: HOPE provides valuable, practical occupational training in machinist or information technology (IT) occupations to young people who face barriers to the development of viable careers through postsecondary education and training because of low income, basic skills deficiencies, incarceration, or parenting responsibilities. This report documents an evaluation study of the adult training programs provided by Focus: HOPE. The single most positive finding is that Focus: HOPE has a significant impact on the employment likelihood of its students. Employment outcomes for ‘successful’ completers in machining or IT were very positive: training-related employment rates seem to have improved over time, but still are lower than might be expected. The earnings impact of Focus: HOPE training is also positive, but it is not nearly as strong an effect as employment. The most puzzling finding is that in the last four years, the trend in annual enrolments and course completions has been downward. Overall, it is accurate to say that the training programs at Focus: HOPE are improving the life chances of its students despite encountering over the last few years conditions that have not been beneficial: the drying-up of government grants-in-aid and the contracting of the labour market, especially in machine trades. Thus, the two major problems that Focus: HOPE needs to solve in order to continue its positive benefits are establishing stable revenue sources to cover the costs of training and reversing the downward trend in enrolments.

Focus: HOPE provides valuable, practical occupational training in machinist or information technology (IT) occupations to young people who face barriers to the development of viable careers through postsecondary education and training because of low income, basic skills deficiencies, incarceration, or parenting responsibilities. This report documents an evaluation study of the adult training programs provided by Focus: HOPE. The single most positive finding is that Focus: HOPE has a significant impact on the employment likelihood of its students. Employment outcomes for ‘successful’ ...  [+] Show more