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Customers' experiences of the Youth Contract

The government introduced the Youth Contract in April 2012 to provide additional support for unemployed young peopl ... Show more
The government introduced the Youth Contract in April 2012 to provide additional support for unemployed young people between the ages of 18 and 24. It includes: more intensive support from Jobcentre Plus advisers; additional funding for up to 250,000 work experience and sector-based work academies placements; and a wage incentive for employers recruiting a young person who has been claiming for over six months or is on the Work Programme. The evaluation of the Youth Contract consists of a range of research studies. This latest report provides feedback from large-scale surveys of young people who received support from the Youth Contract through Jobcentre Plus. The survey also includes a sample of participants on work experience and sector based work academies. Interviews were carried out in summer 2013.
Abstract from publisher's website. Show less

Authors: Coleman, Nick; McGinigal, Stephen; Hingley, Sarah

Date: 2014

Geographic subjects: Great Britain; Europe

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Youth; Employment; Policy ... [+] Show more
Implementation and second-year impacts for New Deal 25 Plus customers in the UK Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration

This report presents new findings on how an innovative post-employment program in Britain is affecting the employme ... Show more
This report presents new findings on how an innovative post-employment program in Britain is affecting the employment, earnings and benefits receipt of long-term unemployed individuals. This initiative, called the Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration program, is being carefully evaluated through a large-scale randomised control trial. ERA offered a unique combination of financial incentives and in-work support designed to help individuals sustain and advance in the labour market. The demonstration targeted three groups: unemployed lone parents, lone parents working part-time, and long-term unemployed individuals receiving government benefits. While a companion report [indexed at TD/TNC 94.119] presents effects for lone parents, this report focuses on the experiences of the long-term unemployed group, most of whom are men. An earlier evaluation report published in 2007 [indexed at TD/TNC 89.84], showed that, despite significant positive effects for lone parents, ERA's effects for the long-term unemployed group were mixed and uncertain after one year of follow-up. For this group, the program had shown no effects overall on employment or earnings but there were suggestions of positive effects in some districts. The new evidence presented here, covering two years of follow-up, continues to show that ERA's effects were limited. Although the program increased overall employment rates and reduced benefits receipt in year two, these effects were small. However, final assessment of ERA's effectiveness for this group must await longer-term follow-up.
Excerpt from published summary. Show less

Authors: Miller, Cynthia; Bewley, Helen; Campbell-Barr, Verity; Dorsett, Richard ... [+] Show more

Date: 2008

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Finance; Gender; Research ... [+] Show more
Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration: delivery, take-up, and outcomes of in-work training support for lone parents

This report presents new findings from Britain's Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration programme ... Show more
This report presents new findings from Britain's Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration programme, launched in autumn 2003. ERA was designed to test the effectiveness of a programme to improve the labour market prospects of low-paid workers and long-term unemployed people. One of ERA's key goals was to encourage human capital development by supporting and incentivising training among low-wage workers. The programme provided personal adviser support and financial incentives for completing training and working full-time. This report looks at the delivery, take-up, and outcomes of ERA's training support and incentives. A central question is whether intensive adviser support and financial incentives encourage training beyond what would normally occur. Because training encompasses a broad range of activities, this report details the kinds of training courses people took in ERA. Finally, it is important to assess whether training leads to better labour market outcomes. Some programmes have increased training with no corresponding effect on earnings. One hypothesis to explain these results is that the training might not have been in courses relevant to advancement. Therefore, this study examines the occupational relevance of the courses taken.
Excerpts from MRDC website. Show less

Authors: Hendra, Richard; Ray, Kathryn; Vegeris, Sandra; Hevenstone, Debra ... [+] Show more

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Great Britain; Europe

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Outcomes; Workforce development; Labour market ... [+] Show more
A comparative review of workfare programmes in the United States, Canada and Australia

This report examines the impact of workfare schemes that mandate participation in unpaid work activities as a condi ... Show more
This report examines the impact of workfare schemes that mandate participation in unpaid work activities as a condition of receiving social assistance ('work for benefits'). The research involved a literature review of international evidence of workfare programs. Three countries were chosen as offering interesting and relevant examples of workfare type programs: the US, Canada and Australia. The report refers to key features that help participants on workfare programs into employment. Insisting on some job search for participants during the program is vital to ensure that they do not become dependent on this form of employment and actually move into the open labour market. The second key feature is treating participants' barriers to work and not just their lack of work experience. Additional support for those with drink and drug problems and basic employability skills helps improve participants' chances of finding work. The report points to evidence that full-time activity in such programs leads to improved job outcomes.
Excerpts from published summary. Show less

Authors: Crisp, Richard; Fletcher, Del Roy

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2008

Geographic subjects: North America; Oceania; United States ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Research; Employment; Evaluation
Work-focused services in children's centres pilot: final report

This report provides findings from the final stage of the evaluation of the 'work-focused services in children's ce ... Show more
This report provides findings from the final stage of the evaluation of the 'work-focused services in children's centres' pilot. The pilot was one of a suite of Child Poverty Pilots announed in 2008. The pilot operated in 10 local authority areas (30 Sure Start Children's Centres in total) in England, providing work-focused services through a dedicated Jobcentre Plus Personal Adviser, as well as activities designed to meet local needs. It ran from January 2009 to March 2011. The aim of the pilot was to test how children's centres can offer a more effective means of engaging parents in labour market activity, moving them closer to work, and ultimately into employment. A mixed methods evaluation was put in place to assess the impacts of the pilot and explore experiences and perceptions of its implementation. The evaluation included surveys of centre users, interviews with parents, staff and stakeholders and analysis of [Department for Work and Pensions] DWP administrative data and data collected specifically for the evaluation. Research was also undertaken in a number of non-pilot children's centres by means of comparison. The evaluation was undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).
Published abstract. Show less

Authors: Marangozov, Rachel; Stevens, Helen

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Great Britain; Europe

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Disadvantaged; Employment; Research ... [+] Show more
What employers look for when recruiting the unemployed and inactive: skills, characteristics and qualifications

This study examines the evidence relating to what employers are looking for when recruiting, and the extent to whic ... Show more
This study examines the evidence relating to what employers are looking for when recruiting, and the extent to which government provision meets their needs, focusing on unemployed and inactive adults between 16 and state pension age (SPA). The study also explores whether there are differences in employers’ requirements by age. The review covers: What sort of characteristics, skills and qualifications do employers look for when recruiting employees? How important are qualifications to employers? Are employers more interested in soft skills/employability skills and if so, how do employers recognise soft skills in the interview process and afterwards? In addition to a summary, the report contains three chapters. The introductory chapter outlines the methodology and discusses definitions of age, learning and training, skills and qualifications, skills shortages and skills gaps, and occupational groups. Chapter two reviews the findings from the academic, policy and evaluation literature to identify the issues as they apply to younger or older people in the unemployed or inactive communities, and to other groups within this community where appropriate. Chapter three provides expert views of employers’ needs on recruitment, specifically the characteristics, skills and qualifications employers look for when recruiting and employers’ views of training. Findings indicate that: employers continue to face recruitment difficulties - one-fifth of reported vacancies could not be filled due to a lack of applicants with the necessary skills; overall, employers are less demanding of technical skills, considering them trainable, if candidates exhibit employability and soft skills, and positive attributes; amongst core characteristics employers look for are motivation and flexibility; qualifications do not appear to be important for a large number of employers and jobs, consistently ranking beneath characteristics and soft skills in recruitment frameworks; and age stereotypes persist about older and younger workers (and other inactive groups) and while they benefit some groups, they disadvantage others. Show less

Authors: Newton, Becci; Hurstfield, Jennifer; Miller, Linda; Page, Rosie ... [+] Show more

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Youth; Research; Skills and knowledge ... [+] Show more
Implementation and second-year impacts for lone parents in the UK Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration

This report presents new findings on the implementation and effectiveness of Britain's Employment Retention and Adv ... Show more
This report presents new findings on the implementation and effectiveness of Britain's Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration program, which is being evaluated though a large-scale randomised control trial. ERA's distinctive combination of post-employment advisory support and financial incentives was designed to help low-income individuals who entered work sustain employment and advance in the labour market. The analysis presented here focuses on the experiences of lone parents within the first two years following their entry onto the program.
Excerpt from published summary. Show less

Authors: Riccio, James A.; Bewley, Helen; Campbell-Barr, Verity; Dorsett, Richard ... [+] Show more

Date: 2008

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Finance; Culture and society; Research ... [+] Show more
Mandating IAP for older New Dealers: an interim report of the quantitative evaluation

New Deal 25 plus (ND25+) provides job search assistance, training opportunities and work placements to people aged ... Show more
New Deal 25 plus (ND25+) provides job search assistance, training opportunities and work placements to people aged between 25 and the state pension age who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for 18 out of 21 months. It comprises three stages: Gateway - up to four months of intensive jobsearch assistance; Intensive Activity Period (IAP) - a variety of assistance (training, work experience etc.) lasting 13 to 52 weeks; Follow-through - further jobsearch assistance for up to three months. At present, people aged 50 and over on ND25+ can volunteer to participate in the IAP. The Pensions Green Paper ‘Simplicity, security and choice: working and saving for retirement’ announced the intention to run a pilot study mandating participation. This has been running since April 2004 in 14 Jobcentre Plus districts. This report documents the evaluation to date of the effect of the mandate. Results are interim at this stage - final results will be available in a later report due in 2008. The evaluation follows a random assignment (or ‘experimental’) design. Individuals participating in the pilots are randomly assigned to either an ‘action’ group for whom IAP participation is mandatory or a ‘control’ group for whom participation remains voluntary. The analysis is based on data collected at the time of random assignment and on the New Deal Evaluation Database. Up until August 2005, 2,622 individuals had participated in the pilots. The total number of participants expected by the end of the pilot period is about 4,000. This is less by a third than original expectations.
Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Dorsett, Richard; Speckesser, Stefan

Corporate authors: Policy Studies Institute (Great Britain) (PSI) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2006

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Participation; Qualifications; Evaluation ... [+] Show more
Evaluation of the European Social Fund 2014-2020 programme in England: qualitative case study research

The European Social Fund (ESF) is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds which are used by the Europe ... Show more
The European Social Fund (ESF) is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds which are used by the European Union to fund programmes for supporting growth and jobs across member states. The ESF focuses on improving employment opportunities, promoting social inclusion and investing in skills. The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions), ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency), National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and Her Majesty's Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) are the main co-financing organisations (CFOs) for the ESF in England. A limited amount of funding is also available for smaller delivery organisations through direct bids. As part of the impact evaluation of the ESF 2014 to 2020, the DWP commissioned IFF Research to carry out qualitative case study research with projects funded by the ESF in England.
The research aimed to understand 'what works' in the delivery of employability and skills interventions via the ESF and to provide insight into 'how' and 'why' outcomes are achieved. The research also aimed to allow some exploration of softer outcomes that can be harder to identify through quantitative analysis. The research consisted of 20 case studies with projects funded by the ESF 2014-2020 programme. The research also included an augmented case study with ESF provision delivered through HMPPS to people in custody or on probation, across six sites. HMPPS provision was managed and delivered through a different model than mainstream ESF provision, and HMPPS provision is therefore discussed separately in this report. The fieldwork was carried out between September 2019 and February 2020 and was therefore unaffected by [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19.
Excerpt from publication. Show less

Authors: Basi, Tanya; Allingham, Henry; Charsley, Joseph; Mitchell, Nicholas ... [+] Show more

Date: 2022

Geographic subjects: England; Great Britain; Europe

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Finance; Evaluation; Employment ... [+] Show more
Job Search Study: literature review and analysis of the Labour Force Survey

The Job Search Study presents research findings from an investigation into job-search practices among different sub ... Show more
The Job Search Study presents research findings from an investigation into job-search practices among different sub-groups of job seekers, with particular reference to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) claimants and on the use of the internet for job search. The study involved a literature review of key aspects of job search and descriptive and multivariate analyses of Labour Force Survey (LFS) data on job search. The role of the internet in job search has increased significantly in recent years and in 2009, around four in five job seekers were making use of the internet in job search. People find jobs in many different ways, including through social networks and there is no single optimal method of job search. Personal advisers in jobcentres play an important role in enhancing job seekers' job-search skills.
Published abstract. Show less

Authors: Green, Anne E.; Hoyos, Maria de; Li, Yuxin; Owen, David

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Great Britain; Europe

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Department for Work and Pensions research report

Subjects: Employment; Skills and knowledge; Technology ... [+] Show more