Working nation: evaluation of the employment, education and training elements

‘Working nation’ was introduced in May 1994 with the objectives of reducing unemployment and fostering sustainable economic growth. It included a set of policies aimed at industry and regional development, the reform of labour market assistance, and the development of a more skilled and flexible labour force. This report is an interim evaluation, giving information on the implementation of the initiatives and some early measures of effectiveness. Insufficient time has elapsed to assess the longer term impacts of the initiatives, which were to be the focus of a further report in two years...  [+] Show more

‘Working nation’ was introduced in May 1994 with the objectives of reducing unemployment and fostering sustainable economic growth. It included a set of policies aimed at industry and regional development, the reform of labour market assistance, and the development of a more skilled and flexible labour force. This report is an interim evaluation, giving information on the implementation of the initiatives and some early measures of effectiveness. Insufficient time has elapsed to assess the longer term impacts of the initiatives, which were to be the focus of a further report in two years. However, work is continuing outside the evaluation to measure those impacts. That work will use the results of a longitudinal survey of jobseekers and a working age reference group. First results are expected in late 1996.

The main findings of this current evaluation were that it is necessary to be realistic about what can be achieved through active, labour market policies. This applies both to the setting of targets and to the way in which targets interact with broader policy objectives. Areas covered include: early intervention strategies; case management; the Job Compact; the Youth Training Initiative (YTI); entry-level training initiatives; employer servicing; assistance to different client groups, such as the long-term unemployed; and indicators of effectiveness.