Learning, Skills and Worklessness Case Study 1

Evaluation of the Employer Training Pilot

The Train 2 Gain programme was pilot tested under the name Valuable Skills. Wavehill was invited to assess and evaluate this programme and make recommendations towards the national programme.

The pilot projects aimed to provide training to a first level 2 qualification or a Skills for Life, Literacy and Numeracy qualification. The Pilots included a combination of paid time off work to train, wage compensation for employers, free or subsidised training, and information advice and guidance. The Valuable Skills Pilot offers these elements within a process supported by a business advice and brokerage system to introduce local firms to the opportunities available under ETP.

The importance of evaluating pilot projects is to identify if the concept works, if the delivery model works, and if the pilot became scaled up would there be a positive cost/benefit contribution. In this case we identified a clear step up in training and skills take up amongst employees and a reduction in the barriers to train from employers, and so the model for scale up was clear and justified.

Client: Derbyshire, Nottingham & Leicester LSCs