News

Interim Evaluation of Reach the Heights

Wavehill and BMG Research are currently undertaking the interim evaluation of 'Reach the Heights'; the Welsh Assembly Government's £49 million initiative to reduce the number of young people in Wales who, at the ages of 11-19, are not in education, employment or training, or are at risk of not being so. The project is part financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and is part of the Convergence Programme for West Wales and the Valleys. The evaluation will form the basis of WEFO's mid-project review, which will determine whether our funding is to continue for a further three years.

Evaluation of Swansea Rural Business Plan 1 2008-2011

The Rural Development Plan (RDP) is one of the main European Programmes operational in Wales between 2007 - 2013 and is delivered via a number of local partnerships, one of which covers the rural areas of Swansea. Wavehill have been commissioned to undertake the ongoing evaluation of projects that are being delivered as part of the local RDP strategy in Swansea including activities in the tourism and agri-food sectors as well as support for the area’s young people.

Skills for Logistics - Employer Survey

Wavehill was commissioned to undertake a business survey of 4,500 logistics employers across the UK, in order to determine the training and staff development arrangements across the spectrum of transport companies, warehouses, logistics hubs, ports, cargo docks, freight companies and many others.

The survey was used to identify key drivers and barriers to the take-up of training, and to explore the relationship between economic conditions, statutory training, discretionary training, and if training delivers efficiency and profitability gains.

The method used analysed trends by UK nation and Government RDA region and included significant support with weighting and data analysis for the Skills For Logistics team.

The Evaluation of Pembrokeshire Fish Week

Wavehill worked with Pembrokeshire County Council to complete an evaluation of the 2010 annual Pembrokeshire Fish Week festival which aims to attract tourism to the area in the shoulder season period at the end of June. The evaluation included a survey of 584 visitors to the festival as well as over 100 local businesses and other organisations who participated in the festival.

Monitoring and Evaluating Individuals Started Trading

In February 2010, the Welsh Assembly Government commissioned Wavehill to undertake a survey of individuals who accessed their Non-growth Pre Start Service (the Service) between January 2009 and February 2010. Those surveyed were individuals who had booked to attend pre-start surgeries, taster sessions or modular workshops. In total, 6,459 interviews were undertaken from a database of 8,453 contacts; a response rate of 76%.

Study into Supporting Festivals, Events and the Cultural Industries in Powys

Wavehill undertook an extensive research, data collection and strategic analysis into the creative, cultural, festivals and events industries in Powys on behalf of Glasu. The principal aims of this research among many others were to establish a fully comprehensive database of enterprises operating within both the creative, cultural, festivals and events industries in Powys. Map the creative (and cultural) industries and event organisers in the Powys area and develop a needs analysis of both industries.

Development of a Baseline for Regeneration Activities in the Severn Valley and Blaenau Ffestiniog Areas

The Welsh Assembly Government has appointed Wavehill to develop comprehensive baselines for the Severn Valley and Blaenau Ffestiniog areas, focusing on community perceptions of the two areas. This will enable Welsh Assembly to develop a clear picture of community perceptions at the present time, before key public-facing projects detailed within the Severn Valley Strategic Regeneration Plan and Blaenau Ffestiniog Strategic Regeneration Plan are delivered. The intention will be to revisit these baselines in future years, undertaking additional survey work to assess how perceptions have changed over time as a result of the Regeneration process.

Review of Equality & Diversity Support

Welsh Assembly Government has commissioned Wavehill and BMG Research to complete a review of the Equality & Diversity (E&D) support offered to Welsh SMEs as part of the Flexible Support for Business (FS4B) service. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of 2.5 days of Equality & Diversity support and to establish if the shift from 4.5 days to 2.5 days of support is meeting the needs of Welsh SMEs.