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In a report for WorkingRite, Pro Bono Economics has advised the employment charity to carry out data collection with its mentored work programme participants six months to a year post completion, to demonstrate if it results in sustained outcomes.

Data from WorkingRite shows that 74% of the young people engaged in its programmes in 2017/18 completed their courses; of these completions, 80% went on to achieve a successful outcome, such as obtaining a job, apprenticeship or purposeful learning.

This constitutes intermediate outcome data; the Pro Bono Economics report advises on the data collection processes, as well as baseline and destination data, required to demonstrate any long-term impacts.

In terms of baseline data, the report recommends the same metrics be used across different programmes, and that minimum requirements set as mandatory within the system. Follow up data is deemed essential to measure the longer-term impact of WorkingRite’s support; it is therefore suggested that minimum requirements are again set as mandatory and aligned with baseline data recommendations. Follow up data should look at information such as employment and benefit status, and should be collected at 6, 12 and 24 month intervals where possible.

WorkingRite is a charity based in Edinburgh that supports disadvantaged young people into sustained employment, apprenticeships or purposeful learning. The charity does this by individually matching young people with local businesses to carry out mentored work placements. Over 2017/18 WorkingRite supported over 200 young people across nine Local Authority areas in Scotland, with trainees working with their employer for up to sixth months. During this time, trainees receive a weekly allowance and travel expenses, as well as ongoing support from their work mentor and WorkingRite’s project co-ordinator.

The charity is already collecting data on immediate outcomes but approached Pro Bono Economics for support in measuring the wider economic impacts of its work. Pro Bono Economics volunteer Fiona Thom, from the Department for Work and Pensions, worked with the charity to advise on data collection processes. Although the recommendations contained in this report are specific to WorkingRite, it could be advantageous for many organisations looking to measure long-term impacts to also review them .

Pro Bono Economics would like to thank Fiona for all her work on this report, which is available to download by clicking the link below and completing the survey.

18th March 2019