New Deal evaluation reports released

The Department for Employment and Learning has published the first stage of a major independent survey of 1560 New Deal participants that reveals a generally positive view of the scheme.

The research focused on the New Deal for 18-24 Year Olds and the New Deal Pilot for 25+ was undertaken by KPMG in conjunction with Economic Research and Evaluation, and Research and Evaluation Services.

The 1560 participants were interviewed during February to March 2000 as the first stage of the survey, 950 from the New Deal for 18-24 Year Olds and 610 from the New Deal Pilot for 25+. This stage was designed to provide baseline information on the key characteristics of participants and their experience to date of the delivery and implementation of New Deal. The second stage of the fieldwork examined the post New Deal experiences of the participants and will aim to identify the difference that New Deal has made to their labour market position and prospects, particularly the impact on obtaining and remaining in employment. The results of the second stage of the fieldwork are currently undergoing analysis and are due to be published early in 2002.

The key findings indicate that perceptions of the programme are positive and there is evidence that participants consider New Deal to have had a beneficial effect on their prospects of getting a job. Where weaknesses have been identified the results of the evaluations have already been used by the Department to improve its delivery.

The New Deal for 18-24 year olds was introduced in Northern Ireland on 6 April 1998. The scheme’s primary aim is to help the young adult unemployed find sustained employment through a series of initiatives designed to increase their employability and equip them with the relevant skills for the labour market.

Up to the end of June 2001 a total of 23604 people had completed their participation on the New Deal for 18-24 year olds of these 9585 had subsequently gained unsubsidised employment. (SP)