Evaluation of Activity and Learning Agreement pilots

31 January 2008

Two new working papers have been published, based on research among 16 and 17 year olds conducted for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) by IES.

The papers are based on qualitative research with young people aged 16 and 17 and were produced as part of a wider evaluation of Activity and Learning Agreement pilots. These pilots were launched in 12 areas of England in April 2006. Activity Agreements are designed for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET); participants take part in activities designed to help them progress towards employment or education. Learning Agreements are aimed at young people in jobs without training (JWT); participants take part in agreed activities, which must include a designated course. Both these groups of young people will be directly affected by the government’s plan to extend the education and training leaving age to 18 by 2013.

The first working paper – Incentivising Participation in Activity Agreements – examines whether and how a weekly financial payment incentivises long-term NEET young people to sign up to an Activity Agreement. The study explores the role of the financial payment (£20 per week in the areas covered by the research) and its importance in their decision to participate, relative to other elements of the Activity Agreement and to other sources of income, which might be relinquished or reduced as a result of taking part.

The second – Signing Up to a Learning Agreement – focuses on young people in jobs without accredited training and examines their reasons for deciding to start a Learning Agreement or not, in particular the role of one-to-one advice and support in their decision to sign up.

A report – Evaluation of the Activity and Learning Agreement Pilot: Process Evaluation: Year One Report – is also available that uses case studies to explore the operational issues and the implementation chain, identifying problems and good practice.

Further information

For further press information about Activity Agreements, please contact Claire Johnson or Becci Newton.

For Learning Agreements, please contact Claire Johnson.

The reports:

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