An evaluation of Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Routes to the Sumit Project

Total
Gwerthusiad o gynllun Llwybrau i’r Brig Urdd Gobaith Cymry | Mawrth 2013
The number of NEET participants is 54% less than the target and the number of participants who
proceeded to further education is 93% less that anticipated. As is noted later in the report, this is a
reflection of the project’s ability to target NEETs (mainly due to its structure) and the fact that it was
not really designed to do that. The fact that the number proceeding to higher education is low also
reflects the age group that the project worked with. The scheme was never likely to achieve a high
number against this target. We must ask therefore how appropriate this was as a target/means of
monitoring for the scheme.
The target data for the percentage of participants who have gained a qualification shows an
overachievement and this is because more that expected gained qualifications in basic skills.
However, less than expected have gained a higher qualification (Level 2). Again, this suggests that the
emphasis within the scheme is different to that which was monitored. As is noted later in the report,
this is partly because the scheme has concentrated on responding to needs within the different
regions taking part. 80% of the target for achieving ‘other positive outome’ has been achieved.
It should also be noted that the scheme had been affected by uncertainty following a mid-term report
of the main project (i.e. Reaching the Heights). At this time, the Welsh Government did not confirm
that the project would continue into the second phase until April 2011, which was 4 months later than
expected. This obviously created uncertainty concerning the further planning and development of the
scheme. Moreover, the senior staff of the scheme believes that this has had an effect on the scheme’s
ability to achieve its targets.
3.4 Further analysis of information in participants’ database
3.4.1 Number of participants
4,077 participants were recorded within the database provided to the evaluation team in February
2013. This is less than the total noted above because participants’ details were still being fed into the
database when the analysis was completed.
Figure 3.1: Total participants taken up each quarter
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
-50
404
356
371 378
337 335
299 307
273
240 269 265
183
60
0 0
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16
Quarter
Total = 4,077
As the graph above shows, the amount of participants taken up in each quarter varies from quarter to
quarter with the greatest amount claimed in the most recent quarter within the database (404). This is
of course a reflection on the progress made during the scheme; the trend line in the graph reflects the
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