Welfare Reform Team Evaluation of European Social Fund pilot project 2014-2015

General comments on the above feedback
Clearly the feedback is very positive in relation to the event location, timing and
convenience. That level of agreement reduces slightly in relation to the appropriateness of
the advice/information/help provided but reduces significantly when it comes to the
question did the event meet attendees individual needs.
Overall in terms of execution and attendance the event can be seen as a success, but given
the relatively modest levels of satisfaction in terms of meeting individual need there is
clearly room for improvement. Obviously the main aim of the event was to help people into
employment and if their needs in that respect aren’t being met then this aspect needs to be
discussed in some depth before the next event.
Listed at appendix three are the comments written by attendees on their feedback sheets
which may throw some light on why needs weren’t met in some cases. A rough thematic
analysis of those comments coupled with verbal feedback on the day would suggest the
main failings were;
• Employers didn’t engage enough
• There were very few basic administration roles on offer
• A high proportion of the jobs required some degree of specific qualification or recent
relevant experience.
• Lack of obvious or previously provided information about jobs/employers
• Long queues and lack of seating may have resulted in people not being overly
positive when they then met employers
The job/employer related aspects above show a mismatch between what employers had on
offer and how they presented it, and the skills, experience and confidence of many of the
clients who attended.
This mismatch is however a gap that could be bridged over time if more extended
introductions were made to employers with, and on behalf of clients and if employers were
helped to be more flexible in terms of their recruitment criteria. This mismatch of people
and jobs was also illustrated by some of the employers both verbally and on their feedback
forms.
Verbal feedback on the day, having spoken to other staff in attendance, would also suggest
that rather than coaching attendees at workshops before the event it may in future be
worth coaching employers as to how to effectively engage with the client group.
Certain employers didn’t create an air of approachability and with many of our client group
lacking confidence particularly in group situations barriers of this nature have to be broken
down. It was also felt that a more relaxed approach from the employers, i.e. dressing less
formally and perhaps standing in front of their tables not behind, might have helped put
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