Connecting Scotland phase 3 - digital support for employability: evaluation

Executive Summary

Connecting Scotland is a digital inclusion programme which was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Periods of national lockdown meant that physical contact and access to services were limited; people without adequate digital connectivity were particularly at risk of isolation as they lacked alternative forms of interaction.

Connecting Scotland provided digital devices and internet connectivity, along with access to digital skills support, to people who were digitally excluded and on low incomes. This service was rolled out in three distinct phases. Phase 1 focused on those most vulnerable to the effects of lockdown; mainly older people, disabled people and those advised to shield during the pandemic. Phase 2 extended the offer of connectivity to families with dependent children, along with additional provision for young care leavers.

This evaluation report focuses on the third phase of the programme which had a specific focus on employability and aimed to help people secure work, or access activities that would improve their employment prospects, such as working towards a qualification.

Evaluation aims

Through research with people receiving support in phase 3 of the programme, we sought to understand the impact that access to digital support had on people's employment prospects. The research aimed to find out about people's experience of using the technology provided by Connecting Scotland and the types of activities being undertaken in support of employment goals.

The evaluation also sought to better understand the barriers that people faced, both to employment and to digital access, and the extent to which participation in the programme helped in reducing these barriers.

The research aimed to capture people's experiences over time by surveying users shortly after their initial engagement with the programme (the 'welcome survey'), and again after nine to twelve months of participation (the 'experience and impact survey'). Alongside surveys, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of users to gain additional insight into people's experiences, thoughts and opinions.

Findings

Barriers to digital access

Most phase 3 users had some experience of going online and using digital technology and many described themselves as confident in their overall digital abilities. The chief barrier to full digital participation experienced by users in this cohort was lacking access to appropriate and functional devices and/or not having consistent internet connectivity. This was mainly owing to issues of affordability, with 57% of survey respondents saying that the cost of devices prevented or limited their use of the internet, and 42% reporting that paying for data was too expensive.

Many people taking part in the research reported using old, outdated equipment that was slow or faulty and more than half had been using smartphones to undertake online activities, with no alternative device.

Other barriers to online use included having to travel to a public building (i.e. a library), having to use the internet in someone else's home, or only having access to one device which was shared between multiple household members.

A range of evidence gathered through the research illustrates how limitations on digital use affect people's ability to progress in employment. For example, using only a smartphone for online access makes it difficult to undertake some employment related activities, such as editing and saving a CV, completing online applications, or attending an online interview. People who had been using library computers explained how job searching was hampered by having only an alloted time-slot in which to work. Other people who weren't directly seeking work but were working towards qualifications reported the difficulties of having to rely on outdated devices when trying to complete assignments.

Impact on Employability

The evidence indicates that participation in Connecting Scotland has had a positive effect on people's employment prospects. More users responding to the final (impact) survey reported being in work and fewer people said they were still looking for work, when compared to the initial (welcome) survey. Of those who had found employment – the majority (94%) said that having a device from Connecting Scotland had been either essential, or helpful in attaining a job. Furthermore, 72% of respondents still looking for work reported that their chances of getting a job were a little, or a lot, better since participation in the programme.

The greatest impact of the programme appears to have been for those people who felt ready for work but needed support finding opportunities and making applications. Several people highlighted how their Connecting Scotand device had enabled them to edit and upload CVs and make online applications and there was a decrease in the proportion of people reporting that they were ready for a job but needed to find opportunities and work on applications.

However, for some people, barriers to employment seem to be entrenched. A number of people reported that their personal circumstances made it difficult for them to find suitable work, with mental health issues being particularly prominent. For these participants, it appears that digital support, alone, is not sufficient to secure employment, but should be offered as part of a more holistic, person centred approach to support.

Issues with childcare and transport were also identified as more intractable barriers to employment, suggesting that more systemic changes to services would be beneficial to helping people find work that is accessible and fits around other commitments.