Individual Training Accounts: evaluation

Conclusions

Introduction

This chapter sets out our conclusions about the programme. It is structures around the key question areas included in the Invitation and Tender.

Overview

Overall, the evaluation findings from the ITA programme evaluation are positive. The evidence shows that the programme is working well, with most participants and providers reporting satisfaction with the delivery experience and outcomes gained.

Programme focus

• The programme changes made appear to have had the desired effect, i.e. most participants are motivated to use their ITAs to gain jobs, improving their employability and skillsets. This aligns to the policy intention behind the changes in the transition from the ILA programme to the current ITA model.
• The scale of the programme has not changed in response to economic or labour market changes. The £200 cap remains in place and is the main factor which restricts people's course choice.

Programme participants

• Since 2017/18 to February 2022 there were a total of 164,280 ITA applications, which resulted in 78,734 ITA courses booked and 59,778 ITA claims made. Numbers of applications and ITAs used peaked in 2018/19, and prior to Covid-19 were beginning to fall.
• Younger people are more likely to use ITAs, with a third aged 26 – 34, and a further 25% aged 16-24. Younger people are also more likely to use ITAs while out of work, whereas older participants and more likely to be in work.
• Men are more likely than women to use ITAs, and were even more likely to do this during the pandemic (2020/21). Men are more likely to use ITAs while out of work, whereas women using ITAs are more likely to be in work.
• Since 2017/18 Construction has accounted for the highest level of ITA usage, and this has been particularly driven by high numbers of people out of work using ITAs. Over the same period (except 2020/21), Fitness, Health and Beauty accounted for the second highest level of ITAs and users on these courses were more likely to their training while in work and more likely to be aged 26 – 35.
• ITA users from other minority ethnic groups are increasing, and these participants are more likely to be in-work. ITA users identifying as ethnically Asian or Asian British were more likely to train in Transport.
• A small number of participants disclose a disability and this has remained consistent since the start of the programme.
• Most participants (90%) have used the ITA programme once suggesting there is little use of the programme to continue to progress learning.
• Most ITA users do not top up their course cost above the £200 funding limit, yet the percentage of those choosing to top up has been increasing since 2017/18.

Programme operations

• People found out about the ITA programme from a range of promotional sources, rather than one main source. The top most commonly reported were: Jobcentre Plus work coaches; training providers; SDS; and friends, family or colleagues.
• Programme participants appreciated the simplicity and speed of the application process and arranging training, and reported short waiting times for training courses. Most respondents (90%) rated their experience as either 'very' (63%) or 'quite' (27%) good.
• Training providers had similarly positive experiences when processing applications and checking eligibility. They reported the SDS customer service team were very responsive and appreciated the monthly provider calls to discuss issues. The payment process was reported to be efficient and providers were quickly remunerated for all ITA participants who completed their training.
• Training providers and jobcentres are providing support to people who want to apply for an ITA who may need additional support e.g. due to low digital skills or difficulties providing the documents required.
• Training providers who deliver training face to face reported challenges with participants booking and not attending training, meaning the provider incurred costs without being able to claim the training fee. The scale of this issue across the programme is not known.

Programme impact

• Most people reported that they would not have done the training without an ITA (83% of people surveyed). This suggests a high level of additionality from the programme.
• ITA funding influences people's course choice, with 71% of people more likely to choose courses which are eligible for ITA funding. However, this occurs in large part because ITA funding also restricts people's course choice, with almost half of people more likely to choose courses which do not exceed the £200 limit.
• Training providers recognised this restriction and had not raised course costs above £200 to ensure price was not a barrier to participation, despite rising delivery costs.
• More funding would have influenced people's course choice, with half of ITA participants reporting they would have chosen a different course if more funding had been available.
• ITAs support people to find new jobs whether they are in work or out of work. Over half (61%) of those unemployed before applying for their ITA were in work after training. Linked to this, almost as many people who were unemployed thought that the job they had gained suited their skillset (58%). This suggests that the type of training was linked and related to their job outcome.
• ITA participants who were already in work were more likely to report that their ITA had helped them find a job that suited their skillset, than other outcomes. That said, the difference was quite small with around half saying they found a job that better suited their skills or interests, compared to 45% who said that it helped them find a new job.
• ITAs helped participants pursue their interests and improve their skills (78% agreed with this statement). This outcome was particularly important for people who felt their current work was precarious and felt they needed skills in multiple sectors/areas to withstand the pressures of a volatile job market.
• ITAs support people to access training which improves their confidence and self-esteem. Accessing funded training was particularly appreciated by people who had previously been made redundant or had work limiting health issues and lacked confidence to re-engage in the labour market. Through their training experience participants reported increased confidence and self-esteem.