National Transition Training Fund (NTTF): year 1 report

Strand 1 – Individual Support

Strand 1 of NTTF was delivered by SDS. The Scottish Government announced up to £11 million of SDS support to provide support and training for individuals who were recently unemployed or at risk of redundancy as a result of the pandemic.^[4] However, unemployment did not reach its predicted levels, largely due to the extension of the UK Government's CJRS.

Lower levels of unemployment experienced during the pandemic resulted in less than anticipated uptake of NTTF places. Overall, Strand 1 supported 1,206 individuals in training through October 2020 to June 2021. While Strand 1 did not reach its projected target, feedback from participants indicated that it provided essential support to those who were supported to help them retain their jobs or enter employment.

Across Strand 1, 317 different types of training were recorded for the programme. The highest proportions of starts were in Fife (219 starts, 18%), Highland (117 starts, 10%), Edinburgh (95 starts, 8%), North Lanarkshire (84 starts, 7%), and Aberdeen City (80 starts, 7%).

The training on offer covered a wide range of subjects and skillsets, aiming to provide participants with a strong footing for employment opportunities across a variety of sectors. One of the most popular courses was the Civil Service Sector Based Work Academy. Other sectors supported through the training courses offered include the oil and gas, engineering, renewable energy, and construction sectors.

Survey Data

Survey data^[5] on Strand 1 collected by SDS throughout 2021 revealed a high satisfaction rate with different aspects of the NTTF training, namely the quality of training provided, the extent to which the training met individuals' expectations, and the level of information provided to participants prior to the training. Overall, 89% of respondents noted a high level of satisfaction with the NTTF training across these aspects.^[6]

In terms of the skills impact of the training, the survey data indicated that 80% of respondents felt that their work-related skills had improved^[7], 77% reported feeling more confident in their abilities^[8], and 83% of respondents felt the training had improved their long-term career prospects.^[9]

The survey found that the NTTF-funded training had a positive impact on the employment status of participants. After completing the training, the proportion of respondents who were unemployed dropped from 85% (prior to the training) to 44% (at the time of the survey). Among respondents surveyed 8 to 11 weeks after completing the training, 70% had found work.

The survey data reveals that a high proportion of respondents worked in the oil and gas extraction industry prior to completing the training (approximately 33% of respondents). Other sectors that were represented include manufacturing (9%), construction (8%), transportation and storage (8%), and electricity, gas and power (6%).

The survey also recorded the overall characteristics of programme participants. In terms of gender, there was a broadly representative sample, with one in five respondents identifying as female, almost the same as across the programme. However, the rate of responses from those identifying as disabled is less than half of the programme rate at 4.1%. However, there are slightly higher levels of response among BME groups (4.1%) and those who have experienced care (2.1%) compared with the programme levels.

Participant Feedback

Participants were asked what they valued most about the training. The responses fell broadly into the following three categories: practical and vocational skills, employability skills, and improved confidence.

'Everything from start to finish was exemplary - everyone I spoke to at SDS was friendly, very helpful and supportive. The instructors and wider team at (Training provider name) put on a brilliant course that was informative and approachable and gave me confidence to start this next chapter in my life. I’m really grateful for the whole experience, it really changed my life!'

'Gave me encouragement and confidence to continue when I felt I was out of my depth and perhaps ready to quit.'

'Looking to start a career in a new sector within banking and this gave me a great foundation of knowledge to display in interview and excel in the job.'

'Insight to the renewables industry and the minimum safety standards.'

'Increased confidence from interacting with people in a work environment again. I had been furloughed since March and eventually made redundant.'