CIoS Skills Hub Summative and Final Evaluations
Report Date: Summative (June 2020) Final (July 2023)
Programme Value: £1.6m
Evaluation Value: £27k / £25k
On the 16 December 2019, TIP responded to an ITT posted on the Contracts Finder website for the ESF Evaluation of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub, and then 18 months later. The scope of the evaluation included reviewing performance against targets, user perception and involvement, quality of outcomes, the effectiveness of the Innovation Challenge Fund, delivery partner performance, Cross Cutting Themes and lessons learned.
The evaluation included:
A detailed analysis of the context and UK and regional programmes
Interviews with 15 regional stakeholders, four major training providers and a beneficiary survey returning 99 responses from beneficiaries, and 11 by way of a counterfactual
Set up an online conference call with Skills Hubs from four other regions leading to ongoing collaborations
Delivered three multimedia contextual case studies
Produced and presented the Evaluation Report
Planned to deliver a ‘100-Day Review’ of the implementation of recommendations
All three optional work packages prepared by TIP were selected and delivered
Evaluation Methodology Employed:
Address 28 key questions – 18 prepared by CDC and 10 proposed by the Consultants – to deliver added value within the budget (time/cost)
Research the added and consequential benefits for beneficiaries
Introduce a methodology to enhance and mainstream CCT beneficiary performance
Deep dive into the resulting outputs and outcomes of beneficiary businesses
Recommendations for the repositioning of the Innovation Fund
Suggestions and recommendations to enhance staff involvement
Added Value Delivered by the Consultants:
Practical case studies and examples from other UK regions, leading to collaborations, improvements in CCT delivery and a refocus due to COVID-19.
Suggestions to widen the significance and reach of the initiative, including marketing approaches. Evidence helped to secure follow-on funding for CIoS Skills Hub, and TIP won the next evaluation via a competitive tendering process.
Josh Hoole, CIoS Skills Hub Manager, commented on the performance of TIP as: “Effective, responsive and knowledgeable. TIP delivered a robust CIoS Skills Hub Evaluation and offered multiple added value beyond the original scope.”