PÓRTICO UNIÓN TIPO CORONA

Identifying impacts of ESF specifically on the low skilled actively seeking work has been a challenge - partly because data from beneficiary and participant surveys do not tend to disaggregate data down to skills levels and secondly because this group are often seen as a sub-group of other groups (i.e. young low skilled, old low skilled, males/ females who have low skills or educational attainment). Nevertheless, this sub section provides evidence about the impact of ESF on the low skilled drawn from the research where it is specific to the low skilled target group that are actively seeking work.

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Eind-evaluatie Jeugdcorporaties 2004

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Table 4.2 summarises the main impacts of ESF on the low skilled drawing from the detail set out in the case study reports.

Table 4.2 Key impacts in the case study countries - low skilled workers

Key impact

Austria A key impact of ESF on the low skilled in Austria has been around supporting the group to gain relevant and strong work experience in sectors that either of interest to them or are deemed as being high growth (it was noted that these were often not always the same sectors). An evaluation of the Viennese Employment Promotion Fund project promotes the integration of social welfare recipients and PES customers into the labour market with the strap line Learn- Experience- Work. An evaluation shows that in 2007-08, of the 77 people who took part in a social enterprise project called h/k/e, almost four out of five had a maximum ISCED level 2, and more than half had insignificant employment experience, among whom 47% went onto other measures, and two found employment. Of 125 people taking part in an employment project called TRAIN, 57% were low skilled and the training and work experience placement in the 'first' or 'second' labour market resulted in a job for 18% of project clients. Meanwhile of 125 participants in a work experience, coaching and further education project called JE_TZT, 57% were low skilled, and 49% who spent at least a month with the project found a job in the 'first labour market'. Specific impacts include improved motivation, confidence and engagement and readiness to learn and apply for jobs. Qualitative evidence comes mainly from stakeholder interviews and project reports describing individual examples from the projects visited.

Italy In convergence regions 8.6% of low skilled participants indicate that they gained employment 12 months after taking part in ESF interventions and 4.7% took part in further education or learning. In competitiveness regions 55% low skilled participants entered employment and 12.8% entered education. The data above shows that competitiveness OPs are more successful in supporting low skilled to enter employment or education. It can be estimated that around 10,000 low skilled who took part in ESF interventions entered employment and around 2,500 entered education. Lithuania The largest impact of ESF on the low skilled was seen as giving them good quality

work experience that would provide them with knowledge and skills that would make them more employable. This experience was often temporary and within public sector 'partners' (a sector seen as growing in Lithuania).

The other key impact was in relation to giving the low skilled better vocational training which gave them the qualifications they needed to become more employable and to access higher paid jobs. There are no statistics on either of these two main impacts as data is not collected for this specific target group.

Netherlands Key impacts of the low skilled in the Netherlands has been around helping this group to develop both their basic skills and also skills specific to the sector in which they already work. Much of the skills development was around 'up-dating' their skills as opposed to developing completely new skills in completely new areas. Measured impacts on the low skilled in the Netherlands have been:

 96% of participants in training for qualification projects have remained in employment six months after completing the courses during the current programme

 Two-thirds of employees became more aware of the use of lifelong learning and indicated their willingness and interest to continue to participate in training

Key impact

 Half of the employers became more aware of the use of lifelong learning and confirmed they would continue to invest in the training of their employees

Poland As a high proportion of the low skilled were thought to be young then the main impacts from the young people target group are likely to be similar to those of the low skilled. Key impacts on the low skilled identified by stakeholders included the development of more robust and up to date skills sets – particularly those who have traditionally been in sectors that are either declining or a 'fast changing'. There has been some work to train the low skilled unemployed with the skills needed for higher growth sectors – although the impacts of this and the relative successes are not yet known. Finally, the low skilled in Poland have also seen benefits in relation to teaching the benefits of learning – promoting 'why' the low skilled need to develop their education and skills in order to keep up with Poland's economic base.

Spain The key impact of ESF in Spain on the low skilled has been in relation to 'modernising' their skills- particularly for those who currently or previously worked in sectors where low skill levels are an issue. There has been a particular push in relation to the agricultural sector where ESF has helped to support the low skilled (mainly young) who have previously worked in this sector but who could use their skills in similar sectors that are predicted to grow or which have higher wages (engineering, manufacturing etc). Helping the low skilled participants to update and renew their skills was therefore seen as a key impact and benefit of ESF.

Sweden The impacts of ESF on the low skilled in Sweden are harder to ascertain as this group has not been specifically targeted in this Member State. However, young people account for half of the low skilled participants in PA2 (Improving human capital) activities and the impacts on young people (mentioned above) largely reflect the impacts on the low skilled.

A key impact on this group therefore revolves around helping the low skilled to improve their skills that will be used to improve their employability and increase their chances of progression in the workplace. Strengthening their self esteem was also seen as a key impact on this group – particularly in relation to giving them the confidence to learn again- often after a long period of time away from any formal/ informal training.

United Kingdom

On the basis that a significant proportion of participants in both England and Gibraltar and the Scottish OP face barriers around low skill levels, the finding of the 2005 beneficiary survey is a helpful source to look at. For the England OP 84 per cent of participants felt that ESF had helped them to improve their work related skills. This same survey also demonstrates that the low skilled gained a range of skills – both job specific and more generic as a consequence of being supported by ESF.

On the grounds that ESF support delivered to those in work through Priorities 2 and 5 in the England OP was significantly targeted at those with below level 2 qualification levels, the finding of the wave 2 cohort survey is also a helpful source to use. In the current programme 69 per cent of Priority 2 participants and 68 per cent of Priority 5 participants gained a full qualification as part of engaging with ESF. A significant proportion of participants also stated that their job security had increased as a consequence of being supported by ESF.