Evaluation of Jobs Growth Wales+

The Welsh Government wishes to procure a formative evaluation of Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+), the Welsh Government’s new youth employability programme, which will be launched in April 2022.

The aim of the contract is to provide Welsh Government with timely, robust information on the process and take up of the JGW+ programme in years 1 and 2, which will enable Welsh Government to make decisions regarding the programme, as well as a framework for the impact evaluation, to be commissioned under a later contract.

The focus of this evaluation will be on the delivery, performance and outcomes of the programme, with a review of data to establish a framework for impact evaluation. The findings and lessons learned from this evaluation will be used to inform future policy development.

The objectives of the evaluation are listed below. The list is not exhaustive and it is envisaged that further research questions may be identified in the scoping phase of the evaluation work.

To review the design, management, and implementation of the programme, highlighting areas of good practice and areas for further development and to assess its suitability in supporting the achievement of the programme aims and objectives. This will include understanding any regional differences in delivery, success factors, and unexpected consequences, and the contribution of the programme to the Welsh language objectives of the Welsh Government.

To identify key strengths of the programme and any constraints/issues that may have impeded its effectiveness, provide recommendations and lessons learnt.

To review whether and how well the programme supports the delivery of key Welsh Government priorities, including the Employability Plan, the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, the Youth Engagement Progression Framework (YEPF), the Young Person’s Guarantee, and Cymraeg 2050, the Welsh language strategy.

To assess the performance of JGW+ against its stated aims and objectives for the period under review (2022 – 2024), including a review of the obstacles that participants and providers have faced, whether and how these have been overcome. Additionally, including a review of engagement and participation to understand who are and who are not engaging with the programme.

To assess the take up of the programme, including by protected characteristics, to be reported yearly.

To build on the theory of change developed during the policy formation phase.

To establish a framework for the impact evaluation of the programme, which will be commissioned under a later contract.

To set up a research advice group, which will include young people whom the programme targets.

To report on final WEFO claims data. Additional information: The estimated value of the contract is between GBP 170,000 to 180,000 (excluding VAT) - GBP 204,000 to 216,000 (including VAT) for the purposes of the notice.