Evaluation of Tayside Collaboration Project

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Evaluation of Tayside Collaboration Project

• Stephanie Tindal
• Managing Director
• Indigo Project Solutions Ltd.
• www.indigops.com

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Background to Indigo Involvement

• Indigo involved in reviewing project activity
  during phase 1 which was submitted to SFC
• Commissioned to undertake robust analysis of the
  progress and impact of the project
• Evaluation process used as a tool to inform the
  partners throughout project implementation adding
  significant value in the development and
  implementation of the project

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Our Evaluation Process

• Identify the impact of project activity
• Provide advice and support to improve project
  performance
• Promote the exchange of good practice
• Identify the value added benefits
• Review the lasting legacy
• Advise on project sustainability
• Satisfy accountability for funders

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Evaluation Activities

• Attendance at project steering group meetings
• Attendance at events
• Attendance at training
• Surveys
• Focus Groups
• Staff interviews

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Project Context

• Employment, Employability and Employee Skills A
  Model for Tayside funded through the Strategic
  Development Fund
• Partnership between Angus, Dundee and Perth
  Colleges, local/national partners and local
  employers

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Project Aim

• Creation of a Tayside wide sustainable education
  and training infrastructure in tourism,
  hospitality and catering
• Increase the employability of the existing and
  future workforce for the tourism, hospitality and
  catering sector

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Evaluating Project Against Aims

• Effectiveness of the colleges collaboration in
• Improving working relationships and practices
  with employers within the tourism, hospitality
  and catering industry
• Achieved
• Employer engagement identifiable and higher than
  expected
• Input through employer forum and skills
  committees
• Positive feedback from employers

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Evaluating Project Against Aims

• Effectiveness of the colleges collaboration in
• Improving the working practices of the colleges
  in relation to the appropriateness, flexibility,
  quality and effectiveness of training provision
• Achieved
• New and improved curriculum
• Joint marketing and branding
• Flexible training delivery
• Increased short courses
• Training evaluated and changed where appropriate

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Evaluating Project Against Aims

• Effectiveness of the colleges collaboration in
• Establishing a recognised Tayside Tourism
  Development Centre as a provider of education,
  training and employment solutions
• Achieved - All centres operational

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Tayside Tourism Development Centres

• To act as the influential driver to provide
  education, training and employment solutions as a
  national model of good practice
• A one stop shop training provision for
  industry education anyone looking to return to
  work and individuals future personal development
  has been put in place by the creation of Perths
  TTDC
• Paul Shields Director of Symphony Hotels

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Stakeholders Involved

• Employers
• Students
• Scottish Enterprise,
• VisitScotland,
• Springboard Scotland,
• Pride and Passion
• Regional groups e.g. Angus and Dundee Hoteliers
  Association and Pitlochry Food circle

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Four Drivers for Change

• Encouraging employer involvement
• Innovative delivery
• Innovative curriculum
• Collaboration and joint branding

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Project Targets

• 1) Promotion and awareness raising 40 of
  sector aware of development.
• 2 random surveys completed - 272 organisations
  contacted
• 23 of sector aware of initiative
• Certain sub groups higher including
• Restaurants 33
• Visitor attractions 29
• Hotels 26

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Project Targets

• 2)Tayside Tourism, Hospitality and Catering Forum
  established
• Forum successfully set up and adding value
• Members include People 1st, Scottish Enterprise
  Tayside, Springboard Scotland and VisitScotland
• Providing strategic advice and guidance to
  project
• Provide key stakeholder involvement

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Skills Committees

• Aim to encourage employer engagement
• Set up to promote the opportunities within the
  tourism and hospitality sector
• Advise and inform business of initiatives
  available for staff training business
  development
• Seek feedback from businesses on key initiatives
  for the sector
• Flexible approach taken suits employers

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Project Targets

• 3) Employers commitment to and involvement with
  the development
• Quantitative 40 active employers involved
• Result over 255 active employers involved
• Qualitative survey with sector
• Result high levels of satisfaction
• Range of positive comments

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Project Targets

• 5) The establishment of an active Tayside Tourism
  Development Centre in each College
• Result - Centres active and formally launched
• Branded the same but identity of College
  complements
• Used for a range of activities
• Feedback positive

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Project Targets

• 6) Achievement of high levels of satisfaction
  with training
• Trainees/students 85
• Result - 83 satisfied
• Employers 80
• Result - 89

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Project Targets

• 6) Achievement of high levels of satisfaction
  with training
• College staff 90
• Result - 50 highly satisfied
• 50 satisfied
• 100 improved delivery
• for students

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Project Targets

• 7) Evidence of new models of curriculum delivery
  being applied
• Curriculum conferences
• New curriculum created WSET, HACCP, Masters
  Programme Interpretation Management
• New models of delivery classroom in workplace
• Master classes
• Change in culture towards short courses
• Employer driven curriculum created and delivered

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Project Targets

• 8) Transferability of Model
• Two new economic sectors involved
• Result achieved Engineering and Care
• Also number of other sectors being considered by
  colleges attending dissemination event
• Model developed and actively disseminated
• Dissemination event
• Attendance by partners at events
• Production of dissemination materials
• promoting potential for national adoption

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Dissemination Event

• Innovative event
• Attended by 18 representatives from 8 colleges
  from across Scotland
• Showcased the project in action
• Highlighted lessons learnt and exchanged best
  practice
• Feedback positive - average score given 9/10

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Sustainability

• Model to be replicated in other sectors
• Skills committees and forums should be maintained
• Research could complement findings
• Demand identified
• Employers willing to pay for some courses
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Access other funds Lottery, ESF etc.

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Additional Achievements

• Increased staff morale
• Improved external perception
• Improved co-operation between colleges
• Development of complementary projects e.g. Good
  Food Circle ESF project
• Increased press and marketing coverage
• Better understanding of the needs of employers in
  relation to training
• Better employer information

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Key Lessons Learnt

• Collaboration can reap significant rewards
• To successfully engage with employers you must
  listen and be flexible
• Development of employability skills crucial
• Cultural Change - short courses are preferable to
  majority

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Key Lessons Learnt

• Possible to jointly brand whilst maintaining own
  identity increased exposure
• Need commitment from Principal level for project
  to be effective
• Projects need to be sustainable
• Effective dissemination is key to transfer best
  practice
• Evaluation can be used as a project management
  tool

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• Indigo Project Solutions
• 13 Kirk Loan
• Edinburgh
• EH12 7HD
• Tel [phone]
• stephanie_at_indigops.com
• www.indigops.com