Basic skills research findings

New research published by the Department for Work and Pensions interim findings from the evaluation of the basic skills national enhancements and the mandatory training pilots.

The National Enhancements to the basic skills process started in April 2004. They include use of the fast-track assessment to screen for basic skills, use of incentive payments to those attending basic skills provision and a bonus payment to those gaining a qualification.

The mandatory training pilot ran in 12 Jobcentre Plus districts from April 2004 to March 2005. The aim was to see if mandating customers to attend basic skills provision resulted in better course attendance and completion.

The main findings are:

National changes to the basic skills process have bedded in well and Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisers are confident about discussing mandatory training and sanctions with their customers.

The principle of mandatory training is being clearly communicated to customers and while most of them have a clear understanding of what this means others do not seem to have the same level of understanding. Some customers dislike the idea of being forced into training but understand the reasons underpinning it. Others are resistant to attending training and some may be referred several times.

Findings suggest that the threat and application of sanctions is instrumental in encouraging and persuading customers who do not want to attend training, to attend. This was the case for some, although not all, of the most resistant customers. However, the threat of sanctions also resulted in other outcomes, including: signing off, moving to an inactive benefit, securing employment, or increasing resistance to training.

Mandatory training resulted in increased flows to training provision. Providers experienced higher volumes of customers entering the courses and this meant that many of them had to take on extra staff or train existing staff to teach basic skills courses.

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