ESF Programme for Employment, Inclusion and Learning

Transcription

1 ESF Programme for Employment, Inclusion and Learning Annual Implementation Report (AIR) Template Article 125(2)(b) of the CPR requires the MA to prepare an AIR which is submitted to the Commission following approval by the Monitoring Committee. Article 50(2) of the CPR sets out that the AIR will contain key information on the implementation of the OP (including the YEI) by reference to financial data, common and programme specific indicators and quantified target values. A synthesis of the findings of evaluations undertaken, issues arising and measures taken are also to be included along with actions taken to fulfil ex-ante Conditionalities. Failure to include the required information will result in the AIR being inadmissible. Article 50(9) provides for a citizen s summary of the AIR s content to be published. The 2016 AIR must be submitted to the Commission by 31 st May 2016 and shall cover the 2014 and 2015 financial years. Article 5(3) of the ESF Regulation (1304/2013) requires the MA to transmit electronically structured data for each priority axis broken down by investment priority. This data relating to output and result indicators is to be provided for both partially and fully implemented operations. Article 19(4) of the ESF Regulation (1304/2013) requires the AIR to present the findings of the evaluation of the YEI undertaken in 2015 and to set out and assess the quality of employment offers received by YEI participants and their progress in continuing education, apprenticeships/traineeships, employment etc. The Intermediate Body is required to complete this template for aggregation into the 2016 AIR. The responses provided such be succinct and relate only to activity within the reporting period itself. An entry must be made under each heading, even if only to formally record no change. Indicator and data on participants is obligatory for all Activities and should be entered on the accompanying Excel workbook. Reporting Period: January 2014 to December 2015 Priority: Promoting the attainment of sustainable and quality employment through relevant upskilling measures and supporting labour mobility Activity: ETB Training for the Unemployed AIP Ref: ESF Activity description Provide a paragraph briefly describing the objectives of the Activity and its target group. The Activity provides a range of training courses to meet the needs of unemployed persons or other job seekers, including those who are longer term unemployed, unemployed youth and those who are socially disadvantaged, low skilled with low qualifications. Training courses are provided at different levels and in a wide range of subjects. Some courses concentrate on generic, foundation skills whilst others provide skills specific to a particular occupation or set of tasks, enabling individuals to progress to higher level skills training. Within the range of specific skills are courses in computer applications and software development, financial services, caring, driving, machine operation, electronics and retail. For 2014 and 2015, the Activity included the former FAS programme groups: Specific Skills Training - mainline courses which are employment-led and lead to qualifications that offer learners both generic skills and skills specific to particular jobs or occupations. Bridging -courses for people who have left school early, or for other reasons need 1

2 broader-based, generic skills training Traineeships - occupational-specific training courses that use a combination of offthe-job and structured on-the-job workplace training 2. Significant Changes in the Operating Environment 2

3 Report on any significant changes in the operating environment that impact, either positively or negatively, on the performance of the Activity (such as changes in Government policy, socio-economic trends, etc.). Where there are no significant changes, this should be indicated. Labour Market The general conditions in the economy continued to improve during 2014 and 2015 and there were improvements in a number of labour market indicators. There was an annual increase in employment of 2.3% to the fourth quarter of This compares with an annual increase of 1.5% to the fourth quarter of At the end of 2015 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate had decreased to 9.1%, broadly in line with the EU average. The long-term unemployment rate decreased from 5.8% to 4.7% at the end of Q Long-term unemployment accounted for 54.5% of total unemployment in Q4 2015, compared with 57.8% a year earlier, and 61.4% in Q4 of The unemployment rate for certain sections of the population remained high, but there was a decrease in the youth unemployment rate (15-24 year olds) from 20.3% to 18.9% over the year to Q Employment increased in twelve of the fourteen economic sectors over 2015, with the largest rates of increase recorded in the Construction Industry (Source CSO QNHS Q4 2015) In summary, while the economic recovery that has taken place since 2012 has outpaced projected growth, challenges remain. The education profile of working age persons participating in the labour force has improved, but the share of persons with only NFQ Level 3 (ISCED Level 2) qualifications stands at over 15%, eight percentage points above the target set in the 2007 National Skills Strategy (see below). Government Policy and FET Reform SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, published the first Further Education and Training (FET) strategy in the history of the Irish State in May The Strategy provides a road map for a more integrated FET system and an overarching framework, within which outcomes based funding and planning, based on robust evidence, reflect learner and enterprise needs. In responding to the economic and labour market challenges set out above, the FET Strategy s strategic goals include a strong focus on skills for the economy, as well as active inclusion. The OECD s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) survey showed that while the proportion of Irish adults scoring at lower literacy levels dropped by 4% compared with the adjusted results of the 1996 study (IALS), approximately 18% of adults still scored at, or below Level 1, placing Ireland 17 th out of the 24 participating countries. With regard to numeracy, Ireland was placed 19 th out of the 24 participating countries. The FET Strategy identifies literacy and numeracy as one of five high level strategic goals. Following a system review, a new Apprenticeship Council was launched in November The Council is tasked with the expansion of apprenticeship into new sectors of the economy. 25 new apprenticeship proposals were announced in July

4 A new MOMENTUM initiative providing free education and training projects for up to 6500 longterm jobseekers was launched in September The programmes include on-the-job training in the form of work experience modules, as well as accredited further education and training. One third of places are ring-fenced for under 25s. The new Skills Strategy was published in January 2016, with the projected skills needs of the economy clearly set out. A new National Skills Council will address emerging skills gaps. Ambitious targets have been set for FET, relating to apprenticeship, traineeship, adult literacy and numeracy, up-skilling of employees, particularly those with low levels of initial education, and lifelong learning. Other Government policy initiatives such as the Action Plan for Jobs 2016, the Pathways to Work 2015 and the Department of Social Protection led Youth Guarantee/Youth Employment Initiative incorporate commitments made by the education sector, including SOLAS and the ETBs to support their successful implementation. The Department of Education and Skills (DES) has also established a network of nine Regional Skills Fora. Funding has been allocated to support the establishment and work of the network in FET Strategy Implementation The FET Strategy provides clear direction to the ETBs and to the FET sector as a whole in relation to the overarching priorities for SOLAS funding for the period A range of bodies are working together to oversee the successful implementation of the strategy, including the full implementation of the adult literacy and numeracy strategy. A strategic planning framework undertaken by SOLAS and the ETBs commenced in The aim is to embed strategic planning systems that enable ETBs to anticipate and respond more effectively to changing economic and social needs, leading to better outcomes for learners, employers and communities. 4

5 3. Commentary on Implementation of the Activity key developments, significant problems and steps taken to address these problems: This section requires an overall commentary on actions taken during 2014 and 2015 to implement the Activity. Outline key developments; new initiatives taken; issues/problems that arose and steps taken to overcome. Commentary should be confined to progress within the area of Activity only. Continuity in all training activity was maintained during 2014 during the transfer to the ETB sector of the former FÁS training centre network, associated staff and provision. This task was completed by mid Key targets, as determined by the government, were delivered: the needs of priority cohorts were addressed, including persons who are long-term unemployed, those who are disadvantaged or have low standards of education or qualification and also those who have suffered job losses in sectors most impacted by the economic downturn. In 2014 and 2015, a range of training opportunities within this Activity were provided: Training Enrolled 2014 Enrolled 2015 Specific Skills Training 12,422 10,383 Bridging Foundation Programmes Traineeships Developments in Specific Skills Training and Traineeships A range of new and updated courses across various industry sectors were offered. Many of these courses met QQI Common Award requirements, with the remainder leading to industry recognised certification. Specific Skills Training (Long) courses take 6 months or more to complete and are designed to meet the needs of industry across a range of sectors and are fully certified, leading to either a QQI award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or are certified by a recognised accreditation body. Specific Skills Training (Short) courses were introduced to allow individuals to quickly upgrade their skills. The majority of the programmes on offer are QQI or externally certified. Traineeship courses typically take up to 9 months to complete. They provide occupation specific training and integrate formal training and workplace coaching with a host employer. All programmes are fully certified leading to either QQI Major Awards, ranging from a Major Level 4 to a Major Level 6 on the NFQ, or certification from a recognised external accredited body. Specific Skills courses offered /developed/upgraded during 2014 and 2015 included: Virtualisation and Cloud Computing MTA Software and Networking Fundamentals Cisco certified Network Associate Microsoft MCSA Windows Server 5

6 MySQL & PHP for Dynamic Websites Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Social Media for Business Medical Administration Warehouse Operations Accounting Technician Ireland (1 st year) Computerised and Manual Book-keeping Furniture Design and Instrument Making 3 D parametric Modelling Mechanical Digital Media Production Festival Management and Sound Production Sport and Recreation Tour Guiding Heavy Goods Driving Supply Chain Logistics. Traineeships offered/upgraded/developed included; IT Support Specialist Traineeship Software Developer Traineeship Beauty Therapist Traineeship Office Administration Traineeship Aircraft Maintenance Technician Traineeship 6

7 4. Progress in relation to physical performance indicators and targets Statistical information relating to the reporting period should be entered in the format contained in the Activity Implementation Plan as per the following table. A commentary on the main features of the statistical information should also be provided. Note: Having regard to the 2018 target value of 74,145 participants on training or up skilling programmes for the Unemployed and Job seekers as indicated in the AIP, please comment in the comment box provided on your progress to date in achieving the 2018 target based on the output figures for 2014 and 2015 below. ACTIVITY SPECIFIC OUTPUT INDICATORS: OUTPUTS Outputs and Results Indicator Targets The number of participants on training or up skilling programmes for the Unemployed and Job seekers See Note above *Figures should correspond with Annex III Grand Total The number of LTU participants on training or up skilling programmes for the Unemployed and Job seekers (i.e. cumulative throughput) *Figures should correspond with Annex III Indicator CO02 The number of youth (<25yrs) participants on training or up skilling programmes for the Unemployed and Job seekers (i.e. cumulative throughput) *Figures should correspond with Annex III Indicator CO06 RESULTS Number of participants completing an education/training programme Measurement Unit Number of participants Number of LTU participants Number of <25yrs participants Number of participants ,763 14, , The number of participants gaining certification *Figures should correspond with Annex IV Indicator CR03 Number of LTU participants completing an education/training programme - The number of LTU participants gaining certification Number of youths (<25yrs) participants completing an education/training programme -The number of youths (<25yrs) participants gaining certification Number of LTU participants Number of <25 yrs participants 2014 data not available from FARR system Data not available Data not available 10,640 Data not available Data not available 7

8 Comments: Annex III Indicator C008: Unemployed over 54 years of age: 2014: : 729 Annex IV The total throughput figure on Annex IV refers to the numbers of participants who completed the programme: , ,501 Number of participants gaining certification Data not returned for : a total of 10,640 participants gained certification 5. Participant Indicators The data on participants on each ESF supported operation should be inserted in Common Output Indicators and Common Result Indicators tables in the attached Excel Workbook. For guidance of the description of the indicators, please refer to: Annex B-D in the ESF Guidance Document on Monitoring & Evaluation of European Cohesion Policy. Annex D Practical Guidance on data collection and validation. Please click on the link below to access these documents: 6. Data Action Plan (ex-ante conditionalities) - Update Please state the current position in relation to the collection of Indicator Data as outlined in the Data Collection Summary Action Plan which accompanied the Operational Programme/Commission Decision. As stated in the Data Collection Summary Action Plan, ETBs do not currently have all the participant data as set out in Annex III and Annex IV because previously there was no requirement to collect this. All of the data concerning eligibility criteria for a programme are collected. 8

9 The data not currently being returned under Annex III for this activity relates to Common output indicators for participants: Inactive, not in education or training Participants who live in jobless households Participants who live in jobless households with dependent children Migrants Homeless Participants from rural areas (for collection in 2017) The data not currently being returned under Annex IV relates to: Common immediate result indicators: for participants: Inactive participants engaged in job searching upon leaving Participants in education/training upon leaving Participants gaining a qualification upon leaving Participants in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving Disadvantaged participants engaged in job searching, education/training, gaining a qualification or in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving Common longer-term result indicators for participants Participants in employment, including self-employment, 6 months after leaving Participants with an improved labour market situation 6 months after leaving Participants above 54 years of age, in employment, including self-employment, 6 months after leaving Disadvantaged participants in employment, including self-employment, six months after leaving The process of collection of longer term result indicators is in the process of adjustment in line with ESF regulations. A Programme and Learner Support System (PLSS) is being implemented for all 16 ETBs. This IT restructuring project will address the ESF data collection requirements. The PLSS is developing three associated IT infrastructures and business processes required for systematic and timely access to the data within Further Education and Training (FET) provision. The IT infrastructures are: The National Programme Database (NPD) the Course Calendar Scheduling System (CCSS) The Learner Database. To date, the work has primarily focused on the development of the NPD and CCSS, in consultation with Department of Social Protection. The third element of this work, the Learner Database, is currently being progressed. The purpose of SOLAS learner database is to attain learner details and learner (and course) outcomes and indicators, as well as facilitate data exchanges between SOLAS, ETBs, DES and DSP. Data from the learner database will be used to support policy formulation, inform programme planning to ensure labour market demands are met, and will provide a platform to facilitate reporting to the ESF Monitoring Committee The development of the FET Learner Database strand of PLSS development for completion in Quarter 4 is on target. The pilot for this Database will commence in May

10 7. Compliance with EU and National policy Declarations It is a requirement that all Programme Activities comply with EU and national policy in areas such as; - procurement, - competition, - state aids - ESF information and publicity requirements - Compliance with the project selection criteria as set out in the AIP. - Promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination - Sustainable development - Ensuring beneficiaries are provided with documentation setting out the conditions of ESF support. Please confirm compliance with these requirements and advise on any deviations thereto: Compliance Confirmed Date On behalf of the IB Deviations from Requirements Declared by Date On behalf of the IB 10

11 [Extract from Regulation 1304/2013 Annex I (the ESF Regulation)] ANNEX I Common output and result indicators for ESF investments (1) Common output indicators for participants "Participants" 1 refers to persons benefiting directly from an ESF intervention who can be identified and asked for their characteristics, and for whom specific expenditure is earmarked. Other persons shall not be classified as participants. All data shall be broken down by gender. The common output indicators for participants are: unemployed, including long-term unemployed*, long-term unemployed*, inactive*, inactive, not in education or training*, employed, including self-employed*, below 25 years of age*, above 54 years of age*, above 54 years of age who are unemployed, including long-term unemployed, or inactive not in education or training*, with primary (ISCED 1) or lower secondary education (ISCED 2)*, with upper secondary (ISCED 3) or post-secondary education (ISCED 4)*, with tertiary education (ISCED 5 to 8)*, participants who live in jobless households*, participants who live in jobless households with dependent children*, participants who live in a single adult household with dependent children*, migrants, participants with a foreign background, minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma)**, participants with disabilities**, other disadvantaged**. The total number of participants will be calculated automatically on the basis of the output indicators. These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation shall be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(1) and (2) and Article 111(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. homeless or affected by housing exclusion*, 1 Managing authorities shall establish a system that records and stores individual participant data in computerised form as set out in Article 125 (2) (d) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The data processing arrangements put in place by the Member States shall be in line with the provisions of Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 281, , p. 31), in particular Articles 7 and 8 thereof. Data reported under the indicators marked with * are personal data according to Article 7 of Directive 95/46/EC. Their processing is necessary for compliance with the legal obligation to which the controller is subject (Article 7(c) of Directive 95/46/EC). For the definition of controller, see Article 2 of Directive 95/46/EC. Data reported under the indicators marked with ** are a special category of data according to Article 8 of Directive 95/46/EC. Subject to the provision of suitable safeguards, Member States may, for reasons of substantial public interest, lay down exemptions in addition to those laid down in Article 8(2) of Directive 95/46/EC, either by national law or by decision of the supervisory authority (Article 8(4) of Directive 95/46/EC). 11

12 from rural areas* 1 The data on participants under the two above indicators will be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The data shall be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each investment priority. Internal validity of the sample shall be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of investment priority. (2) Common output indicators for entities are: number of projects fully or partially implemented by social partners or non-governmental organisations, number of projects dedicated at sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, number of projects targeting public administrations or public services at national, regional or local level, number of supported micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (including cooperative enterprises, enterprises of the social economy). These data shall be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(1) and (2) and Article 111(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. (3) Common immediate result indicators for participants are: inactive participants engaged in job searching upon leaving*, participants in education/training upon leaving*, participants gaining a qualification upon leaving*, participants in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving*, disadvantaged participants engaged in job searching, education/ training, gaining a qualification, in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving**. These data shall be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(1) and (2) and Article 111(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. All data shall be broken down by gender. (4) Common longer-term result indicators for participants are: participants in employment, including self-employment, six months after leaving*, participants with an improved labour market situation six months after leaving*, participants above 54 years of age in employment, including self-employment, six months after leaving*, disadvantaged participants in employment, including self-employment, six months after leaving**. These data shall be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. They shall be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each investment priority. Internal validity of the sample shall be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of investment priority. All data shall be broken down by gender. 1 The data shall be collected at the level of smaller administrative units (local administrative units 2), in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154, , p. 1). 12