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ENTERPRISE IN EDUCATION: SME SURVEY

APPENDIX THREE: QUESTIONNAIRE

INTRODUCTION

QA Good morning/afternoon/evening. Please may I speak to…

1) Non Participating AND LESS THAN 10 EMPLOYEES = NAMED RESPONDENT

2) Participating OR NON PARTICIPATING AND MORE THAN 10 EMPLOYEES = the person in the organisation at this location/site who is responsible for human resources/training?

ONCE CONNECTED

QB Good morning/afternoon/. My name is _____ from TNS System Three. We are conducting a survey amongst organisations in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The aim of the survey is to obtain their views on the role of businesses in the local community?

R1. ASK IF PARTICIPATING

For this particular survey we are seeking the views of organisations in the private sector, not public or voluntary/charities. Can I confirm that your business is in the private sector?

Yes private - CONTINUE AND COUNT TOWARDS QUOTA

No, public/voluntary- THANK CLOSE AND DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS QUOTA

ASK ALL IN QUOTA

The survey will take no more than 15 minutes. Is it convenient to talk to you now? IF NO ARRANGE CALL BACK

R2. First of all which of the following activities, if any, is your organisation is involved in….READ OUT AND CODE ALL THAT APPLY

a) Local trade organisations
b) working with local charities
c) working with environmental groups
d) working with pupils at local schools, e.g. visits to talk to pupils; pupils coming to your workplace, business case studies, teacher placements- anything related to pupils getting involved/hearing about your business, working with teachers on placement

None of these

MAIN QUESTIONNAIRE

Q1. Does your business have customers or suppliers in the local area?
IF YES: ASK: Is that many or a few?
Yes, many
Yes, a few
No, none
Don't know- DO NOT READ OUT

Q2. Do you think that your organisation has something to contribute to the community in your local area?
Yes, definitely
Yes, probably
No
Don't know- DO NOT READ OUT

Q3. Here are some statements that other people have made with regard to their local community. Please say for each one whether you…. READ OUT
Agree strongly
Agree slightly
Disagree slightly
Disagree strongly
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT
DP ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS
a) As a business we do not have the resources to work with other members of the local community on a voluntary basis
b) Our business is as much a part of the local community as other types of organisation
c) We can contribute to the local community by providing employment
d) The local community will be benefit if businesses like this one work together with other local groups
e) We always give our time to those local charities and local groups that contact us
f) The most important contribution of firms to society is to be profitable so they can provide jobs and services.

Q4. Thinking about local schools and careers education specifically what particular initiatives or activities involving businesses and schools are you aware of, if any? DO NOT PROMPT CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Young Enterprise.
Business Dynamics
Work Experience
Taking on a pupil at workplace
Giving talks/seminars at schools
Helping pupils to set up a business at school
Career awareness events/activities
Make it in Scotland
Other (Please specify - and probe fully)
None
Don't know

Q4b. How did you find about or hear about this/these activities and events? READ OUT AND CODE ALL THAT APPLY . Was it through… MORE THAN ONE ANSWER ALLOWED
The schools making contact with your business
Direct contact from someone at an organisation such as Careers Scotland/Young Enterprise
As a parent of a child/children at school
Reading about it in the newspapers/trade press
Other - DO NOT READ OUT
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT
ASK ALL

Q5. And which of these business and school linked activities are you aware of, if any? READ OUT AND CODE ALL MENTIONED
Young Enterprise
Business Dynamics
Work Experience
Determined to Succeed
Make it in Scotland
None of these - DO NOT READ OUT
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q6. And which of these …
a) is your organisation currently involved with? READ OUT AND CODE
b) has your organisation ever been involved in?
Young Enterprise - e.g. working with teams of pupils to create a business at local schools
Business Dynamics - e.g. seminars on different occupations
Work Experience e.g. taking on a pupil at your workplace
Attending career awareness events and activities e.g. at local school
Giving talks/seminars at local school about your business generally
Taking teachers on placement at your business
Previous Government initiatives such as YTS…( Q6b only)
Other (specify)..
None - DO NOT READ OUT
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

IF NONE, SAY
You mentioned earlier that you took part in… (INSERT D) FROM R2) Can you recall any sorts of activities that you have undertaken with local schools? IF YES CODE ANSWER AS 'OTHER', IF NO, THEN ACCEPT AS NON PARTICIPATING AND SKIP TO Q15

THEN CHECK BACK AT R2 - IF STILL NONE ACCEPT AS NON PARTICIPATING AND SKIP TO Q15

Q7a. How long have you been involved with your local school in these sorts of activities? READ OUT - IF MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF ACTIVITY, RECORD THE LONGEST PERIOD OF TIME
Within last year
For 1-2 years
For 3-5 years
For 5-10 years
For over 10 years
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q7b) And generally how often is your business directly involved with the schools - by someone either attending an event at the school or from taking on a pupil or teacher on a work placement? READ OUT
Many times throughout the year
Several times throughout the year
Once or twice
Less often than once a year
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q8. With which group of pupils is your organisation mainly involved with? Is it… READ OUT. ONE ANSWER ONLY
Primary pupils
Secondary S1-3, aged 11- 14
Secondary S4 - 6, aged 15-18
Special school pupils

Q9. In the main how would you describe the pupils that you deal with? Would you say they are… READ OUT
Very easy to deal with
Fairly easy to deal with
Fairly difficult to deal with
Very difficult to deal with
Varies each year - DO NOT READ OUT
Mixed - DO NOT READ OUT

Q10a. What are the main benefits, if any, to your organisation from your involvement with this type of activity? PROBE FULLY

Q10b And what do you think are the main benefits for the pupils? PROBE FULLY

Q11i). Which of the following, if any, are reasons why your business is involved? READ OUT AND CODE YES/NO FOR EACH
DP ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS
a) employment opportunities
b) staffing up at peak times
c) development opportunities for staff
d) to improve their image in the local community
e) The school asked and we wanted to help
f) Awareness of the benefits to pupils
g) Other ( please specify)
Q11ii) And which one of these is the main reason why your business is involved? READ OUT THOSE MENTIONED AT Q11i)
ONE ANSWER ONLY

Q12a) How likely are you to continue your involvement with local schools?
Are you…. READ OUT
DP REVERSE ORDER OF RESPONSES FOR HALF THE SAMPLE
Very likely
Fairly likely
Fairly unlikely
Very unlikely
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q12b) And if you were asked, how likely would you be to agree to increase your involvement with local schools? Would you be….READ OUT
DP REVERSE ORDER OF RESPONSES FOR HALF THE SAMPLE
Very likely
Fairly likely
Fairly unlikely
Very unlikely
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q13 I am going to read out some statements that other businesses have mentioned in relation to having work experience pupils and involvement with schools generally.
a) Which of these apply to your organisation? READ OUT AND CODE ALL THAT APPLY
b) And which one of these would you say is your main concern?
DP; ROTATE ORDER
It takes up a lot of staff time
There are significant Health and Safety issues to deal with
We are out of pocket from various items of expenditure, such as special clothing
The pupils are not always that interested or motivated
There is a lot of form filling
The experiences are too short for pupils to gain much from it
We need more feedback from the schools on our role

Q14. Which of the following, if any, would help your business to benefit more from your involvement with local schools and pupils? READ OUT AND CODE ALL THAT APPLY
DP : ROTATE ORDER
More information on the pupils
More information generally
Expenses coverage
More regular contact with the schools
Schools could provide guidance to pupils on Health and Safety issues before coming out to businesses
Other ( please specify)

Q15a. Has your organisation ever been approached by a school, or by Careers Scotland or by some other organisation to take part in activities involving pupils and work?
Yes
No
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT
IF YES CONTINUE
IF NO/DON'T KNOW SKIP TO Q17

Q15b) IF YES: Who were you approached by..?..DO NOT PROMPT.CODE ALL THAT APPLY
A local secondary school
A local primary school
Young Enterprise
Careers Scotland
Other ( please specify)
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q15b What particular event or activities were you approached about or asked to get involved in ? Was it… DO NOT PROMPT. CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Young Enterprise - e.g. working with teams of pupils to create a business at local schools
Business Dynamics - e.g. seminars on different occupations
Work Experience e.g. taking on a pupil at your workplace
Attending career awareness events and activities l
Giving talks/seminars about your business generally
Taking teachers on placement at your business
Other (specify

Q16a. Why did your business decide not to be involved in work related activities with schools and pupils? PROBE FULLY

Q16b. IF MORE THAN ONE REASON GIVEN ASK. And which one of these is the main reason.
IF APPROACHED AT Q15A - SKIP TO Q18
IF NOT APPROACHED AT Q15A - ASK Q17

Q17. Why do you think it is that your business is not involved with the local schools and pupils? PROBE FULLY

ASK ALL NON PARTICIPATING

Q18. If your organisation were to be contacted (INSERT 'again' IF APPROACHED AT Q15a) by a local school or Careers Scotland, for example, how likely would you be to agree to be involved?

DP REVERSE ORDER OF RESPONSES FOR HALF THE SAMPLE
Very likely
Fairly likely
Fairly unlikely
Very unlikely
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

IF VERY/FAIRY LIKELY ASK Q19
Q19a. What sort of involvement would be of most interest to your organisation? READ OUT..ONE ANSWER ONLY
Q19b) And which would be of least interest? ONE REASON ONLY FROM ANY NOT MENTIONED AT Q18a)
DP ROTATE ORDER
a) allowing pupils to have a week's work experience at your workplace
b) helping teams of pupils' at school to create and work as a business
c) giving talks on your business and the jobs people do
d) taking a teacher on placement at your business
e) Other ( please specify)
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

Q20. IF FAIRLY/VERY UNLIKELY ASK Q20
Which one of the following is the main reason why you are unlikely to become involved? READ OUT AND CODE ONE ANSWER

DP ROTATE ORDER
Know nothing about this sort of activity
Know nothing about/have no connections with the local school
We/I am too busy
There is no business advantage from becoming involved
Don't know - DO NOT READ OUT

ASK ALL NON PARTICIPATING
Q21 I am going to read out some statements given by other organisations to explain why they are not involved. For each one please tell me whether this is a possible reason why your business is not currently involved with schools and pupils…
Agree strongly
Agree slightly
Disagree slightly
Disagree strongly
Don't know - DO NO READ OUT

DP REVERSE ORDER OF RESPONSES FOR HALF THE SAMPLE
a) There would be only limited opportunities as this is a small business
b) There are only a few staff here; it would be difficult to find the time
c) There might be some Health and Safety issues
d) School age children are not necessarily suited to working in this type of business
e) You don't know whether or not the pupils will enjoy it
f) There might be a lot of bureaucracy involved
g) We do a lot of other work already with the local community
h) We might be interested if we knew more about it

ASK ALL
Q22a. Overall how much benefit is there or would there be to your organisation from involvement with local schools?
Q22b) And overall how much benefit is there to pupils from being involved with local businesses?

Please answer using the following scale READ OUT
DP : REVERSE ORDER OF RESPONSE FOR HALF THE SAMPLE
A very big benefit
A big benefit
Some benefit
A slight benefit
No benefit at all

Q23. What needs to be offered/communicated to make your organisation more likely..
INSERT FOR PARTICIPATING - to become more involved? PROBE FULLY
.INSERT FOR NON PARTICIPATING - to get involved? PROBE FULLY

Q24a) The Scottish Executive encourage local businesses to be involved with pupils through a strategy entitled 'Enterprise in Education'. Have you heard of this before today?
IF YES:

Q24b) Where have you heard of this? DO NOT PROMPT
Newspapers/press
Local schools
Trade press/organisations
Scottish Executive
Other (specify)

Q26a) The strategy to instil confidence in young people and encourage a positive attitude to work is also known by the name 'Determined to Succeed'. Have you heard of this before today?

Q26b) IF YES: Where have you heard of this? DO NOT PROMPT
Newspapers/press
Local schools
Trade press/organisations
Scottish Executive
(Other specify)
DP -
CLASSIFICATION

Q27 PARTICIPATING ONLY
Finally I have just a couple of questions for classification purposes.
How many employees are in your organisation overall? IF UNSURE SAY; A rough estimate will do. ONE CODE ONLY

None/0
1-5
6-10
11-20
21-50
51-99
100-250 -
250+

Q28 PARTICIPATING ONLY
And which sector or type of business are you involved in? Is it.. READ OUT

Primary i.e. Manufacturing, production, farming, mining
Retail or wholesale
Or services
Other (please specify in as much detail as possible)

ASK ALL
Q29. Is your workplace one of several sites for your business, the head office or the only site? ONE ANSWER ONLY

Q30. What part of Scotland are you based in? is it? READ OUT
North - i.e. Perth and Kinross, Highlands or Grampian,
West - i.e. Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Argyll
Central - i.e. Stirlingshire, Midlothian
East - i.e. Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife, Angus, Tayside
Borders
Other (specify)

Q31. Do you have any involvement with local schools on a personal basis; for example, do you have children at the local school, or are you on the Board?
Yes
No

Q32. And what is your position in the company? DO NOT PROMPT
Owner/proprietor
Managing director
Human Resources/Personnel Director
Other Director
Human Resources/Personnel Manager
Local Manager
Other Manager
Other (specify)
Further information on Enterprise in Education, and involvement with schools is available in the Careers Scotland Website - www.careers-scotland.org.uk

CLOSE INTERVIEW BY READING THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

Thank you very much for your time and help. All your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence. Just to remind you that my company's name is TNS System Three. Would you like me to give you some contact numbers in case you would like to check the bona fides of our company?

PROMPTS FROM OPEN ENDEDS

I certify that this interview was conducted with a person previously unknown to me and that the interview was conducted according to the provisions of the Market Research Society's 'Code of Conduct' and the briefing instructions from TNS.

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