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ANNEX 3: INTERMEDIARY STUDY
Scoping study |
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Edinburgh focus group
Nature of involvement with the scheme |
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Local Authority | 2 | Works directly with learners. Cascade of information through network | 1
1 |
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Voluntary Sector | 2 | Works directly with learners Cascade of information through network | 2
1 |
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Total | | | 4 |
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Glasgow focus group |
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Local Authority | 2 | Works directly with learners. | 2 |
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Trade Unions | 2 | Works directly with learners | 2 |
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Voluntary Sector | 1 | Works directly with learners and Cascade of information through network | 1 |
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Total | 5 | | 5 |
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Phase One | |
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Formal intermediaries | |
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Careers & Learning | 1 |
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Local Authority | 3 |
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Employers | 0 |
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Voluntary Sector | 6 |
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Learning Uncovered Delegates | 2 |
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Trade Union | 2 |
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Totals | 14 |
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Informal intermediaries | |
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Retail Representative | 1 |
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Library Representative | 1 |
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Community Education Representative | 1 |
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Learning Ambassador | 2 |
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Total | 5 |
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Phase Two |
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Edinburgh focus group
Nature of involvement with the scheme |
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Local Authority | 1 | Cascade of information through network | 1 |
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Trade Unions | 1 | Cascade of information through network | 1 |
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Careers & Learning | 1 | Cascade of information through network | 1 |
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Learning Uncovered Delegate | 1 | | 1 |
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Other | 1 | Cascade of information through network and
Can nominate staff who work with learners | 1 |
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Total | 5 | | 5 |
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Glasgow focus group
Nature of involvement with the scheme |
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Local Authority | 1 | Works directly with learners | 1 |
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Trade Unions | 1 | Cascade of information through network and Can nominate staff who work with learners | 1 |
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Voluntary | 1 | Works directly with learners | 1 |
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Learning Uncovered Delegate | 1 | | 1 |
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Total | 4 | | 4 |
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Formal intermediaries |
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Careers & Learning | 3 |
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Local Authority | 3 |
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Learning Uncovered Delegates | 4 |
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Trade Union | 4 |
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Totals | 14 |
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Informal intermediaries |
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Adult Resource Centre representative | 1 |
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Community Centre representative | 1 |
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Family Support Organisation representative | 1 |
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Total | 3 |
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Sampling strategy
The research team were supplied with a database containing information detailing agencies acting as formal intermediaries and partners with the scheme, as well as outlining the nature of participants' involvement with the scheme. Information was also given on key issues emerging for such agencies. Participants were selected for 2 focus groups with the aim of providing an appropriate geographical spread across the east and west of Scotland. Participants for both the focus groups and formal intermediary interviews were and approached to participate in the study from the sectors outlined below:
- Careers and learning
- Local authority
- Trade union organisations
- Voluntary sector
- Employers
- 'Learning Uncovered' ( LU) delegates (those agencies that attended one of learndirect scotland's seminars on learning opportunities)
- 'Other' (those who did not fall into any of the above categories)
For informal intermediaries, the main recruitment procedure employed was a "snowball" sampling strategy, based on suggestions made by formal intermediaries. Examples of these types of organisations are:
- Workplaces
- Pubs
- Supermarkets
- Doctor Surgeries
- Learning ambassadors (learners who encourage other learners)
- Family Centres
- Toddlers Groups
- Women's Groups
- Social Workers
- Youth Centres
- Sports clubs/Leisure Centres
- Libraries
The contact strategy for selection of participants to take part in the 2 final focus groups was broadly similar to the approach undertaken when organising the first two focus groups in the scoping study. However, as well as new agencies being approached to participate, some of the original participants from Phase One focus groups were also contacted again so as to attain an appropriate balance of old and new agencies.
Both the database and "snowball" sampling strategy based on the recommendations of formal intermediaries were used in identifying participants in interviews for both phases. Again a broad range of representatives from various sectors was sought.
Operational issues
Focus groups for both Phase One and Phase Two were held in central locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh with a broad range of formal intermediary representatives attending. In Phase Two, some Phase One participants were again invited to participate in order to allow reflection on the impact, if any, of changes to the scheme. With permission, the discussions were recorded and transcribed and detailed notes were taken alongside the recording. The discussions lasted approximately one and a half hours.
Interviews with formal intermediaries in Phases One and Two lasted approximately one hour and again, discussions were recorded and transcribed. The interview schedule for Phase two included additional questions about perceptions of the impact, if any, of the changes made to the scheme.
Contact with informal intermediaries progressed slowly in comparison with interviews undertaken with formal intermediaries, largely due to the 'hidden' nature of the population. Through time however, interviews with participants from a broad range of backgrounds were secured and conducted. Interviews were conducted by telephone and took approximately one hour, with the structure of the interviews similar to those conducted with formal intermediaries.
Key areas discussed
Formal intermediaries
- Levels of understanding and awareness of the ILA Scotland Scheme amongst intermediary and partner agencies
- Levels of understanding and awareness amongst client groups and learners or potential learners generally
- The accessibility of ILA Scotland information for intermediaries and partners
- The role of intermediaries and partners with respect to the ILA Scotland Scheme
- Key activities of intermediary and partner organisations with respect to the ILA Scotland Scheme
- The Learner eligibility criteria including the awareness and understanding of these criteria within intermediary and partner organisations, client groups and learners generally. This will include consideration of the eligibility criteria is perceived within your organisation.
- The impact of marketing and recruitment activities including the accessibility and usefulness of learner information.
- Perceptions of enrolment and course booking procedures associated with ILA Scotland and implications for patterns of uptake and types of courses
- The ILA Scotland application process including income assessment and personal contribution
- The Operation of ILA Scotland including consideration of the most successful and least successful aspects of the scheme.
- The overall effectiveness of the scheme, and ideas for improvement
- Any other key issues participants may like to raise in relation to ILA Scotland.
Informal intermediaries
- Levels of understanding and awareness of ILA Scotland
- The accessibility of ILA Scotland information
- Levels of support offered by the ILA Scotland Scheme
- Key activities of intermediary and partner organisations with respect to the ILA Scotland Scheme
- Learner eligibility criteria and application processes
- Operation of elements of the ILA Scotland Scheme including exploration of most and least successful aspects of the scheme
- ILA Scotland Information for Learners/Potential Learners
- ILA Scotland Marketing Activities and Levels of Uptake
- Overview of the ILA Scotland Scheme
- The overall effectiveness of the scheme, and ideas for improvement
- Any other issues participants may wish to raise as part of the interview process.
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