Data and Learning

This case study forms part of the youth employment infrastructure research and evaluation project carried out by RAND Europe in 2021–22 on behalf of the Youth Futures Foundation (YFF). It explores the ways in which infrastructure organisations (IOs) collect, analyse and disseminate data to support frontline organisations (FOs) helping young people into employment, as well as to create change for those young people directly. It seeks to understand the activities that take place in this area and draw out examples of good practice, as well as the key barriers and facilitators that may play a role.

These findings are based on two semi-structured interviews with IOs: the National Youth Agency (NYA) and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP). They are also informed by an interview with a representative from a combined authority (the West Midlands Combined Authority [WMCA]) with extensive experience collaborating with IOs on data and research initiatives. Interviewees were selected from among the grantees involved in the project. Further interviewees were then identified via snowballing from these interviews. The interviews were complemented by a targeted review of relevant literature and documentation provided by the interviewees and other IOs.