ILAs The Kent Experience CEDEFOP Seminar on ILAs Thessaloniki -31 January 2008 Nicholas Fox, Individual Learning Company

Content Kent context Kent ILA activities Evaluation outcomes Key learning points

Kent Context South East corner of England 8 million residents in the South East 1.3 million residents in Kent Polarity of wealth and deprivation Skills regarded as a key driver for economic and social development

Kent ILA activity Developed as preparation for national ILA scheme – 1998 to 2000 Phase 1300 “cash accounts” Phase 23,300 voucher based accounts within 40,000 ILAs across the South East Phase 3combination of national and local schemes

Learner Motivation Matrix AwarenessInterestDecisionAction Learning Enthusiasts (14%) IAG Learning for its own sake (24%) IAG General Assistance (15%) Open Minds IAG Kent Learning Fund Vocationally Committed (20%) Investors in People IAGCDL Poor Past Experience (13%) RTLIAG Switched Off (14%) IAG

Kent and South East Scheme Open to UK residents aged 18+ £150 (€200) subsidy against £25 personal contribution Course from contracted public, private and community providers Distributed using vouchers with different values Promoted through an intermediary network

Evaluation Results (1) 68% female, 32% male 80% aged 20 – 49 Significantly above average low skilled and skilled non-manual Significantly below average managerial and skilled manual 41% took IT user qualifications

Evaluation Results (2) Additionality: –Group 132% would not have trained and ILA was a significant incentive –Group 248% would have trained but ILA was a significant incentive to do more/sooner/higher level –Group 320% deadweight – would have trained and ILA was not a significant incentive

Evaluation (3) £150 (€200) government contribution brought an additional contribution of £191 95% of applicants had a clear objective 61% skills or qualifications 32% career advancement 91% completion rate (drop out non-ILA related)

Key Learning Points Providers contracted with fixed number of ILAs – quality control, encouragement of additionality, fraud control Learners given physical vouchers –greater appreciation of investment, better choice of learning, fraud control Use of intermediary network – targeted audience, informal support for learner, encouragement of progression

Contact Details Nicholas Fox Tel: Individual Learning Company, Westbrook House, Albion Place, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5DZ, United Kingdom