Project Overview
This project will explore the factors that determine the educational and career choices of post-16 learners in the Wales.
We have two over-arching aims:
1. To undertake research using linked administrative data to examine the effectiveness of the services provided by Careers Wales, especially issues relating to its key performance indicators:
• The sustained progression of young people through education and into employment or further training/education.
• Reductions in the number of young people who are outside the education, employment and training system.
2. To examine how the use of administrative data can bring process and productivity improvements for Careers Wales, for instance in the effective follow-up of clients and how research findings can inform the optimal selection and allocation of resources to client services.
Specifically, we aim to uncover issues surrounding the school-to-work transition and how the information, guidance, labour market intelligence and other services similar to those of Careers Wales help to shape this transition.
Our research will investigate:
• Equity of access to ensure that Careers Wales’ services are received by those with the greatest need,
• Educational choices made,
• Participation and retention in post-compulsory education,
• Occupational expectations,
• Effects of labour market interventions.
We intend for our research to help policymakers and educational researchers in understanding the higher education landscape in Wales, with a particular emphasis on retaining young people in education post-16, university admissions, and assessing the contributions of careers guidance.
