Evidence library

Evaluation of the CommunityJobs Scotland (CJS) programme. CJS is a Scottish Government funded job creation programme that performs a dual function as: - An employability programme providing young unemployed individuals with paid work and additional training to help them progress into sustainable employment. - A programme to support the development of third sector organisations. The programme is managed by a partnership of the Scottish Government, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and Social Enterprise Scotland (SES). Working alongside the partnership are Jobcentre Plus and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) who refer young people to the jobs created and the Wise Group who hold the Training and Employability Support contract for the programme. The evaluation of the 2011-12 programme was carried out in May 2012 and has three broad aims: 1. To assess the programme?s performance to date. 2. To capture the views of the programme?s participants, employers and delivery partners. 3. To make recommendations on how delivery can be improved in view of the Scottish Government?s continued support for Community Jobs Scotland. The evaluation consisted of interviews with CJS delivery partners and stakeholders; focus groups with CJS employees; an e-survey of CJS employers; analysis of CJS programme management information systems data; and value for money comparisons with similar employability interventions.