Year Published: 2021
Date Published: 01/09/2021
Author/s: Amion Consulting
Research Link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1021163/Evaluation_of_LDSP_final_report_270921.pdf
Methodology:
The evaluation was informed by evidence gathered through: analysis of Local DSP documentation; observation of Local DSP Board / sub-group meetings: the evaluators attended Board / sub-group meetings in five of the six Local DSP areas; qualitative research with Local DSP stakeholders: Consultations were undertaken with stakeholders across the first six Local DSP areas; Consultees were also asked to complete an online survey asking them to score the effectiveness of their Local DSP in a series of areas; qualitative consultations with national partners and policymakers: including four with representatives from corporate businesses who have supported the Local DSPs and five with digital organisations / providers who have been engaged with a number of Local DSPs. There were also three consultations with policy leads from other Government departments (DfE, MHCLG and Defra), plus two with other DCMS Digital teams.
Key Takeaways:
Amion Consulting for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
In February 2021, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned
AMION Consulting to evaluate the first six Local Digital Skills Partnerships (DSPs): Lancashire,
Heart of the South West, West Midlands, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cheshire and Warrington
and the South East.
Local DSPs
Local DSPs are designed to build regional capacity to improve digital skills capability at all levels.
They bring together and connect partners from the public, private and third sectors to upskill the
current workforce, advance digital inclusion, and raise awareness of the importance of digital
skills regionally. The first six Local DSPs benefited from £75,000 DCMS funding per annum to
employ a full time Regional Coordinator. They had access to high level contacts in the private
sector, wider DCMS policy areas and other government departments, secured via DCMS and
the National DSP. The DCMS team provided support and expertise, and facilitated a Regional
Coordinator network.
Evaluation Aims and Objectives
The aim of the evaluation was to understand the value added to Local DSPs by the DCMS
funding and wider support. The objectives were to identify: the outcomes and additionality of
the Local DSPs; the factors which contributed to the delivery of these outcomes; and the lessons
learned.
Summary of Local DSP Outcomes and Additionality
Local DSP responses to digital skills needs reflect the context in which they operate (i.e. funding,
delivery, governance arrangements). There has been a high degree of commonality in the types
of activities delivered, reflecting shared digital skills challenges across the country.
Positive outcomes for local people and communities include:
● increased awareness of digital opportunities amongst young people: Local DSPs
established new routes to engage young people with digital opportunities and
strengthened existing ones, e.g. the Enterprise Advisor network. In Lancashire, following
the success of the first TeenTech Live festival, brought to Lancashire by the Local DSP,
business sponsorship will be sought to hold it on a regular basis. In Cornwall and Isles of
Scilly, the Local DSP supported students to undertake virtual work experience with Screen
Cornwall. They produced films featuring young people who use digital skills as a vital part
of their job, showcasing the breadth of digital opportunities in Cornwall;
● increased digital skills and career opportunities, including for groups underrepresented in the digital workforce: delivery of digital skills bootcamps in the West
Midlands, Lancashire and Heart of the South West prepared people for new careers in
digital roles and included provision targeted at women and disadvantaged groups. A
series of online digital job fairs promoting opportunities in Cheshire and Warrington
attracted over 16,000 views;
● reduced digital exclusion: all Local DSPs increased awareness of the need for skills,
devices and connectivity across all groups. They worked with partners to provide support
for those at risk of digital exclusion, including the over 50s, children and young people.
The evaluation found that more digital skills activity had been delivered over a shorter time period in areas with a DSP when compared to three areas without a DCMS-funded Local DSP. Consultees also stated that the quality of delivery had been enhanced through greater involvement of businesses in steering activity taken forward by the Local DSPs.