Aims:

The aim of this project was to analyse and reflect on the effectiveness of the SET for Life operational framework, with the goal of developing good practice guidelines to inform and enable change in the connection between the world of work and the world of learning.

The good practice guidelines:

• enable cross-sector collaboration and connectivity between education, training and employment
• provide effective pastoral care and support for learners
• develop relevant and specific career pathways, contextualised with real world learning opportunities
• increase workforce capability for employers
• provide transitional support for learners entering the world of work
• assess and support the development of the five foundation elements of literacy.

Methodology:

The action research project included a literature review and interviews with employers, education providers and learners outside of the SET for Life programme, who had been working within the current Vocational Education and Training (VET) training system.

Data was gathered, using the following methods:

• Diagnostic and observational assessments of the five foundation elements of literacy at programme entry and exit.
• Learner self-assessment of their wellbeing at programme entry and exit.
• Monthly digital reflective learner diaries.
• Monthly one-on-one, face-to-face meetings with the learners, following a semi-structured summative assessment process.
• Learner entry interviews at project enrolment.
• Learner exit interviews at the completion of the project.
• Monthly self-assessment of the project's progress completed by the project delivery and governance team.
• Bi-monthly semi-structured interviews with employers of learners engaged with the project.
• Bi-monthly semi-structured interviews with education and training providers of learners engaged with the project.
• Quarterly reflective reviews with a learner’s whānau.