Social Utility Model

The idea of measuring VET performance is linked to the idea of measuring its impact on society. EVTA decided to combine the analysis of excellence with the analysis of Social Utility, linking the measurement of VET performance to a concept of accountability (and transparency) towards society. Starting from the model developed by AFPA in France and from the state of the art of existing quality systems at European, national and regional level, EVTA and its members decided to work on the development of a solid, shared and transferable model to measure VET social utility, based on a specific pool of qualitative and quantitative indicators. This new approach was the basis of the project “VET Social Utility Monitor – SOLITY”, funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

The model is based on 5 AXES:

Social Utility Criteria: Fighting against mass unemployments, support to a sustainable return-to-work

The first axis is focused on measuring VET providers’ contribution to the fight against mass unemployment, support to return to work. The concept of “return-to-work” is central for the evaluation. However, other additional dimensions are considered relevant for contributing to a better integration into the labor market, such as sustainability of employment and correspondence between the received training and the obtained job.

    • ISU 1.1 Volume of trained and/or supported customers
    • ISU 1.2 Access rate of jobseekers to training programmes
    • ISU 1.3 Rate measuring the transition from pre-qualification to qualification of jobseekers
    • ISU 1.4 Access rate to employment for training provider customers
    • ISU 1.5 Permanent employment rate of training provider customers
    • ISU 1.6 Rate of coeherence between found job and training received

Social Utility Criteria: Sustainable employability, preservation of working competences economically strategic

This second axis aims at measuring the VET providers’ contribution to the development of human capital both individually and collectively. The focus is on four dimensions: fighting against illiteracy, improving employability, boosting social promotion, and monitoring indicators for skills support at national level.

    • ISU 2.1 Rate of illiteracy at the beginning of training
    • ISU 2.2 Rate of customers enrolled in training programmes leading to strong and reliable occupations
    • ISU 2.3 Success rate of customers achieving the final qualification
    • ISU 2.4 Rate of customers acquiring a higher qualification than the entry one
    • ISU 2.5 Rate of customers attending refresher courses
    • ISU 2.6 Rate of national training profiles

Social Utility Criteria: Access to training or support to all without discrimination due to territories and/or income, equality, job security

The third axis evaluates social utility related to those categories of special public, with the aim of fighting the exclusion of individuals, against inequalities. It foresees the analysis of the quality of support services and the access for all to training, indicators for the benefit of employees and workers with disadvantages, recognition of prior learning.

  • ISU 3.1 Rate of supported customers (Psychopedagogical support)
  • ISU 3.2 Abandon rate dynamics of unemployed customers
  • ISU 3.3 Rate of customers participating in national training programmes
  • ISU 3.4 Rate of customers with no qualification entering training
  • ISU 3.5 Number of customers with disabilities entering training
  • ISU 3.6 Number of customers validating their prior learning (acquired experience)

Social Utility Criteria: Maintaining the social bond of proximity to the community

The fourth axis focuses on VET providers’ contribution to territorial and regional development. Participation to territorial balance (presence in revitalisation areas, tool for indirect spatial planning) and the link with social proximity are key features. Openness to other stakeholders at local level is very appreciated, given the importance of integration and coherence with regional strategies. Finally, the role of the VET providers for the anticipation of economic changes.

  • ISU 4.1 Rate of rural/urban areas less than one hour away from the training centre facilities
  • ISU 4.2 Rate of customers trained in their “employment area”
  • ISU 4.3 Rate of customers in “proximity” training
  • ISU 4.4 Number of local partnerships
  • ISU 4.5 Number of employees with uncertain jobs, threatened or lost and supported by professional security contracts or job-saving plan

Social Utility Criteria: Governance, social and managerial innovation

The fifth axis focuses on internal practices: evaluation of wage hierarchy in line with the practices of the Social and Solidarity Economy sector; diversification of employees and internal commitment towards the employment of people with disadvantages. Social indicators are also monitored to measure the access to internal training and the share of precarious work (temporary contracts, interim).

  • ISU 5.1 Hierarchical salary difference
  • ISU 5.2 Rate of customers with disabilities vs national rate
  • ISU 5.3 Rate of female managers
  • ISU 5.4 Accident frequency index
  • ISU 5.5 Precarious employment rate
  • ISU 5.6 Internal training access rate