Measuring Social and Psychological Outcomes from Activation Labour Market Programmes in Higher Education: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Following the 2008 recession, Ireland experienced unemployment rates as high as 15% (McGuinness, O’Connell and Kelly, 2014). Policy responses have been through the introduction of upskilling and reskilling through activation labour market policies (ALMPs) in the higher education sector (Department of Education and Skills, 2015). The evidence to date regarding the efficacy of such interventions (e.g., Springboard+) has been concerned with blunt measurements of progression rates, labour market entry, and earnings. The present study explored social capital and social well-being among a sample of 101 participants of Springboard+ programmes at one higher education provider in Dublin. The primary objective of the pilot study is to create and test a research method informed by well validated indicators to inform a larger national study.