Data collection practices on NEETs from Lithuania and Malta
The atWork4NEETs project has come to the end of its 2nd semester and has some exciting news to share: we have worked hard to internally evaluate and select 4 Good Practices (GPs) on data collection and analysis on NEETs.
Our common aim was to find and share the best solutions to identify and track young people who are not in not in education, employment or training.
To identify the 4 GPs you are about to read, the atWork4NEETs partners engaged their stakeholders in a consultation, including surveys, meetings, interviews and workshops.
You can learn more about the first 2 selected GPs through an interview with the project experts below.
Malta: Census on NEETs for the Youth Guarantee (YG)
Amber Darmanin from JOBSPLUS Malta
Could you kindly describe your practice?
The census carried out to analyse the NEET population aims to understand in detail several important characteristics about this particular group with a very low margin of error. It includes several questions about their employment expectations, educational background, economic status, and their knowledge of green jobs and IT skills.
Which are the elements that make your practice a good one?
Our persistence in using online, email, and traditional postal campaigns has been key to gathering information. The accuracy and credibility of the quantitative research relied heavily on the sample design. We made every effort to distribute the questionnaire across the entire target population, resulting in a highly representative final sample.
What makes it easily replicable in different contexts?
Primary data collection provides vital first-hand information that is more accurate than secondary data. This data is considered more reliable, authentic, and objective, tailored specifically to NEETs' needs. It can be scaled to a larger population if the NEET population is identified and resources are sufficient. The statistical report includes a detailed methodology to ensure the research is replicable.
“Dos and dont’s” for anyone across Europe willing to adopt your GP: fire away!
It is crucial to act swiftly between compiling the sampling frame and conducting data collection to avoid excluding participants who are no longer NEETs and to account for those who become NEETs after the frame is compiled. To improve response rates and accuracy, various campaigns are recommended. A direct mail campaign has also been devised, sending letters to participants' homes to encourage their involvement and highlight the importance of the research.
Lithuania: Track-IN. Public Employment Services (PES) tracking effectiveness in supporting rural NEETs
Aivaras Pranarauskas from Lithuanian PES
Could you kindly describe your practice?
Through the Track–in Project, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants, a survey tool was developed by a consortium of 11 entities. The University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE - lead partner), Institute of Social Sciences – University of Lisbon, University of Girona, Vilnius University, Naples Parthenope University, University of Tartu, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, South-West University, Universidad de Malaga, University of Heidelberg and ILO, collaborated to create this tool aimed at measuring the effectiveness of youth policies.
Upon consulting Vilnius University, it transpires that there is a lack of studies on how PES track their impact on youths and deliver YG services, particularly in rural areas and in assessing the quality of PES delivery and the real needs of NEETs.
Which are the elements that make your practice a good one?
There are two surveys: one for NEETs and one for PES. The NEETs survey, though time-consuming, provides a detailed profile with information typically not collected by PES. The PES survey aims to identify gaps between policymakers' initial plans and the actual delivery of services.
What makes it easily replicable in different contexts?
The survey tool can be adopted by other countries and easily translated into any language. Copies of the survey tool for PES staff and NEETs are available via the Qualtrics platform.
“Dos and dont’s” for anyone across Europe willing to adopt your GP: fire away!
Consider adopting this practice if you aim to gather more information about NEETs in your country and seek innovative ideas for implementing the YG. However, avoid proceeding if you lack the ability to influence policymakers and flexible in implementing YG initiatives.
Disclaimer: The Track-In tool is owned by ISCTE and the project consortium who developed it through funding from the EEA and Norway Grants. The Lithuanian PES, as part of the atWork4NEETs project, consulted Vilnius University as a stakeholder from Lithuania, who provided further insights that can influence the YG policy at the regional and interregional level.
If you’re eager to learn more about the good practices we just presented, please register to our webinar and join us on Feb.20th 2024.