Evidencing impact of digital training on women in business

Client: Faster Women
Date: 2016
Work: Impact evaluation

In 2016 we were commissioned to assess the impact of the 'Faster Women' programme which supports women to start and grow their businesses by improving their digital, IT and internet skills.

Our work involved analysis of data before, during and after engaging with services and interviews with a sample of beneficiaries. We profiled the reach and depth of engagement of women participating in the programme and measured changes in behaviour, attitudes, and skills.

The client learned about the impact achieved (including some unexpected benefits for service users). They also gained insights into the profiles and types of beneficiaries engaging with their services and levels of satisfaction with the quality of training provided. They learned about the need to change the format and scoring of their questions, and the approach to when and how feedback and outcomes data is collected.

The client was able to report back on their impact to their funders (The Government’s Equalities Office) and to secure continuation funding for the project.

The work led to a review of the impact of data collection, management and analysis practice across the entire Fastershire programme (a multi-million pound initiative to bring faster broadband to the rural counties of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire).