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Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

Quality standards are sometimes used to certify practices or products, as in
the +development project, in Greece, or to accredit organisations, as with the
National Careers Service in the United Kingdom, which applies the matrix
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standard ( ) to subcontractors.
Other monitoring and evaluation methods mentioned were informal
discussions, self-evaluation of staff, evaluation seminars and focus groups.

5.1.4. Outputs of guidance for immigrant integration
Although outputs are indicated, they are frequently unreported, partly due to the
lack of systematic monitoring and follow-up mechanisms, but also due to the
immaterial and not (immediately) accountable nature of some the guidance
process outcomes. Many of the outputs are declared in an imprecise way: better
integration, higher employability, increased self-awareness and motivation, better
information, better job and geographic mobility, improvement in service
coordination.
There are, nevertheless, reported and measured programme impacts, which
include rates of completion of programmes, obtained traineeships/internships,
successful business start-ups, VET and education enrolment, qualifications
obtained (after training, validation or recognition), developed skills, job
placements, coverage rate of target communities, stability of job placements.
Most of these outcomes require standardised measurement and registry systems
at the beginning and at the end of programmes, as well as in later periods.
Follow-up after the completion of programmes is a need acknowledged by
most of the promoters and national representatives contacted. This is connected
to the absence of standardised and shared national evidence-bases for guidance
activities. Frequently guidance activities will not be well-monitored, even if they
are entrenched in activities which have adopted structured monitoring and
accountability, such as education, training and employment services.
One example of an effort to develop more comprehensive evidence on the
effects of guidance on immigrants’ integration comes from the London mayor’s
office. The Assembly Economic Committee recently published a report on models
of interesting policies and practices to inform an effective approach to adult
information, advice and guidance (IAG) design and to offer potential evidence-
based policy options for consideration. Eight key themes were identified by the

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( ) The matrix standard is a UK-based national standard developed by the former DfES
and the Guidance Council defining best practice in the delivery of IAG, focusing on
key activities relating to the delivery of the service and its management
http://matrixstandard.com/the-standard/the-standard/ [accessed 3.4.2014].

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