European Social Funds Participant Survey: 2015 to 2022

Main findings

• Those participants who undertook an ESF project aimed at participation, the majority reported this was to help them get a job (54%). 
• For those on operations aimed at supporting progression, the main reason was to develop skills and knowledge (46%).
• Of those who withdrew (17%) this was highest among those aged 16 to 24 (21%), those with work limiting health conditions (23%) and those with levels of educational attainment at or below NQF Level 2 (20%).
• Almost three quarters of participants (72%) reported that they had either gained a qualification or units/credits towards a qualification through ESF. 
• The most cited barrier to finding employment was a lack of relevant experience (51%). 
• For those who were previously unemployed or economically inactive and were employed at the time of the survey, two thirds (66%) reported either that their ESF course had helped them to get their current job (52%) or that they had their current job directly because of the course (14%). One third of ESF Participants (33%) however reported that their course had ‘made no difference’. 
• A counterfactual analysis using data from the Annual Population Survey (APS) estimated the impact of ESF participation. This found that those who had participated in ESF operations had a 7-percentage point increase in employment at 12 months (29% compared to 22%).
• The counterfactual analysis also found that those who were considered more employable i.e. had recently been made unemployed and/or redundant, saw a 13-percentage point increase (82% compared to 69%) in employment outcomes at 12 months.
• Participation in ESF NEET operations for 16 to 24 year olds saw a 16 percentage point increase (59% compared to 43%) in the proportion in employment, education, or training at 12 months compared to the matched sample using the counterfactual analysis.
• Of those who participated in projects that support progression at 6 months approximately 4 out of 10 (39%) were working in a different role compared to the one held prior to ESF.
• Of those who had participated in projects to support proregression some reported that the course had helped them to get their current job (45%) or that they had their job directly because of the course (9%). The remaining 46% reported that their course ‘made no difference’. 
• Among those who were not in work prior to ESF and were assisted by operations that supported participation. Almost 6 out of 10 (57%) reported that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had not affected their subsequent progression.
• Among those who were previously in work and were assisted by operations that supported progression, they reported that the industry that they wanted to work in was affected by the pandemic (24%) and 22% reported that there were fewer jobs around.