Evaluation of Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing
In January 2021, the University of Sunderland enlisted the services of ERS to conduct an interim summative assessment of the Internships and Enterprise Phase 3 Project. This initiative, which commenced in October 2018 and was initially planned to conclude in March 2021, received an extension to June 2023 following a successful application to the then Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The purpose of our evaluation was to comprehensively examine the project's progress, its alignment with strategic policies, and its impact on the different stakeholders involved.
We took a multi-faceted approach to assess the Internships and Enterprise Phase 3 Project:
Documentation and data review: We embarked on an in-depth review of project documents and data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project, uncovering how initial goals had been or modified as the project unfolded.
Strategic policy fit: To gauge the project's alignment with relevant strategic policies, we examined the extent to which the initiative corresponded with broader regional or national policies. This involved reviewing whether the project's objectives resonated with governmental priorities and strategies in the innovation, skills and business support sector.
Progress assessment: We also assessed the project's progress by scrutinising its progress towards pre-established targets. We examined whether the project was on track to fulfil its original goals, and if not, what deviations or changes had occurred. We then made recommendations as to how the team could go about overcoming barriers to achieving targets.
Stakeholder and SME interviews: To provide a comprehensive view of the project's management and operations, ERS conducted interviews with various stakeholders. This included interactions with delivery staff, who were responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project, as well as wider stakeholders who had an interest in or were affected by the project. Importantly, ERS also interviewed SMEs that participated in or were affected by the project to gather insights into their experiences, challenges, and any outcomes they had experienced so far.
In conclusion, our evaluation of Internships and Enterprise Phase 3 by ERS provided a comprehensive understanding of the project’s evolution, alignment with strategic policies, progress, and outcomes achieved so far. We were also able to clearly articulate how outcomes had been achieved, and how they could be strengthened in future. Our findings affirmed the project's positive impact and its vital role in supporting local businesses and communities. Our insights and recommendations may be used to inform future decision-making, helping to ensure the project's continued success as it progresses towards its extended conclusion in June 2023.