Impact evaluation of the Uukkari project

The Ylä-Savo Municipal Federation of Education and TOIMl employment training foundation are implementing the ESR-funded Uukkari project between May 2020 and March 2023. The goal of the project is to develop an operating model that identifies students at risk of dropping out and is able to reduce the number of negative dropouts. A further goal here is to support students to complete the degree.

The goal of the evaluation of the Uukkari project carried out by MDI is to identify 1) the reasons why the total number of dropouts in education has decreased, 2) how the measures of the Uukkari project have affected the total dropout figures, 3) which of the measures tested in the project are most effective in reducing dropout numbers, 4) which actions/issues keep students at risk from dropping out of their studies, and 5) what are the results of the project compared to other services that prevent students dropping out from vocational education.

The evaluation is being carried out as the final evaluation of the project. The evaluation material consists of document analysis (e.g. project application, reports, mapping and self-evaluation material). The existing documentary material is supplemented by interviews with students, project staff, vocational college staff and representatives of the employment training foundation, as well as a results validation workshop at the end of the evaluation.