Tracer Studies: measuring impact of vocational training
Photo © Unsplash/Bernard Hermant
Online
Tracer Studies: measuring impact of vocational training
23 September–18 October 2024
The course is available in English
FOUR WEEKS STEP BY STEP TUTOR-BASED E-LEARNING
Introduction to the course
The ITCILO and ILO's Employment Department, Skills and Employability Branch join forces to bring learners a course on "Tracer Studies" to measure impact of vocational training. Tracer studies or graduate surveys are standardised surveys of graduates from education institutions, which take place some time after graduation or at the end of a training. Tracer studies commonly s topics include questions on study progress, the transition to work, work entrance, job career, use of learned competencies, current occupation and bonds to the education institution (school, centre, university). Tracer studies are common in higher education, but are becoming more and more popular in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Reforms and programmes seeking improvement of TVET systems (you can check our website for the upcoming course on Skills anticipation and matching) try to respond to labour market needs and contribute to overcoming skills mismatch, and support the transition from school to work; to achieve these objectives, TVET institutions need data from tracer studies to measure their effectiveness and the impact they have generated.
Who attends this course?
This course is intended for a wide range of stakeholders, who are interested in learning about Tracer studies, or are currently involved in designing, implementing or monitoring tracer studies, including: - Tracer study practitioners: researchers, school teachers, university lecturers or administrative staff; - Staff of Ministries and public agencies in charge of TVET or skills development at national, regional or sector levels seeking to obtain information and data to inform decision-making; - Research centres and expert networks involved/engaged in carrying out tracer studies for clients; associations and networks with interest in evidence offered by tracer studies; - Social partners and experts who design labour market policies and participate in decision-making processes of approving skill training projects/programmes; - Representatives from enterprises developing modern human resource management strategies; - Experts and technical staff involved in study design and implementation, such as survey managers, data collectors and analysts. - Managers of education institutions and other policy- and decision-makers who want background knowledge about tracer studies.
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to help participants preparing to carry out tracer studies in their respective professional environment with a practical, output-oriented, quality assured approach. Upon completion of the course, participants will have all the necessary tools to:
- plan and design a tracer study with clear objectives;
- develop the questionnaires and roll out the data collection phase;
- analyse data, interpret and present results and apply self-evaluation.
Participants will leave this course connected to a global network of tracer study experts and practitioners which will offer them the opportunity to exchange regularly on this topic after the course.
Modules
This micro-course will consist of the following three learning units:
Unit 1 ● Preparing for a tracer study
- Key concepts, terminologies/definitions
- Tracer study - basic steps, timeline, work tasks & minimum requirements
- Setting key objectives of tracer studies
- The design cycle
Unit 2 ● Rolling Out a tracer study
- Questionnaire modules for a tracer study
- Questionnaire development
- Data collection methods
Unit 3 ● Analyzing and presenting the results of a tracer study
- Data analysis – recommended software, techniques and approaches
- Interpretation of results and practical conclusions
- Presentation and dissemination of results
- Self-evaluation of study quality
Unit 4 ● Individual assignment develop • Your tracer study project
Format and methodology
This innovative e-learning course has been designed according to a learner-centred approach to better involve participants and keep them motivated. It is highly interactive and engaging, using a variety of methods to make the course captivating and relevant.
Each unit is made up of interactive and practice-oriented activities, which take the participant through a systematic learning journey from practice of simpler to more complex concepts, and a proficient know-how on how-to design, and conduct tracer studies in a specific context. The course features interactive practice activities through easy- to-reference infographics, how-to exercises, methodological templates, group work, webinars with experts, self-reflection questions and interactive quizzes.
Through coffee-room discussions and peer-to-peer projects, participants will have the opportunity to learn from international experts and engage in knowledge exchange and co-creation with fellow participants.
The resource gallery provides a compendium of complementary learning resources, case studies and success stories from around the world.
A certificate of participation will be issued for participants who fulfill the criteria inlcuding participation frequency, activity completion and the submission of the individual assignment.
Application
If you wish to participate in this course, please fill in the online application available here: https://oarf2.itcilo.org/DST/A9717164/en by 6 September 2024.
Apply Online: Complete all required fields and attach the necessary documents. The more thorough your application, the smoother your registration process will be, ensuring your participation is secured.
Watch Your Email: We will review applications and contact selected participants via email. You may be asked to provide additional documents or payment details. This process will occur from the training announcement until two weeks before the course starts.
Receive Confirmation and Begin Your Training Journey: Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need to access the online platform and start your training.
About Fellowships
Candidates who have never received a fellowship from ITCILO, women, and persons with a disability will be given priority for fellowships.
