NSW Trade Pathways Program Evaluation
NSW Department of Education | Program Evaluation | NSW, Australia | 2023 - 2024
Evaluation framework developed across 7 program initiatives
Interim findings recommendations implemented during program delivery
Evidence base for program extension to June 2025
Policy and program design recommendations delivered
The Challenge
The NSW Department of Education engaged Sparrowly Group to evaluate the Trade Pathways Program (TPP), which was designed to address NSW Productivity Commission recommendations to increase pathways into trades careers, particularly for women and experienced workers.
The program required a robust evaluation framework to measure outcomes, inform real-time improvements and guide future policy and funding decisions across multiple initiatives and stakeholders.
Key challenges included
Measuring outcomes across diverse training and employment pathways
Aligning evaluation metrics with Productivity Commission recommendations
Integrating quantitative and qualitative data sources across program delivery
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders including participants, employers, training providers and government agencies
Our Approach
Sparrowly Group developed a comprehensive evaluation methodology and program logic framework to assess objectives, outcomes and impact across the TPP initiatives.
Our methodology included
Development of a Program Logic Model and Outcomes Framework
Initiative-specific evaluation methodologies and performance indicators
Analysis of administrative training data including enrolment and completion rates
Stakeholder engagement with employers, training providers, industry training bodies, program recipients and participants
Interim evaluation reporting to enable iterative program improvements
Summative evaluation to inform policy, funding and future program design
Outcomes and Impact
Key Outcomes
Interim evaluation recommendations adopted during program delivery
Evidence-based assessment of TPP alignment with NSW Productivity Commission objectives
Final summative evaluation providing a foundation for future program design
Findings contributed to an extension of the TPP Experienced Workers Initiative to June 2025
Economic and Social Impact
Strengthened pathways into trades careers, including increased participation of women
Improved data-driven decision-making for workforce policy and funding
Enhanced program design capability across NSW training and skills systems
Contribution to long-term skilled workforce development for NSW
