Maslow, Meaning and Data: Applying interdisciplinary approaches to evaluating a personalised youth employment programme

This research aimed to uncover barriers to unemployment faced by young people who are furthest from the labour market. It arises from a research project, ENLIVEN – Encouraging Lifelong Learning for an Inclusive and Vibrant Europe (2016-2019), funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, which focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to influencing policy formation. An evaluation of a local employment support service for young people unemployed for 12 months or more was undertaken by computer and social scientists within ENLIVEN. Two data mining approaches were utilised: proximity to the labour market indicator analysis and decision tree analysis of programme participant employment outcomes. An important question considered was whether the decision tree analysis would support anecdotal experience from local practitioners which indicated the relevance of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to their work within the context of the most vulnerable young people. It was found by decision tree analysis that young people who possess good levels of confidence, mental health and who have worked before are more likely to secure a sustained employment outcome. These findings can be related to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and support the approach adopted by the Young and Successful programme to aid young people to develop their employability.