Evaluation for Programs, Services & Businesses
Formative Evaluation of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDAs) for the Evaluation and Data Development Branch, HRSDC), 2007.
Know: We conducted a major evaluation of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDAs) involving an international literature review and fourteen detailed case studies of First Nations, Inuit and Métis AHRDA holders throughout Canada, as well as the role of HRSD/Service Canada and the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC).
Collaborate: The project was initiated and funded by HRSD/Service Canada, the Department that supports many Aboriginal training and skills development programs across Canada. The key program in 2007 was the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), which was soon to be up for renewal.
Connect: The AHRDS funded a number of regional Agreement solders (AHRDAs), which provided important labour market and skills development services to Aboriginal communities throughout Canada. Our task was to prepare an international literature review on best practices, and a series of detailed case studies from across the country to measure the impact, outcomes, cost-effectiveness and success of the AHRDAs prior to the renewal of the Strategy.
Act: We assembled a team of researchers and consultants from across Canada, including several Aboriginal members, and trained the team on our evaluation methods and tools prior to their deployment to communities to conduct research. Researchers met in the communities with funders, AHRDA staff, clients and other local resources. This research was supplemented by document reviews, key person interviews, detailed socio-economic profiles of the region served, an assessment of data at NHQ and the AHRDA, and for eight AHRDAs, focus groups with parents of children in child care. The evaluation results were summarized by us in a roll-up findings report, which was subsequently expanded into a full report on the evaluation by HRSDC.
Succeed: The information from the formative evaluation was used to provide context and to help with planning for a subsequent summative evaluation (in which we also participated) and for eventual renewal of the program.