The firm will work alongside the Wales Institute of Economic and Social Research, Data and Methods at Cardiff University and consultants Old Bell 3 to identify whether the Convergence and Competitiveness programmes are helping alleviate unemployment and tackling economic activity.

IFF will carry out phone interviews with 5,000 people who have recently completed an ESF-funded course or project in Wales to see what impact it has had on their skills and employment status.

Mark Winterbotham (pictured), director at IFF, said: “The European Social Fund provides support to individuals to equip them with the skills they need for employment. This includes interventions to reduce barriers to learning and raise skills as well as helping young people maximise their learning opportunities. The challenge for us is to evaluate the benefits that participants gain from the wide range of courses delivered through the ESF programmes.”