Impact of Motivational Preparation College for Training on Young People

Description of impact

Claire and Simon’s research on the social impact of the Motivational Preparation College for Training illustrated the direct impact of support on young people and staff (Paterson-Young and Denny, 2020). The research findings were used to improve the support offered, including:
• Increased our focus on raising the confidence and self-efficacy of young people.
• Increase our understanding of the effectiveness of MPCT support in improving young people’s wellbeing.
• Understanding the social impact of the MPCT on young people and society.
• Demonstrating the savings to the Ministry of Defence from employing young people from the MPCT (including an estimated added value to the Army of £1,922,503.05).

This allowed MPCT to strengthen and enhance provisions for our young people and staff. The research conducted by the ISII has been successful in showing us the benefits of the MPCT provision, which has allowed us to deliver effective provisions.

Stakeholders/Beneficiaries

Young People; Staff; MPCT; Ministry of Defence.

How have research outputs led to this impact?

Claire and Simon’s research explores the social impact of the Motivational Preparation College for Training illustrated the direct impact of support on young people and staff (Paterson-Young and Denny, 2020). They seek to articulate the impact of the college on young people, with a focus on the impact in relation to physical activity, wellbeing and self-efficacy (Paterson-Young and Denny, 2020). It provides a detailed approach on measuring the social impact of the Motivational Preparation College, with recommendation on improving services outlined in the final research report (outlined below):
• Communication and Feedback: Communication and feedback are essential aspects of effective and sustainable provision. Some parents/carers requested further communication (for example, the communication of closure dates) and feedback (for example, developments) from the MPCT. Ensuring the parents/carers with young people under 18 years-old receive information about their young persons’ progress would address the concerns highlighted by a few parents and improve overall service provision.
• Employer engagement: Employer engagement with the Armed Forces is excellent. Some civilian employers clearly understand the value of the MPC ‘product’. It would have a powerful effect if more employers shared this understanding.
• Maximising impact: There are opportunities to recognise and celebrate further areas of impact (for example, reduction in BMI impacting on health) through social impact measurement. This would require the collection of additional information such as BMI information for learners’ joining and leaving the MPCT.
• Future Evaluation: Further evaluation of the MPCT would enable the MPCT to understand the medium-term and long-term impact of its services on young people. More specifically, there are opportunities for comparing the outcomes of MPCT learners from England and Wales to understand the positives and areas for development in each area.

Impact status	Completed
Impact date	2019 → 2020
Category of impact	03: Good Health and Well-Being (UN SDG), 04: Quality Education (UN SDG), 17: Partnerships for Goals (UN SDG), 10: Reduced Inequalities (UN SDG)
Impact level	Mid Stage Impact