Projects

2017 July and November

School Evaluation: Broadhurst Primary School

With expertise in carrying detailed research projects involving interviewing, focus groups and online surveys, the Errigal Group assisted with reshaping the strategic direction of Broadhurst Primary School.
Proving a comprehensive report which analyzed the views of over 100 parents and staff the Errigal Group recommended nine (9) key action points to revitalize the school including the introduction of standardized curricula, revisiting the strategic plan to include performance targets and indicators and the development of a comprehensive Education Management Information System that can be accessed by parents and teachers.

2017 May:

Scoping Mission - TVET Reform Uganda and Kenya (UNESCO)

With Skills Development at the forefront of addressing the youth unemployment UNESCO are embarking on a project to align skills training with the needs of industry to address graduate "skills mismatch".
Through intensive investigations with Government Departments, Industry representatives and alignment with policies, strategic plans and development partners the scoping mission will produce a proposal to harmonize TVET education with the aim of creating systems to harness skills education for the development of local economies.

2015 October & March 2016:

Secondary TVET Curriculum South Sudan (UNICEF/UNESCO)

Development of secondary school TVET curriculum covering 1600 hours of training for Agriculture, Business, Automotive Trades, Construction, Textiles and Hospitality.
The project introduced modular based outcomes based programmes to be delivered over the 4 year secondary school curriculum at specialized TVET Secondary Schools in South Sudan.

2013-2017:

Better Education for Africa's Rise (UNESCO)

The Better Education for Africa's Rise project is a tripartite agreement between the Government of Botswana, the Republic of South Korea and UNESCO to develop demand driven outcomes based curricula for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Botswana.
The team have produced 3 Diploma level programmes: Travel Management, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management representing over 7200 hours of training. These programmes are currently being delivered in Gaborone Technical College and Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education.

2015 April:

Promoting Human Resource Development and Employability through TVET Skills (TEC/HRDC, Botswana)

Abstract and presentation of transformational approaches to developing TVET curricula. Using expertise gathered through the projects listed here, the Errigal Group made the case for transforming TVET practices using accumulated knowledge and practice rather than transposing systems from other countries.

2013 June:

Seoul National University, South Korea

Presentation to International Development Student on Overseas Development Aid. This presentation promoted the transformational approaches used by the Errigal Group and highlighted the success of South to South cooperation around the world.
Using historical statistics from international organizations such as the ILO the Errigal Group advocated for a change in development practices which promote "fit to size" solutions rather than "one size fits all".

2011:

Key Skills Education Analysis (E.U., GoB)

National research project to establish the satisfaction level among key stakeholders into the Key Skills provision for the Botswana Technical Education Programme at Levels 3, 4 and 5. The project was characterized by high levels of responses: 25 employers, over 120 students/graduates, 20 staff members. This was due to the numerous techniques employed including: Focus Groups, Personal Interviews, Traditional Questionnaires, On-line Questionnaires.
The project required the designing of advanced research instruments and methodologies including on-line research methods. Using advanced functions in Excel and SPSS, cross-tabulations and data correlation was used to establish reliable and effective information. A substantial report was produced including details of measures to improve the relevance and interest of the programme. These recommendations where completed in consultation with key stakeholders who provided suggestions for improvements at a specially organized workshop held in Gaborone.

2011:

Work Experience Review (E.U., GoB)

National survey to improve the implementation of Work Experience modules for the Botswana Technical Education Programme. Focus Group assignments and personal interviews were carried out to establish improved implementation procedures.
Modern state of the art technology was used in all aspects of the project including research methodology, instruments, and data analysis. The output from the analysis included improved implementation guides for “students”, “work experience assessors” and “work experience service providers”. These guides were peer reviewed and are currently being implemented in Technical Colleges nationally.

2010/2011:

Learning Needs Survey and Curriculum Review (E. U., GoB)

Commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, this national survey of Technical College staff established statistics relating to their understanding of learning approaches within the education field linking their qualifications, experience and delivery techniques used within the classroom.
Eighty-one members of staff completed questionnaires from 5 Technical Colleges covering 8 different vocational areas. The resultant report, emphasized the need for “Train the Trainer” and “Coach the Learner”, workshops for all college staff.

2010

Information and Communications Technology Industry Research (E.U., GoB)

Research project to establish satisfaction levels amongst key stakeholders for the Advanced Certificate ICT programme offered at Technical Colleges. The project required the design of a research methodology involving multiple approaches for different stakeholders and the use of various methods to ensure maximum collection of data: on-line questionnaires, traditional questionnaires, focus group approaches, and personal interviews.
Respondents included current students, graduates, work placement providers, potential employers and college staff. Although the population size was small the response rates where impressive allowing the production of a substantive report which included high quality data analysis allowing the rewriting and updating of the programmes to suit the needs of the ICT sector within Botswana. These recommendations are currently being implemented at Gaborone Technical College and Francistown College of Vocational Education and Training.

2009:

Key Skills Industry Survey (E.U., GoB)

Substantial research project involving 305 stakeholders including industry representatives, students, graduates and college staff. Taking approximately 1 year to complete this project involved a wide range of data collection methods including postal questionnaires, on-line questionnaires, personal interviews, focus groups and observations.
It covered Gaborone, Jwaneng, Palapye, Selebi Phikwe, Francistown and Maun. Using state of the art technology to assist with data collection and analysis, a substantial report was produced, peer reviewed and validated by Industry participants whose recommendations are currently being implemented at technical colleges country wide.

2010:

ICT Education Analysis - All Sectors (E.U., GoB)

Extensive research project involving 7 Technical Colleges and over 160 staff and students/graduates to gather data and information to establish satisfaction levels and define a way forward for the implementation of Key Skills ICT nationally. The research methodology involved focus groups, interviews and questionnaires to gather data.
The project required extensive traveling throughout the country to meet and discuss issues with relevant stakeholders. The subsequent report was integrated into a substantial document which covered all 6 areas of Key Skills. This report was subsequently peer reviewed by Industry Representatives and the recommendations made were rolled out to all Technical Colleges

2006/2007:

Technology Commercialization - I-Traveller (Ireland)

The Errigal Group was involved in substantial International research to establish the market potential of the i-Traveller product. This product was designed to assist air travellers with luggage weight management before boarding flights. Using innovative on-line research methods, focus groups and observations at airports, this research gathered information from as far afield as the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
The report provided demographic and market segment analysis to establish the need for the product. This successful report was awarded the University of Ulster Technology Commercialization Award and was presented to Invest Northern Ireland for further study and development.

Other projects include:

  • Employer skills requirements for BTEP graduates at Advanced Certificate and Diploma level (2004/2005) - Validation document;
  • Evaluation of the implementation of the BTEP Education strategy for the revalidation of the Foundation and Certificate programmes ICT (2004/2005);
  • Employer skills requirements for BTEP graduates at Foundation and Certificate level (1999/2000)- Validation document;

The above projects represented substantial research within Industry sectors, involving employers, trainers, students and graduates. They employed a range of research methodologies including secondary research, interviews (telephone and personal), questionnaires (online and postal), focus groups and observation of work practices. The data collected was analyzed using Excel and SPSS and the results collated to create extensive reports including recommendations, suggestions and proposals based on the analysis.