What Works for Adult Online Learning: An Evaluation of the CareerTech Challenge

This evaluation report presents the findings from the project-level evaluation of the CareerTech Challenge, delivered between May 2020 and June 2021. The report examines how the design and delivery of evaluations were undertaken, the findings across process and outcome evaluations and key learning from capacity building support delivered by Learning and Work Institute (L&W). The CareerTech Challenge, launched by Nesta and Nesta Challenges in partnership with the Department for Education in October 2019, aimed to support the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers. The programme was designed to support adults who were most at risk of rapid labour market change. From a wider cohort of 31 innovators, the CareerTech Challenge awarded 11 innovators between £145,000 and £250,000 to design and deliver innovative tech solutions that can build career adaptability skills and/or motivation to learn for people who are most vulnerable to workforce changes. Innovators comprised a mix of tech startups and established education providers. Each innovator designed and delivered a process and outcome evaluation alongside programme delivery to support a better understanding of 'what works' to motivate and engage adults in online learning and equip them with skills for the labour market. Learning and Work Institute acted as the evaluation partner, providing capacity building support to facilitate consistent and robust approaches to self-evaluation. This report aims to identify the overarching design and delivery mechanisms of digital adult learning platforms that support positive outcomes for learners. [This report was co-produced with Nesta (United Kingdom) for the CareerTech Challenge.]