Policy Advice & Research

The New Engineering Foundation’s Policy Advice focuses on government and public sector departments as well as charitable trusts and non-governmental organisations.

 

Sound analysis and an independent viewpoint go to the very heart of the services that we provide to our partners and stakeholders. 

 

Our Policy Advisory activity is designed to provide:

• Research & Analysis
• Programme and Resource Development
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Dissemination Activities

Research & Analysis

 

Research is both educational and informative. Through research we seek understanding of complex behavioural, social and economic issues. Whatever the initiative is, preliminary research is often fundamental because it ensures that progress can be made from an informed position. It also provides the rationale for intervention and the confidence to proceed.

 

This activity is designed to provide our partners and stakeholders with evidence based information through undertaking such activities as:

• Base-line studies
• Impact studies
• Economic analysis / sector analysis
• Benchmarking
• Mapping provision of services
• Supply and demand analysis

Programme & Resource Development & Management

 

We have experience in developing, planning and managing programmes on behalf of non-government organisations (NGOs) and grant awarding charitable trusts. We are used to providing clients with regular reporting and programme evaluation and assessment.

 

NEF has the experience and the in-house expertise to run complex programmes using our:

• Knowledge of a wide range of policy sectors
• Tried and tested models that can be adapted to suit any programme
• Objective viewpoint, and
• Proven project management capability

The New Engineering Fellowship Scheme is already delivering many tangible benefits to colleges, their E & T lecturing staff and students and the sponsoring companies as well as achieving recognition by Government officials and ministers, industrialists and educationalists.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation

 

Providing regular monitoring and independent evaluation are essential steps in any funded programme, in order to provide sponsors with the necessary feedback on the performance and impact of such initiatives.

 

NEF has the capability and the tools to undertake programme monitoring and evaluation, and to answer our partners and stakeholders’ questions such as:

• Will the programme / project / action plan / policy / strategy work?
• How is it doing and what is working well (and not so well)?
• What difference has it made?
• What recommendations can be developed?

The findings from the monitoring and evaluation activities can help our partners and stakeholders inform their future work and direction.

 

Dissemination and Communication

 

Disseminating research results to key stakeholders and communicating the research findings, project outcomes or programme details to a target audience is a key objective for us. 

 

However, ensuring that the key messages are received and understood can be a complex and challenging task.

 

Our aim is to optimise the impact of communications by combining the most relevant techniques available. We work with our clients to define the target audience, desired reach and tone of the campaign. Then we prepare a recommendation to fit their budget and timescale.

 

We provide advice across the full ‘communications mix’ to ensure an integrated and effective campaign.

 

The tools that we use to achieve this can range from running a workshop or conference through to producing e-based solutions and printed materials.