Skills Matter student survey 2010

As part of Skills Matter’s quality improvement work, a student survey was carried out at the end of the 2010 academic year to evaluate the:

• usefulness and relevance of training for practice
• factors which supported or hindered students’ study
• other benefits of training.

Overall, survey findings were encouraging with the majority of participants responding positively to their training.

Key survey findings

• Organisations that students work for were the most important sources of information for programmes attended by students.
• In total, 82 per cent of participants had positive reactions to their training. 
• A strong theme which emerged was that those who perceived greater support from colleagues and organisations/employers had more positive reactions to their training. Other key sources of support were identified as education providers (for example, programme coordinators), family and friends and specific roles within the employment situation such as new graduate coordinators. 
• Key challenges reported by survey participants included maintaining a study-work-life balance, finding time to study and/or getting time off work.
• Key benefits of training reported by survey participants included gaining academic knowledge and applying this to everyday practice. This contributed to an increased level of confidence for many participants.

It is intended survey findings will inform future administration of the Skills Matter programme with respect to further quality improvements. Some findings reinforce quality improvement work Skills Matter is already undertaking; others point to areas where Skills Matter will focus future attention. The above findings have implications not only for Skills Matter, but also for education providers, students and mental health and addiction services (students’ employers).