Expression of Interest are invited for Developing the Framework and Platform for Tracer Study System for ITI Graduates in Maharashtra. Description: Background:The government of Maharashtra, with financing from the World Bank, is implementing Development of Applied Knowledge and Skills for Human Development (DAKSH) in Maharashtra. The program development objective of DAKSH is to improve skills and entrepreneurship training for enhanced employability in Maharashtra. Result area 1 of the program focuses on institutional strengthening for high-quality market relevant training with robust MIS. Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Department (SEEID), Government of Maharashtra acts as the nodal agency for skill development initiatives in the state and is the implementing agency for the DAKSH Maharashtra program. The department works towards its objectives largely through three institutions:1. Directorate of Vocational Education & Training (DVET) that directly manages the 400+ government ITIs and regulates 500+ private ITIs in the state. 2. Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) that manages central and state government programs in short-term skilling with training partners.3. Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in the state through various programs including training. The program boundary for DAKSH includes training at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) as well as short-term training on NSQF compliant programs through accredited training providers. There are several interventions including on improving the infrastructure, training quality, relevance, and job preparedness. To augment the institutional capacity of the department in conjunction with DAKSH Maharashtra program, the International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD) has received a grant from the Korea - World Bank Group Partnership Facility (KWPF). IBRD plans to utilize a part of this grant to help develop and demonstrate a good model for periodic tracer study of ITI graduates in the state. Objectives of the assignment:The objective of this assignment is to develop a conceptual framework for tracing ITI graduates into the labor market and create a technology platform to aid in data collection and analysis for the exercise. While the institutions regularly collect a lot of data from their current students, very few institutions have any information on their pathways after graduating from the institution. The missing data on graduate outcomes though, if collected, could benefit all stakeholders of the system. It would provide the institutions and the government rich data to improve the program offerings, design, and delivery. For prospective students and their parents, the data would help them select the right program and institution. The data would also potentially be useful for the industry to shape the partnership with the institutions.Approach:Graduate tracer studies trace the graduates of a program in the labor market to evaluate the outcomes and understand the relevance of the program to the labor market. Most tracer studies focus on 4 aspects employment rate, employment quality, relevance of education/training to employment, and skill gap. Key aspects of tracer study design are as follows:1. Type of tracing: Graduate tracing can be (a) cross-sectional which is a point in time snapshot of multiple graduating classes, or (b) longitudinal where one graduating class is tracked multiple times as they traverse in the labor market. In this case, the ITI trainees will be traced 6 months after graduation. However, the technical tools should be robust enough to accommodate longitudinal tracking, if required in future.2. Sampling strategy: While some tracer studies track the entire graduating population, others track a representative sample. In this case, the survey will be sent to all graduates of selected ITIs (mix of public and private) with the objective of maximizing the response rate.3. Tools for tracing: The tracer study will be conducted and analyzed using following two tools to be developed:a. A survey tool: to collect information from the students and then uniquely identify each student with an ID to collect further information from them 6 months after graduation. (see Annexure I for draft questions)b. Analysis tool: to analyze the responses and generate actionable insights4. Data collection instruments: The digital survey tool could be administered through web-based surveys, interactive chat-based survey, interactive voice response (IVR) survey, as well as computer assisted telephonic interview (CATI). To maximize the response rate, multiple channels could be utilized, including calling and messaging services to nudge graduates to fill the survey. The web-based survey should have mobile-friendly interface. 5. Qualitative data: In addition to the survey data, tools like focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) could be utilized to supplement information on qualitative parameters such as quality and relevance of training program, skill gaps, etc. 6. Analysis: The tool should utilize descriptive as well as inferential statistics for univariate and multivariate analysis of survey data. In the future, with longitudinal tracking in place and data available for multiple cohorts, cross-cohort comparison and time-series analysis should be possible. 7. Data privacy and security: The study should comply with relevant state and country regulations on data privacy and information security. There should be an explicit consent statement at the beginning of the survey. The tool should anonymize all personal data, and only aggregate data should be available for public consumption. 8. Institutionalization: The study should establish the framework and lay down the requirements to conduct the study on annual basis. Knowledge transfer documentation should clearly describe the methodology and analysis frame. Scope of work:The scope of work of the agency will include the following: 1. Conceptual framework: Based on the objectives and approach described above, the agency will develop and submit to the client for approval a conceptual framework for conducting the graduate tracer study.2. Development of tools: The agency will develop technology tools for data collection and analysis. The tools for data collection and analysis should be suitably integrated to eliminate manual data processing. Data collection tool should be 3. Pilot tracing: The agency will conduct pilot tracing for graduates of class of 2023-24 for one ITI and analyze the findings. The tool will be refined based on learning from the pilot.4. Final tracing: The agency will conduct tracing for all graduates of class of 2023-24 for all selected ITIs and analyze the findings5. Knowledge transfer: The agency will create documentation and user manual for using the tracer study tools including:a. Pros and cons and resources (human and tools) required for tracking future cohorts under various operational models (in-house vs varying degrees of outsourcing)b. Pros and cons (incl. response rate and cost effectiveness) of various outreach and survey modes (online, chat-based, IVR, CATI, telephonic, messaging etc.) based on experience with the cohort traced. Deliverables and timelines: Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/5120/view.html
