Kada Research and GC Insights were commissioned by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to shape it’s evidence-led, co-designed Employment and Skills Strategy for the next five years. The Strategy highlights the gaps and opportunities for Rotherham, providing a clear implementation plan to reduce inactivity, raise skills and build a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Rotherham has faced challenges in relation to its employment and skills landscape in recent years. Rising inactivity due to long-term illness, a higher proportion of residents with no qualifications than the national average and increasing numbers of young people who are NEET were identified as key challenges to be addressed through the Strategy.

To develop the Strategy, Kada and GC Insights undertook a comprehensive evaluation combining an in-depth desk review of labour market data, policy frameworks and benchmarking against comparator areas alongside extensive stakeholder engagement. This included consultations and workshops with council officers, employers, education and skills providers, health partners and voluntary and community sector organisations. With an emphasis on co-design, emerging findings, priorities and actions were frequently tested with stakeholders to ensure that Strategy was practical, inclusive and reflected Rotherham.

The strategy identifies three core missions:

1. Enable more residents to progress towards and into good work
   Supporting people to participate in the labour market, overcome barriers to employment and access fair, rewarding jobs with opportunities to progress.
2. Invest in residents’ knowledge and skills
   Ensuring residents can access lifelong learning and develop the skills, qualifications and competencies needed to enter, sustain and progress in work.
3. Secure a resilient, diverse and skilled workforce
   Helping employers attract, develop and retain the talent they need to grow, while building a workforce that can adapt to economic change and future opportunities.

To achieve these, Rotherham can build on its established partnerships and foundations and existing skills and employment support programmes, whilst harnessing the opportunities of Local Trailblazer activity and Connect to Work funding. It was found that residents facing health-related barriers to work, young people, and those with SEND require additional, tailored support. There are opportunities to align growth and better define transmission pathways with growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

In November 2022, a devolution deal was agreed by the four upper tier councils of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council. The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is led by Mayor Claire Ward, elected as the first Mayor of the East Midlands region in May 2024. With two cities, large towns, major industries, technology strengths and energy innovations, the EMCCA area is transitioning from its industrial legacy to industries of the future.

To inform its thinking and investment innovation, EMCCA required a robust evidence base of its innovation strengths and assets. EMCCA commissioned Kada Research to comprehensively scope out the area’s innovation performance, strengths under priority sectors and new technologies reshaping the local economy by driving growth, creating new industries and transforming existing new ones.

An extensive desk review was undertaken, providing an assessment of the EMCCA area’s innovation economy, the regional innovation investment landscape, its performance in higher education innovation measures and its innovation activity and adoption. Following the establishment of EMCCA, the authority identified four key priority sector areas to focus on in their Corporate Plan. These included: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative and digital and life sciences and MedTech. The study focuses on the innovation strengths and niches in these four priority sector areas. In addition to the desk research, thirty-five regional stakeholders were consulted to inform this study. These engagements provided rich intel on EMCCA strengths from academia, further and higher education providers, industry and cluster leaders and representatives.

The advanced manufacturing sector was found to be a valuable asset in the region, with significant capabilities in aerospace, rail and automotive sectors and the power electronics, machines and drives sub-sectors. There is a large-scale opportunity for growth in the clean energy sector in the EMCCA area, with investment in STEP able to propel the region into the next generation of nuclear energy production and drive new opportunities across the supply chain. The creative and digital sector is growing and has initiatives to build on, including gaming strengths, immersive technologies and design. Life sciences in the EMCCA area have strong pedigree that requires more investment in early-stage companies. There is a rich seam of health and drug discovery work.

The study concludes with twenty tailored recommendations to increase innovation and collaboration which are designed to support research and innovation strengths identified within priority sectors and the region’s outstanding assets, companies, institutions and infrastructure.

If you are thinking about commissioning a similar study, or would like to find out more about this study, talk through an idea or work with us, please get in touch at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

In 2025, Rotherham became the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, an initiative that aims to celebrate young people and their creativity. It provided young people in Rotherham with a variety of opportunities to take part in culture with a focus upon local pride and creative skills. As part of this award, over the course of 2025, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council ran a variety of town centre events and festivals, ranging from Christmas Light Switch ons to celebrations of nature and sustainability.

Kada Research were commissioned by the Council to evaluate these events and conducted seven event evaluations across the course of the year, each commissioned and evaluated separately.

The events evaluated were primarily family-oriented with an emphasis on cultural and creative activities and performances and included:

• Signals Festival Evaluation (February 2025) – Centred around promoting young musical talent in Rotherham.
• Town Centre Events (March 2025) – Externally run events occurring weekly in Rotherham Town Centre in March 2025, offering a range of cultural, music and sport activities.
• Roots Festival (March 2025) – A festival celebrating nature and sustainability, consisting of a carnival procession of local community groups.
• WOW Festival (May 2025) – A festival celebrating women, girls, trans, and non-binary communities.
• UPLIFT Festival (July-August 2025) – An urban sport and art festival spread across three days in the summer.
• Plug in and Play Festival (October 2025) – Centred around encouraging children and families to play interactive, immersive and engaging games.
• Christmas Lights Switch-on Event (November 2025) – A town centre Christmas Light Switch-on featuring seasonal entertainment and activities.

The evaluations aimed to assess the impact of the events including the perceptions of was attendees, stakeholders, and local businesses. Over 600 responses were received from attendees via in-person and online surveys. Numerous stakeholder interviews were conducted with both event delivery partners and artists involved in the events. Consultations were also conducted with local businesses, that were involved with or impacted by the events. Kada’s primary research captured information on the following:

• The age profiles, social demographics, and travel methods of attendees.
• How people found out about the events and whether they had been before.
• Attendees spend and economic impact.
• Overall festival experience.
• Suggested improvements/changes for future events.
• Young person feedback on perceptions of the events and Rotherham town centre.
• Stakeholder views on event delivery, successes, and challenges.
• Local businesses perceptions of the events and the impacts they have on high-street businesses.

Events frequently received a 90%+ satisfaction rate, and attendees often said they were likely to attend similar events. In addition to the presentation of the primary research findings Kada produced an economic impact assessment for each event, exploring the potential local economic impacts and well-being benefits generated through each event. When combining the total estimated economic benefits of each event, the seven events produced an estimated £1.6 million of benefits.

The evaluations demonstrated that town centre events in Rotherham are building a mix of retained visitors and attracting new visitors and concluded with a set of recommendations relating to delivery, impact, and future, to help the council to continue to deliver a programme of successful and growing events.

Education and access to high skilled training is a key driver of social mobility. Yet, there must also be the economic opportunities to utilise these skills and unlock higher wages. The low-skilled and low-growth economy of Wakefield provides shareable lessons for many de-industrial cities and demonstrates the importance of place-based understanding and responses.

The Wakefield Futures Commission brought together expertise in education, business leadership, public policy and employment and launched in December 2024. The Commission investigated the current and future economic and educational landscape in relation to higher-level skills, to identify barriers to participation, and to consider how to drive change in Wakefield. The Wakefield Futures Commissions work culminated in an evidence-based report with clear recommendations geared around three propositions: a commitment to change, a vision for innovation, and a coherent framework for change. The report was launched in September 2025 and welcomed by local leaders; it can be found here: Wakefield Futures Report – Wakefield Council

Kada Research supported the Commission including extensive primary and secondary research, evidence sessions, and secretariat support.

The research process included:

• A resident survey with nearly 800 responses
• Focus groups and interviews with young people, learners, and people out of work who live in Wakefield
• Interviews with stakeholders and local employers
• Extensive secondary research including data analysis and desk review

The research found:

• Wakefield’s recent economic growth has been driven by low-skilled industries. Increasing productivity levels in Wakefield to the West Yorkshire average would see an extra £533 million of GVA to the local economy.
• Wakefield’s economic strengths include advanced manufacturing, creative and cultural industries, logistics, and renewable energy, green construction, and the decarbonisation of the wider economy.
• Data analysis showed qualification levels within Wakefield’s adult population were significantly under national and regional averages.
• The resident survey found a strong appetite for learning from Wakefield residents, as well as a strong belief in the importance of education for improving life chances and increasing opportunities.

The final report presented bold solutions to tackle Wakefield’s low skilled, low productivity, and low wage economy. It outlined that to unlock Wakefield’s potential; a coherent and coordinated plan is needed. Changing the economy, employment and skill levels in Wakefield involves growing higher-skill employment and simultaneously building skill levels. The recommendations included the development of the ‘Wakefield Futures Centre’ which will lead innovation in the economy, support the development of skills in future-facing industries and encourage innovative delivery models which allow a wider range of people to access opportunities.

If you would like to work with us, talk through an idea or hear about this work you can contact us at sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk

Kada Research were commissioned by Bradford Council to conduct an evaluation of a suite of projects under their Hyper Local UKSPF Programme. The programme received £7.88 million in UKSPF funding, consisted of 49 individual projects across all five West Yorkshire local authority areas and took a bespoke approach to support delivery based on local community needs.

The evaluation focused on 10 varied projects, ranging from the creation of new green spaces in inner city areas, youth engagement across diverse communities, one-to-one enterprise support and supporting young adults who face barriers to accessing work. The method centred on a theory-based approach, drawing on a range of qualitative and quantitative research sources to assess the extent to which the programme had delivered appropriate value for money interventions, and which should be supported in the event of future funding.

The evaluation concluded that, overall, the programme has performed strongly against its contracted output targets in particular evidencing strong performance via projects under the  people and skills investment priority. Delivery stakeholders also cited several wider benefits, such as health and wellbeing support for young people in local communities, support for the development of social enterprises, community cohesion as a result of the development of green spaces.

The majority of Hyper Local activity has given rise to community, wellbeing and social benefits, rather than directly generating jobs or economic impacts. The evaluation process included a review of social benefits that have been achieved and their monetary value. The benefits for which an estimate has been made include public realm created or improved, volunteering opportunities supported, people sustaining engagement with a voluntary or local organisation and people gaining qualifications, licences or skills

Based on the monitoring data available and using benchmark data to fill data gaps, the combined value of the net economic and social benefits of the Hyper Local programme is estimated to be £15.6m. This compares to total expenditure of £8.1m. An estimate of the programme’s Return on Investment (ROI) is therefore 1.9:1, i.e. each £1.00 of public investment is estimated to generate £1.90 of economic and social value.

There were some lessons learnt around the programme’s governance, linkages between projects, and shortened timelines. The evaluation built on these lessons to suggest a series of practical and actionable recommendations to take forward.

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Kirklees Council to evaluate a suite of projects as part of the £5.82 million Hyper Local UKSPF programme. The evaluation assessed the programme’s strengths and weaknesses and identified lessons to improve delivery and increase the impact of future programmes.

The Hyper Local programme consisted of targeted, UKSPF funded support delivered in all five West Yorkshire local authority areas. The support was tailored to local need and took a bespoke approach to delivery based on local community needs. Of the £30 million UKSPF allocation in West Yorkshire, £5.824 million (19%) was allocated to Kirklees to deliver a suite of capital and revenue funded activities. Kirklees’ Hyper Local programme was comprised of 26 projects, split across the three UKSPF investment themes which aimed to deliver ambitions of improving local pride in place, increasing life chances, helping spread and create opportunity and build a sense of community and belonging.

Kada’s evaluation focussed on ten of these projects which included a range of activities from New to English support to a Participation in the Arts and Creative Economy (PACE) project, as well as a standalone Safety of Women and Girls project in Kirklees. The evaluation followed a process and theory-based approach, drawing on a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the effectiveness of delivery processes and evidence the programme’s impact.

Projects performed well and overachieved against the majority of profiled outputs and outcomes. Delivery stakeholders cited several wider benefits including digital and social inclusion, regeneration benefits, societal awareness and advocacy, progression towards volunteering, learning and employment, and community cohesion. The economic impact assessment of the projects evaluated found that £6.9m net benefits have been estimated to be generated, with a return on investment of 1.2:1. Potential total benefits (including those yet to be secured) against total programme spend generated a return of investment of 2.5:1.

The evaluation concluded that the Hyper Local programme had delivered many successes, and a range of impacts. The evaluation built on these lessons learnt to suggest a series of recommendations to take forward.

The Kirklees UKSPF team outlined:

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on behalf of the Yorkshire Growth Hub Cluster to conduct a deep dive into Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector. The commission covered Yorkshire’s four combined authorities: Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNCA).

Kada’s commissioned work provided insights into the sector makeup, sector health, the range, scope and nature of the Yorkshire’s business support network, manufacturing business perspectives, and business support best practice. Additionally, Kada provided a series of recommendations on how Growth Hubs can address challenges, improve the impact of their support, increase collaboration and replicate successful models from other regions.

The research followed a phased design with each stage building on the last. It combined qualitative depth with quantitative breadth to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the region’s manufacturing landscape. Firstly, a literature and policy review was undertaken to establish the contextual foundations of the sector. Next, focus group discussions were held across the four sub-regions to identify business challenges and opportunities. Building on these insights, a survey of 215 manufacturing businesses was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of key issues. To explore these findings further, in-depth interviews were carried out with a further 55 businesses. Finally, 47 interviews with stakeholders including industry bodies, local government, and training providers offered wider perspectives and contextual nuance.

This very well received commission showed that Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector has shown clear resilience with the number of firms across the region returning to pre-2018 levels in 2024. This was largely driven by growth in West Yorkshire and stability in HEY and York and North Yorkshire. Economic output has also grown by an impressive 10% across all sub-regions. The region retains key strengths and specialisms in sectors such as food and drink, chemicals, rubber and plastics, positioning Yorkshire competitively at a national level. Key challenges facing the sector include skills shortages, access to finance, and fragmented business support. Identified opportunities for advanced manufacturing included defence procurement, sustainability solutions, and driving productivity improvements through digitalisation. Stakeholders called for clearer support pathways, improved infrastructure, and a stronger pipeline of skilled talent to sustain long-term growth.

The research identified five key areas where MCA/Growth Hubs can best support the manufacturing sector in Yorkshire. These are: skills and workforce; capital investment and finance; business support; supply chain resilience; net zero and sustainability.

If you are thinking about commissioning a sector deep dive study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) and the Pathways to Work Commission to carry out in-depth qualitative research with Barnsley residents. The research explored the lived experiences of people who wanted to be in paid work but could not be due to their health and/or caring responsibilities.

The Pathways to Work Commission was created by BMBC and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to investigate how better pathways to work could be created for those who are ‘economically inactive’. An individual is defined as ‘economically inactive’ if they are of working age (16 – 64), not in employment, and not looking for a job. The Pathways to Work Commission report, launched in July 2024 (available here), was based upon multiple pieces of research including the in-depth qualitative research led by Kada. The report highlights the need for more devolved, local solutions to support people who want to enter paid employment but cannot be due to their health and/or caring responsibilities. It also recognises the need to better integrate health services and employment support, a sentiment echoed by the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall at the launch:

Kada’s research was carried out with residents over two phases. The first phase involved research conversations with 37 Barnsley residents who shared their experiences of work, the barriers that prevent them from working, the challenges of being economically inactive, and their aspirations and motivations for the future. The conversations provided rich insights into the realities for Barnsley residents who either want to be in paid work but are unable to or have previous experience of being in this position.

In phase two, four focus groups were held to, firstly, explore further people’s experiences of employment support and, secondly, test which practical solutions are most needed to help Barnsley residents re-enter work. Attended by 18 Barnsley residents, the focus groups brought together people facing similar barriers or living in the same communities. They included individuals from various backgrounds: parents; people with health conditions; people caring for family members with physical or mental health issues; and people accessing support via a community organisation. If you would like to read more about the Kada research with Barnsley resident’s you can find them here.

Our research with residents found experiences of ‘economic inactivity’ are often complex with barriers to entering paid employment evolving over time. The term ‘economic inactivity’ simplifies the diversity of experiences and people, as well as the blurred lines between health, care, and other barriers. The severity of the impacts of experiencing ‘economic inactivity’ is connected to the resources, personal situation, and support networks of the individual. Timely interventions and support can prevent the escalation and multiplication of barriers (described by some as the “spiral”). We found there is a wealth of support available across Barnsley, the majority of which has been experienced positively by those who have engaged with it, particularly the forms of support delivered in communities or tailored to specific needs. However, the support needs to be more visible, easier to engage with, and more joined up. There is a need for personalised support tailored to specific needs, experiences, and circumstances. Crucially, long-term support is needed to give people the best chance to make sustained changes to their economic circumstances.

Barnsley Council thanked us for the research, adding: “There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and understanding the variety of barriers with a far more personalised approach is key to tackling the problem”

If you are thinking about commissioning research exploring work and health or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned to evaluate the Low Carbon Business Support Programme led by Sheffield City Council and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The aim of the Low Carbon Business Support Programme was to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in SMEs in South Yorkshire. It provided support to help identify, fund, and implement energy efficiency improvements for SMEs and help reduce the barriers to decreasing their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Through the provision of an audit, which provided recommendations for low carbon improvements, and matched financial support, the programme: increased awareness and understanding of the benefits of and options for improving energy efficiency amongst SMEs; increased uptake of energy efficiency initiatives amongst SMEs and reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption. Additionally, the project evaluation anticipated the potential for the project to reduce outgoings for SMEs, improving competitiveness, resilience and productivity.

The summative assessment process aimed to provide an evidence-based evaluation of the Low Carbon Business Support Programme, assessing the project against its objectives and highlighting any lessons learnt for the future. In terms of our approach, a desk review was undertaken assessing the original rationale for the project and how it fit with local, sub-regional and national policy strategies. Performance against ERDF targets and the economic impact of the programme were considered: a robust quantitative impact evaluation of project performance was undertaken including a review of contracted expenditure, outputs, wider employment and GVA gross and net impacts. A value-for-money assessment was also undertaken.

Project beneficiaries were engaged via an online survey to assess the overall impact on businesses. Kada’s researchers also spoke to key stakeholders and delivery partners to assess the effectiveness of the process of delivery, including management, administrative, and delivery mechanisms, as well as operational characteristics. Strengths, value added, challenges and lessons were summarised in the evaluation report.

Businesses providing feedback via the online survey were highly satisfied with the quality of the support they received. Grant recipients found their investments into energy efficiency technologies helped them decrease their energy usage.

Through interviews with the delivery partners and beneficiary feedback, Kada found that the Low Carbon Advisors understood commercial pressures facing businesses. The advisors shaped programme delivery around a clear understanding of the operational difficulties facing businesses. They also helped businesses to improve their understanding of potential energy and carbon savings and supported engagement with the audit reports. Beneficiaries valued the advisors’ use of business terminology to build cost and energy saving understanding.

Bridget Bradbury-Hickey, Project Manager stated:

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk

Kada research, in partnership with Ortus Economic Research, were commissioned by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (now the North East Combined Authority) to undertake a research study to contribute to Our Economy 2023. The annual report provides an update on progress and change in the North East’s economy. The theme for 2023 focused on ‘inclusive productivity’.

Kada’s literature review on inclusive productivity informed a framework for analysing data on productivity levels, productivity drivers, and economic inclusion conducted by Ortus. The data assessed how regions around the world which performed similarly to the North East in 2008 changed over time. Kada then researched policy interventions and their economic impacts to find cases of exemplary performance. We presented the case study regions (West Midlands, New Zealand, Wisconsin, Saxony and the Basque Region) on behalf of the LEP in two afternoon workshops at the Our Economy event at the Catalyst in Newcastle.

The case study selections were made via a three-stage process. First a longlist was established of regions that were historically similar to the North East in performance against three key indicators of inclusive productivity, The second stage looked at more recent data to produce a shortlist of regions that showed similar or exceptional performance compared to the North East, from which policy lessons might be learned. The final stage involved desk research to identify those regions from which policy lessons were available and pertinent; these regions and policy lessons form the basis of the case studies.

The study findings highlighted the challenges that the North East faces such as lower productivity lower disposable income and a higher population living in relative poverty than global regions with similar historical economic performance. A key lesson from the case studies is the need to use new approaches to tackle health inequalities and remove barriers to work such as childcare through social and place-based interventions. The case studies demonstrated several common themes aimed at addressing similar issues to those faced by the North East, such as increasing youth employment and growing employment in a range of important sectors. The case study regions also show that a different economic future – and a positive future for the North East – is possible. The comparator regions have since seen overall better economic performance, growth in productivity, and growing household income, showing a trajectory the North East can aim for.

To see the case studies in full you can visit: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/our-economy-23/our-economy-2023-international-case-studies

To see the full report and wider body of work: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/our-economy-23

If you would like to find out more about our economic development consultancy, are thinking about commissioning a study or if you would like to talk through an idea you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk