Client
Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP)
Melbourne | 2024
Key Services
Theory of change | Social Valuation | Impact reporting
The Engineering Pathways Industry Cadetship (EPIC) program is an industry-first employment program transitioning refugee and asylum engineers into Victorian major transport infrastructure projects. The program was created in 2019 by Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) in response to:
Over an 18-month period, cadets maintain a full-time employment opportunity with a range of participating employers whilst completing part-time study to equip them with the contextualised skills and knowledge required to work in industry.
‘EPIC program is a pathway to the engineering world and made my dream true, it put me on the right track to start practising as a civil engineer and start my career in Australia after the war that was grinding and destructive which I went through in Syria.’ – EPIC cadet
Think Impact was engaged by the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) to determine the social value created by the EPIC program. The scope of the social valuation focused on the value created for 68 cadets, their family members and government (in their capacity as a provider of income support and the recipient of income tax) from LXRP’s three EPIC cohorts between 2021 and 2024.
Our team worked closely with members of the LXRP team throughout the project to develop the theory of change and to build their capability in interviewing family members of cadets for the social value study. LXRP team members were also involved in reviewing the survey design and validating the social value model.
Following in-depth interviews with cadets and EPIC program partners, and EPIC staff workshops, our team developed a theory of change to communicate the story of how positive change is created for EPIC cadets, their families and government.
Our social valuation study found that a total of $8.8 million in social value is created for EPIC cadets, as well as their families and government. Of this, $4.2 million is created for cadets, which equates to approximately $61,000 of value created per cadet. In addition, $1.4 million of value is created for the family unit (cadets and the family they live with), $0.9m for individual family members and $2.2m for government.
Despite possessing professional skills and engineering qualifications, 80% of cadets reported being unemployed or underemployed (i.e. lower paid work that did not give enough hours and/or did not use their engineering qualifications) prior to joining EPIC. Following the EPIC program, 90% of cadets successfully maintained long-term employment.
‘I have a university degree and 9 years of experience, but doors weren’t opening for me. EPIC gave me the courage to get back to my training ... My kids have been really encouraged. EPIC has meant a change in life not just for me but for next generation too.’ – EPIC cadet
Strengthened career prospects was the most valued outcome reported by cadets, accounting for $2.2 million of the total social value they experience. This outcome was also a crucial enabler for other outcomes experienced by cadets and their family unit, which included:
This study presented a strong case for ongoing funding of a project that is creating life-changing impacts for refugee and asylum seeker engineers.
Read the full report here.
‘The Think Impact team are professional, knowledgeable, and purpose driven. As a client, I felt the team were flexible in meeting our needs and providing a fit-for-purpose experience. I would highly recommend engaging the team for your social impact reporting needs!’ – Manager, Industry Capability and Inclusion, Level Crossing Removal Project
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