A discussion paper examined how and why employers co-operate in the provision of training. It argued that this form of co-operation is more prevalent than is often thought, and that it can have a positive effect on the quantity and quality of training.
Source: Howard Gospel and Jim Foreman, The Provision of Training in Britain: Case Studies of Inter-Firm Coordination, DP555, Centre for Economic Performance/London School of Economics (020 7955 7673)
Links: Paper (pdf) | Abstract
Date: 2002-Dec
Researchers examined the extent to which government regulations and codes of practice are used by employers to stimulate workforce development. They found some impact, but only of an indirect kind.
Source: Ruth Rogers, Chris Lewis and Rosanna Alter, Regulatory Approaches to Skills Development, Research Brief RBX08, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
Employers urged the government to build on 'tried and tested' measures for raising low skills, in particular for the seven million adults who lack literacy and numeracy. They also called on the government to drop the idea of legislation giving workers statutory time off for training.
Source: Tackling Low Skills: Finding the right approach, Confederation of British Industry (020 7395 8247)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced new targets for learning and skills among those aged 16 and over. By 2004 the aim will be to increase by three percentage points the number of young people aged 19 receiving a 'level 2' qualification, and by a further three points by 2006. (Level 2 = GCSE grade A* C, Intermediate GNVQ, or Level 2 NVQ) (GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education: GNVQ = General National Vocational Qualification)
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Answers 16.12.02, column 555W, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2002-Dec
The government confirmed that the Learning and Skills Council budget will be in excess of 8 billion in 2003-04, rising to 9.2 billion in 2005-06. The Secretary of State for Education and Skills emphasised that increased investment had to bring about 'radical and sustained improvements, and significantly drive up the country s overall skill levels'.
Source: Press release 5.12.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 7.8
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced details of increased education and skills funding up to 2005-06. The Secretary of State for Education described the increases in school spending as 'unprecedented for a generation', and said that they would be matched with 'real reform to create a world class system of education and training at all ages'.
Source: Press releases 9.12.02 and 19.12.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 9.12.02, columns 22-36, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 19.12.02, columns 67-73WS, TSO
Links: DfES press release (9.12.02) | DfES press release (19.12.02) | Hansard (9.12.02) | Hansard (19.12.02) | Table of 2002 spending review education announcements
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Dec
The Learning and Skills Council published details of its workforce development strategy, with the aim of 'giving young people and adults world-class knowledge and productive skills by 2010'.
Source: LSC Workforce Development Strategy: National Policy Framework to 2005, Learning and Skills Council (0870 900 6800)
Links: Summary (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The annual edition of 'Education and Training Statistics for the United Kingdom' was published. Chapters related to expenditure; schools; post-compulsory education and training; qualifications; destinations; population; and international comparisons. It included a new table reporting UK-wide eligibility for, and take-up of, free school meals.
Source: Education and Training Statistics for the United Kingdom: 2002 Edition, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A joint report by trade unions and employers examined the basic skills challenge facing the United Kingdom. It said that it is 'a national disgrace' that one in five adults do not have the literacy or numeracy skills of most children starting secondary school.
Source: Brushing Up the Basics, Trades Union Congress (020 7467 1294) and Confederation of British Industry
Links: Report (pdf) | CBI press release | TUC press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The government set a new target that, by 2010, 90 per cent of young people by age 22 will have participated in a full-time programme fitting them for entry into higher education or skilled employment.
Source: Press release 27.11.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The government's Strategy Unit published an action plan for a better skilled workforce, setting out how the government will work to increase skills training and development over the next five years (implementing the strategy outlined in a previous report).
Source: In Demand: Adult Skills in the 21st Century - Part 2, Strategy Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 1881)
Links: Report | Report Part 1 (2001)
Date: 2002-Nov
The government announced the indefinite extension of the 'highly skilled migrant programme' (designed to ease immigration for people with advanced skills needed in the United Kingdom economy), and other measures to help ease domestic labour shortages.
Source: Steering a Steady Course - Delivering stability, enterprise and fairness in an uncertain world: Pre-Budget Report November 2002, Cm 5664, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 27.11.02, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Report | Text of Chancellor's speech | HO press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A study examined how training and development are currently organised and resourced in a range of large organisations across the private and public sectors.
Source: A. Carter, W. Hirsh and J. Aston, Resourcing the Training and Development Function, Report 390, Institute for Employment Studies, available from BBCS (01482 224626)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Nov
A report examined the difficulties faced in assessing the need for generic skills, such as numeracy and information technology.
Source: Jessica Pumphrey and Jo Slater, An Assessment of Generic Skills Needs, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
An audit report on the individual learning accounts scheme said that the Department for Education and Skills had no detailed business model or quality assurance for courses; that there were weaknesses in security arrangements; and that the Department failed to monitor closely enough the escalating demand for accounts. (The scheme was abandoned in 2001 after widespread fraud was found.)
Source: Individual Learning Accounts, HC 1235 (Session 2001-02), National Audit Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A report criticised the government's failure to distinguish between good and bad jobs in the pursuit of full employment, and called for action to tackle the low skills equilibrium where low-skill labour and low-skill jobs contribute to a low-skill economy.
Source: Andy Westwood, Is New Work Good Work?, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Paper (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
Skill shortage vacancies in professional occupations increased between 1999 and 2002, according to a survey. Over one in five employers reported an internal skills gap affecting some 1.1 million employees; it was particularly difficult to find suitably qualified people to fill vacancies in the construction, health, and social care sectors.
Source: Jim Hillage, Jo Regan, Jenny Dickson and Kirsten McLoughlin, Employers Skill Survey 2002, Research Report 372, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 7.8
Date: 2002-Sep
A report summarised skills issues in post-16 education and training, drawing together common themes that affect employers and employees in further and higher education, community and adult education, and training and workforce development.
Source: Andrew Maginn and Mathew Williams, An Assessment of Skill Needs in Post-16 Education and Training, Skills Dialogue SD14, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
The government gave details of action that will be taken in twelve key areas to improve the overall standard of management and leadership skills, and announced a further expansion of Sector Skills Councils.
Source: Government s Response to the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership Report, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260) and Department of Trade and Industry | Press release 25.9.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Response (pdf) | Press release | CEML report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers reported favourably on the experience of employer learning networks (group training arrangements for smaller firms) supported by government funding.
Source: Paul Rhodes and Alan Graver, An Evaluation of Employer Learning Networks, Research Report 367, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A study evaluated procedures used to screen, assess and refer unemployed people for training in literacy and/or numeracy.
Source: Pat Irving and Ashfa Slater, Processes Involved in Implementing the National Basic Skills Programme, WAE 129, Department for Work and Pensions (0114 259 6278)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
Muddle and complexity are dogging local delivery of central policy on skills and local economic development, an official report concluded.
Source: Local Delivery of Central Policy, Better Regulation Task Force/Cabinet Office (020 7276 2142)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
Researchers examined the wider role and benefits of 'Investors in People' (an official framework for good practice and investment in the development of employees).
Source: Mark Cox and Rod Spires, The Wider Role and Benefits of Investors in People, Research Report 360, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
An article examined the volume and type of training provided by employers.
Source: A. Clarke, 'Who trains? Employers' commitment to workforce development', Labour Market Trends, June 2002, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 120 (paragraph 7.8)
Date: 2002-Jun
The government defended its record on individual learning accounts, but said the lessons would be applied to a successor scheme.
Source: Individual Learning Accounts: Government Response to the Committee s Third Report of Session 2001-02, Third Special Report (Session 2001-02), HC 987, House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A committee of MPs criticised the implementation of the individual learning accounts scheme.
Source: Individual Learning Accounts, Third Report 2001-02 (two volumes), HC 561, House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 3.9)
Date: 2002-May