Researchers evaluated employer training pilots. The pilots were found have been successful in getting substantial numbers of employers involved in training their low-skilled employees to qualifications. The vast majority of employers saw potential benefits in terms of providing employees with better skills and self-confidence and thought that this fitted well with their business plans. There was no evidence that taking part in a pilot displaced other training activity. (Employer training pilots were established in six areas in September 2002. All pilots aim to provide training to a first level 2 qualification or in basic skills for employees.)
Source: Jim Hillage and Hannah Mitchell, Employer Training Pilots: First year evaluation report, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (Word file) | HMT press release
Date: 2003-Dec
A study of two sectors (tourism and food processing) found evidence of organisations firmly embedded in a 'low skill equilibrium' or on a low skill trajectory. Despite the efforts of some organisations to extract themselves from this situation, the most common reaction of respondents was acceptance of their position, and of the fact that there was little that they could do to change it. (A low skills equilibrium is a situation where an economy becomes trapped in a vicious circle of low value added, low skills and low wages.)
Source: Rob Wilson and Terence Hogarth, Tackling the Low Skills Equilibrium: A review of issues and some new evidence, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Annexes (pdf)
Date: 2003-Dec
The Pre-Budget Report outlined an additional 190 million spending (over the two years 2004-05 and 2005-06) on the Employer Training Pilot programme, extending the scheme to give free training to low-skilled workers in 12 existing pilot areas for a further year, and expanding it to operate in six new areas.
Source: Pre-Budget Report: The strength to take the long-term decisions for Britain - Seizing the opportunities of the global recovery, Cm 6042, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 10 December 2003, columns 1061-1086, TSO
Links: Report (pdf) | Hansard | DfES press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Dec
A report set out a baseline forecast of future participation in post-compulsory learning. The Learning and Skills Development Agency said the report confirmed the need for new policies such as those outlined in the government s skills strategy (published in July 2003) if significant growth were to be achieved.
Source: Jane Denholm and Deirdre Macleod, Prospects for Growth: Interim report, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9016) | Jane Denholm and Deirdre Macleod, Prospects for Growth in Further Education Review of recent literature for the Prospects for growth project, Learning and Skills Development Agency | Press release 4 December 2003, Learning and Skills Development Agency
Links: Literature review (pdf) | LSDA press release (pdf)
Date: 2003-Dec
Researchers evaluated the adult guidance pilots. Nearly 1 in 10 clients had improved their qualification level since their first contact, and gains were particularly marked amongst those who began with no qualifications - 27 per cent of this group had subsequently gained a qualification of some kind. Over a quarter of those who had been unemployed for less than six months were in work following contact with a pilot. Of those unemployed for more than six months, around 17 per cent had found a job. (The pilots were launched in November 2001, aimed at exploring the potential additional value of offering in-depth guidance to disadvantaged individuals on work and learning opportunities.)
Source: Claire Tyers, Jane Aston, Robert Barkworth, Rebecca Willison and J. Taylor, Evaluation of Adult Guidance Pilots, Research Report 491, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf) | Links to individual pilot reports
Date: 2003-Nov
An article argued that there was less consensus than appeared among policy makers about the meaning of a 'high skills' society.
Source: Caroline Lloyd and Jonathan Payne, 'What is the 'high skills society'? Some reflections on current academic and policy debates in the UK', Policy Studies, Volume 24 Numbers 2-3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2003-Nov
The Adult Learning Inspectorate identified overall improvements in the sector in 2002-03, but said that work-based learning continued to show weaknesses.
Source: Annual Report of the Chief Inspector: 2002-03, Adult Learning Inspectorate (0870 240 7744)
Links: Report (pdf) | ALI press release (Word file)
Date: 2003-Nov
A committee of MPs expressed concern over the 'cumulative weight of the bureaucracy' associated with the administration of the European Social Fund, and over uncertainty about future funding after European Union enlargement. (The Fund is administered by the European Union, and supports activities to develop employability and human resources.)
Source: European Social Fund, Sixth Report (Session 2002-03), HC 680, House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2003-Nov
A report used scenario techniques to describe and examine a range of alternative futures for the learning and skills sector in 20 years' time. It highlighted key choices around different levels of public investment and different degrees of regulation of the labour market.
Source: Richard Worsley and Michael Moynagh, Learning from the Future: Scenarios for post-16 learning, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Report (pdf) | LSDA press release
Date: 2003-Nov
The 'first definitive national profile' of adult literacy and numeracy skills was published. The government said the survey demonstrated early success in its drive to increase the numbers of adults with basic skills: but 15 million adults lacked the numeracy skills expected at a lower grade GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
Source: BMRB Social Research, National Needs and Impact Survey of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT Skills, Research Report 490, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 30 October 2003, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Summary (pdf) | DfES press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Oct
Researchers found case study evidence suggesting that approaches to training were more effective when management and employees were jointly involved in decision-making. They also found tension between training and development to meet business needs, and training for the wider employability needs of the workforce. Union-led training initiatives were more likely than employer initiatives to enhance wider employability. Trade union presence at a workplace influenced whether or not an organisation undertook training for its employees, but not the amount of training provided to those who were trained.
Source: Helen Rainbird, Jim Sutherland, Paul Edwards, Lesley Holly and Ann Munro, Employee Voice and Training at Work: Analysis of case studies and WERS98, Employment Relations Research Series 21, Department of Trade and Industry (020 7215 5177)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Sep
A think-tank report said that the age limit on manufacturing sector modern apprenticeships should be lifted without delay. It also said that, while firms should not be compelled to increase their levels of employee training, they should receive more effective help in planning their training needs.
Source: Richard Brooks and Peter Robinson, Manufacturing in the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: IPPR press release
Date: 2003-Aug
Researchers found a significant, positive relationship between a firm's employment levels and its overall spending on training. But there was no relationship between productivity growth and training intensity, either measured as expenditure per firm, or per employee.
Source: Andy Cosh and Alan Hughes, The Relationship between Training and Business Performance, Research Report 454, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jul
The government published a White Paper outlining its strategy for enhancing adult learning and skills. There would be free learning for any adult who did not already have a good foundation of skills for employability, to help them achieve a full 'Level 2' qualification; there would be a new 30 weekly grant for adult learners in priority groups to support them in studying full-time courses in further education; and the age cap for modern apprenticeships would be lifted so that people over the age of 25 could learn skilled trades. A new Skills Alliance partnership would be formed between the government, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress, the Small Business Council, and key delivery partners. (GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Source: 21st Century Skills - Realising our potential: Individuals, employers, nation, Cm 5810, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 9.7.03, columns 1161-1174, TSO
Links: Report | Hansard | DfES press release | NATFHE press release | NIACE press release | IPPR press release | CBI press release | TUC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2003-Jul
Researchers found that candidates, trainers and employers saw the NVQ2 qualification as a means of developing sufficient capability to enter the workplace. However, comments by trainers and employers confirmed that NVQs were a 'site of contention' between sector requirements and the needs of individual employers. (NVQ = National Vocational Qualification)
Source: Harry Tolley, David Greatbatch, Jean Bolton and Paul Warmington, Improving Occupational Learning: Validity and transferability of NVQs in the workplace, Research Report 425, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jul
A report evaluated the 'University for Industry' project ('Ufi', or 'learndirect'), aimed at improving individuals employability and organisations productivity through skills development and further learning. The project was found to have contributed to lifelong learning by engaging new learners, and by widening participation by reaching out to traditionally disadvantaged groups: but it had had more impact on individuals than on organisations.
Source: Penny Tamkin, Jim Hillage, Sara Dewson and Alice Sinclair, New Learners, New Learning: Strategic evaluation of Ufi, Research Report 440, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
An evaluation exercise was completed on the effectiveness of adult basic skills pathfinder extension activities. Among all participants, being on an extension course raised the completion rate by 14 percentage points. (Extension activities were launched in 2001, consisting of 'innovative' types of provision such as residential courses, intensive courses, highly structured courses, and financial incentives for course attendance and completion.)
Source: Michael White, Evaluation of Adult Basic Skills Pathfinder Extension Activities: Overview, Research Report 436, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260) | Michael White, Evaluation of Adult Basic Skills Pathfinder Extension Activities, Research Brief 436-439, Department for Education and Skills | Helen Barnes, Maria Hudson, Rebecca Taylor, Jane Parry and Melahat Sahin-Dikmen, Making Second Chances Work: Final report from the qualitative evaluation of adult basic skills pathfinder extension activities, Department for Education and Skills | Michael White, John Killeen and Rebecca Taylor, Evaluation of Adult Basic Skills Pathfinder Extension Activities: Stage 1 surveys of learners and teachers, Department for Education and Skills | Dorothe Bonjour and Deborah Smeaton, The Impact of Adult Basic Skills Pathfinder Extension Activities: Stage 2 of the evaluation, Research Report 438, Department for Education and Skills
Links: Report 436 (pdf) | Brief 436 (pdf) | Brief 436-439 (pdf) | Report 439 (pdf) | Brief 439 (pdf) | Report 437 (pdf) | Brief 437 (pdf) | Report 348 (pdf) | Brief 348 (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A report called for a greater focus on boosting the skills of technicians, associate professionals, supervisory managers and other groups with intermediate skills , in order to improve economic competitiveness.
Source: Barry Smeaton and Maria Hughes, Investigating Intermediate Skills, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Report (pdf) | LSDA press release (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A report called for a radical rethink of the national vocational qualifications framework, and the introduction of a more flexible system that would enable colleges to award their own qualifications.
Source: Coherence and Quality or Relevance and Flexibility in Vocational Qualifications?, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Report (pdf) | LSDA press release (pdf)
Date: 2003-Jun
A report said that jobs in the service sector although often maligned - were providing communication and teamwork skills that the country badly needed. It showed that the service sector boasted some of the most innovative training programmes in the United Kingdom.
Source: Andy Westwood, Are We Being Served? Career mobility and skills in the UK workforce, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Report (pdf) | Work Foundation press release
Date: 2003-Jun
Research highlighted a number of weaknesses in the operation of modern apprenticeships in Scotland, and made a series of recommendations for remedial action. It noted a 'worrying' concentration of recruitment on young males direct from school. But the Scottish Executive disputed the findings, saying that its own research had shown that modern apprenticeships were generally successful and contributed to Scotland s skills base.
Source: Roy Canning, Emergent Models of Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, Institute of Education/University of Stirling (01786 467600) | Press release 16.5.03, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Summary (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2003-May
A report examined the reasons why drop-out rates for apprentices were higher in some organisations than in others, and why some achieved better success rates with their trainees. It concluded that no single causal factor was involved.
Source: Vikki Smith and Maria Hughes, Making the Difference: Provider support for learner retention and achievement in work-based learning, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2003-May
Research concluded that government skills and innovation policies would not succeed in making the United Kingdom a high-performance economy. It said the approach was 'top-down, ad hoc and fragmented', and that a strategy was needed that was more in tune with the encouragement of workplace reorganisation and institutional change.
Source: Robert Taylor, High Road/Low Road Skills and innovation in Britain's workplaces, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC Press Release
Date: 2003-May
An annual survey found that, in 2002, 68 per cent of employers offered at least one of eight specified learning opportunities to their employees. The most commonly offered types were learning in information technology (49 per cent) and working with others (47 per cent). There was an increase in the proportion of employers offering learning opportunities since the 2001 study.
Source: David Spilsbury, Learning and Training at Work: 2002, Research Report 399, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2003-Mar
A research review said that more research is needed on the effectiveness of workplace education and training programmes in basic skills if levels of adult literacy and numeracy are to be raised. It highlighted the relative lack of interest in this field by academic researchers, the absence of any framework for harnessing the lessons learned from successful projects, and the absence of any agreed system for measuring the effectiveness of practice in delivering basic skills in the workplace.
Source: John Payne, Basic Skills in the Workplace: Research review, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Press release (Word file)
Date: 2003-Mar
Research commissioned by the government found marked disparities in skills and educational attainment levels between different English regions. One third of the London workforce have a first degree or higher qualification, but only 17 per cent in the north east.
Source: Mark Hepworth and Greg Spencer, A Regional Perspective on the Knowledge Economy of Great Britain: Regional differences, Department of Trade and Industry, available from EC logistics (0870 150 2500)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2003-Mar
Two reports evaluated basic skills provision through the Jobcentre Plus network.
Source: ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited, Evaluation of Jobcentre Plus Contracted Basic Skills Provision: National Model Areas, WAE 148, Department for Work and Pensions (0114 259 6278) | ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited, Evaluation of Jobcentre Plus Contracted Basic Skills Provision: Eight Week SIBS Pilots, WAE 149, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report 148 (pdf) | Summary 148 (pdf) | Report 149 (pdf) | Summary 149 (pdf)
Date: 2003-Mar
A survey found that teleworkers and homeworkers are not being given the same access as other employees to development opportunities.
Source: The Psychological Contract, MBP 102, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-Mar
A report presented analyses from the Employer Skills Survey. It explored the most informative and useful measures of skill deficiencies to be drawn from survey, and assessed the general strengths and weaknesses of the survey data sets.
Source: Geoff Mason and Rob Wilson (eds.), Employers Skill Survey: New Analyses and Lessons Learned, National Institute of Economic and Social Research (020 7222 7665) and Institute for Employment Research/University of Warwick
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2003-Mar
The government published a progress report on its strategy to identify the skills challenges of the economy, and to build a partnership between government and business which will address them.
Source: Developing a National Skills Strategy and Delivery Plan: Progress report, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | DfES press release | TUC press release
Date: 2003-Mar
A pamphlet highlighted the potential of trade union learning representatives to encourage and help colleagues to develop skills through training.
Source: John Healey MP and Natascha Engel, Learning to Organise, Trades Union Congress (020 7467 1294)
Links: Press release
Date: 2003-Feb
The government launched a new National Modern Apprenticeship Taskforce, chaired by Sir Roy Gardner. The taskforce will examine ways to increase opportunities for young people to participate in modern apprenticeships, and how to engage employers more fully in the programme.
Source: Press release 25.2.03, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Press release | Speech by Chancellor | TUC press release
Date: 2003-Feb
An annual survey found that the supply of skills in England is growing, but there are still problems with basic skills, intermediate level skills and some generic skills; that inequalities in access to training and skills acquisition persist and attitudes to learning remain poor in many areas; and that the demand for skills is changing dramatically, often resulting in significant imbalances at local level.
Source: Skills in England 2002, Learning and Skills Council (0870 900 6800)
Links: Report part 1 (pdf) | Report part 2 (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2003-Feb
A report evaluated the Skills Development Fund (started in 1999 to help regional development agencies raise the regional skill base). It said that the fund is widely considered to have had an influence above its absolute size, and to have supported a relatively wide range of innovative approaches.
Source: GHK, Evaluation of the Skills Development Fund, Research Report 364, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 7.8
Date: 2003-Jan
A report warned that an overall lack of management skills will prove to be a brake on both the effectiveness of public sector reform and attempts to improve private sector productivity.
Source: Ewart Keep and Andy Westwood, Can the UK Learn to Manage?, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2003-Jan
Key findings were published from the 2002 survey of employers' training practices and their awareness of, and involvement with, the training initiatives commissioned by the government. The findings were broken down by employer's size, region and industry sector. (Full results are due to be published in March 2003.)
Source: Learning and Training at Work 2002, Statistical First Release 02/2003, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: SFR (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 7.8
Date: 2003-Jan