Projects

IES are delivering qualitative research to support CITB’s evaluation of the accelerated construction apprenticeship.

We are investigating how job mobility can help older workers in routine and semi-routine jobs to extend their working lives. Using mixed methods—an evidence review, analysis of Understanding Society data, and place-based qualitative research in the Leeds City Region—we will examine how job mobility can be improved, with implications for employers and local, regional and national policy.

The launch of the We Move FWD Academy marks an important shift from earlier phases of work undertaken by BBC Children in Need (CiN) to remove barriers and create opportunities for Black children and young people across the UK. At its heart lies a critical question: how can youth-led, culturally grounded approaches enable access to paid pathways, without losing the authenticity and agency that make them effective?

IES are partnering with Trussell on new research to understand how employment support and Universal Credit conditionality can better meet the needs of people facing complex barriers to work.

This research aim to provide evidence on what does and does not work in leadership and career progression programmes aimed at increasing diversity in senior leadership of large firms and in-house teams. The aim is to identify barriers, effective features, gaps in current practices, and evidence of impact to support the design, improvement or implementation of such programmes.

Led by IPA with IES and Coleg Cambria, this research aims to understand the current picture of collaboration between tertiary education providers and trade unions. The project will combine research and stakeholder engagement with practical tools, training, and pilot support to build stronger social partnership working across the sector.

Starting with a multi-stage desk-based approach using AI tools to map available careers guidance for adults in work in England, this research looks to identify a viable pilot intervention for the delivery of guidance to adults in work. This will include a deep dive of locally available guidance to highlight what can work. Finally, support will be given to help Gatsby host roundtable discussions including providing a summary of findings.

An evaluation of two careers programmes for Year 9 and Year 10 pupils in Bedford – Taste of the Workplace, which is focussed on work experiences; and Career Mentoring, which matches mentors with individual pupils.

WECA design for its Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is tailored to the region’s specific needs, spanning system-level leadership (e.g. skills, support and employment system mapping) to targeted cohort support (e.g. rural access transport subsidies and SEND work placements).

A literature review followed by qualitative interviews with 20 older workers, to inform policy and employer guidance on encouraging and supporting older workers to continue working up to and beyond state pension age.