We analyse labour market trends to support strategic workforce planning and inclusive economic growth. Our insights combine data on economic and employment trends, education and skills supply, and population change to help clients understand current dynamics and anticipate future workforce needs.
Keeping up with the fast pace of developments in the labour market is essential for developing policy and for organisations making employment decisions.
For employers, IES has supported numerous organisations manage location decisions, resolve recruitment, retention or skills difficulties, (we have specific expertise on the graduate labour market) and explore diversity issues through our labour market analysis skills.
For policymakers, IES has extensive expertise in translating labour market research into actionable insights for employers and policymakers at national, regional, and local levels.
We conduct economic assessments that examine the strengths and weaknesses of local economies and their alignment with economic priorities. Our work includes evaluating the added value of projects and programmes, developing economic strategies, and addressing specific questions, such as how a local area can reduce worklessness, promote economic inclusion, or meet future skills demand.
We use learner data sources, such as the Individual Learner Record or surveys of higher education entrants and leavers, and linking these to information on benefit recipients or taxpayers, while fully safeguarding anonymity and data protection.
We also design bespoke surveys and use a range of other methods (such as focus groups, workshops, interviews, literature reviews and scenario-building) to add depth and nuance to quantitative projections.
Related projects
Improving understanding of the demand for and supply of skills in the West London labour market