Learn more about the latest IES research projects
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The focus is Phase 1 of the Teaching Industry Exchange (TIE), which aims to facilitate a two-way exchange between industry professionals and FE providers in order to improve the quality and relevance of FE provision and talent pipelines. The evaluation will assess how well the pilot is being implemented and what learnings can be taken forward as GLA expand the TIE into different sectors.
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Ipsos and the Institute for Employment Studies are delivering qualitative research for the Department for Business and Trade to understand how UK employers use zero-hours contracts and other flexible working arrangements in workforce planning. The findings will provide practical evidence to support policy implementation, impact assessment and guidance for employers.
IES was commissioned to write an in-depth analysis focusing on precarious employment in recently privatised public utilities. The research was based on literature review and supported the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on precarious employment.
The aim of this project was to establish how different providers in the further education and skills sector used advanced practitioner roles to improve teaching, learning and assessment. The project sought to understand what practice existed in the sector already and provide a foundation for sharing and developing this practice more widely.
IES is working with Arts Council England to help improve understanding of the perceptions of the organisation held by actual and potential job applicants from a range of backgrounds. The research project will involve online consultations, focus groups and interviews to increase insight into perceptions of the attraction factors, triggers to apply and benefits of working for the organisation, along with any perceived barriers to applying. The project will have an emphasis on diversity and inclusion and will inform future Arts Council England action and strategy.
IES Chief Economist Stefan Speckesser was an independent expert at the EU network event on Public Employment Services, ‘Making the PES Business Case’ on 17th January 2017. The event was a high level seminar for around 50 participants at Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place. It explored the topics of accountability, evidence-based decision making, measuring impact and communication. Dr Hugh Mosely and Dr Stefan Speckesser worked together to produce a short background paper, were involved in the agenda development and the proceedings on the day (including a presentation and chairing workshops).
The project comprises a rapid evidence assessment of the landscape of youth volunteering engagement and will explore attitudinal and hard outcomes associated with volunteering. A focused literature review will synthesise findings from around 20 of the most relevant publications. The final concise research report will then draw out lessons on the most effective methods for offering these opportunities. This project forms part of The Careers & Enterprise Company’s ‘What Works in Careers and Enterprise’ work strand.
IES was commissioned by the Office of Manpower Economics to conduct research into pay comparability methodologies on behalf of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB). The AFPRB, uniquely amongst the pay review bodies, has a statutory requirement to make external comparisons. Therefore, they asked IES to deliver an independent ‘academic think-piece’ that would help to ensure that the most appropriate pay comparability methodology is used in their comparisons in 2017 and beyond. IES research importantly aimed to explore whether alternative methods of comparing military pay with that of the wider labour market would be more appropriate or would add more value to the AFPRB’s current approach to pay comparability.
IES has been commissioned to evaluate the impact of the NHS Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Chief Executive programme. The programme aims to develop the key skills, understanding and personal qualities likely to enable participants to successfully and sustainably lead in the NHS. IES is conducting a longitudinal impact evaluation through three waves of fieldwork and perceptual data gathering on effectiveness with participants and local stakeholders, in comparison to a group of newly appointed Chief Executives (not programme participants) and their local stakeholders. IES is also analysing career tracking data.
This project for Equality and Human Rights Commission sets out to explore what is meant by a ‘vulnerable group’ and how it can be defined in relation to equality and human rights monitoring so that it is a meaningful concept.
The objective of this project was to identify international best practice for developing occupational standards for post-16 technical education that meet the changing needs of learners and the labour market. The evidence gathered was intended to enable the Department to develop best practice and guidance for panels of professionals that would be convened to develop standards for the reformed post-16 technical education system.
The project was a rapid evidence assessment (REA) to systematically identify and critically review evidence on how parents make decisions about returning to work and childcare responsibilities in the UK. Outputs included a research report and typology of factors influencing decisions.
