Publications

This report provides a review of the literature on initiatives to stimulate demand for post-16 learning. Examples of policy and practice initiatives from the UK, America, Europe and Australia are categorised into three broad types: stimulating mass demand, through widespread publicity, provision of advice and guidance or funding and making the provision of learning more flexible; stimulating demand for learning among targeted groups of individuals and communities; and stimulating demand among employees and for work-related learning.

This report focuses on the research tools used to quantify factors causing stress in the workplace. The report identifies existing approaches and looks for evidence of their reliability (do they produce consistent measures) and the validity of their results (do they measure what they are supposed to).

IES continued its work for the Association of Graduate Recruiters with this edition of the twice-yearly survey for AGR Members. The report is free to AGR members and can be ordered directly from the AGR.

This research brief concentrates on one of the key determinants of progression within organisations: the performance management process. It explores the literature on the relationship between ethnicity and performance in order to understand the issues that may contribute to the frequently observed under-performance of minority ethnic employees.

Executive coaching, largely an import from the US, swept the boardrooms of Europe in the late 90s and early 2000s. It was arguably the 'hot topic' for meeting senior management development needs in many employing organisations. It is a form of tailored work-related development for senior managers which spans business, functional and personal skills. There is more than one significant relationship to consider, ie coach and executive, coach and commissioner, and commissioner and executive. Issues of trust and control emerge in seeking to understand the successful interplay between these various relationships.

This report presents the findings of a study on the New Deal for Young Unemployed People, commissioned by NCVO. The study's aim was to explore and determine the experiences of young people entering the Voluntary Sector option of the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds. This publication is no longer available.

This report looks at factors affecting performance marks across the Civil Service and was carried out by Capita and IES. Some 180,000 personal records were analysed and 500 people interviewed.

This report summarises research undertaken in a consortium of major UK employers into employees' experience of effective career discussions at work. The research shows the importance of informal discussions about career issues and gives detailed analyses of the skills needed by those giving and receiving such support.

This IES briefing examines the key issues facing organisations looking to upgrade their learning provision to make the most of modern technological opportunities. It highlights key issues for organisations to consider when developing their approach to e-learning, including: how best to blend new e-learning technologies with traditional classroom approaches to training; whether to buy-in new off-the-shelf materials, develop content externally or in-house; how best to provide learner support; how trainers will adapt; and how to tell if the strategy is working.

This publication is no longer available. This research for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) was part of a three-year project ‘Building Social Partnerships in the Workplace’.