Publications

This publication was authored by Linda Miller before she joined IES.

This report examines how (if at all) vocational higher education is responsive to the needs of the labour market, and how this is related to quality assurance policies, procedures and structures. The research was conducted in five countries with a diversity of experiences in this area: Holland, Germany, Spain, France and England.

This publication was authored by Annette Cox before she joined IES.

This publication was authored by Linda Miller before she joined IES.

This publication was authored by Stefan Speckesser before he joined IES.

Launched by the DfES in 2001, the Adult Guidance Pilots (AGPs) aimed to offer a seamless information, advice, support, and guidance service to disadvantaged groups, on work and learning opportunities. The AGPs were successful in reaching a wide range of clients, offering services tailored to clients needs, and extended support where required. This resulted in many clients taking significant steps towards further learning, gaining new skills, and gaining employment. The evidence suggested that the impact of AGP provision was particularly marked in relation to clients with learning difficulties/disabilities, asylum seekers and refugees, those with low qualification levels, and those with needs for low or basic skills. Some important lessons emerged from the pilots, particularly in relation to the nature of the target groups, clarity of information around what providers can realistically offer, and the importance of flexibility in provision.

This research examines how employers' graduate strategies are changing in the light of recent business, labour market and other changes. It identifies three main drivers of a good strategy: clarity of strategic intention for recruiting graduates; appropriate internal organisational arrangements, in particular the degree to which there needs to be corporate involvement; and providing varying amounts of planned, structured development to meet different business and graduate needs.

This publication is no longer available. To increase participation and achievement in post-16 education and training, the government introduced reforms that extended opportunities, raised standards and made learning more attractive. The initiatives included new forms of support for learners but continued to rely on the Learner Support Funds to help individuals facing financial hardship. This evaluation report shows that the Learner Support Funds were providing an effective and sensitive response to learners' needs.

This review was part of the Employers' Organisation for local government project to support local authorities through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The main purpose of the report was to summarise research and literature primarily outside local government. Academic literature, practitioner literature and case studies were drawn upon to illustrate the context of workforce planning: its history, who uses it and why.

Guided by its expert advisory Education Panel, the Engineering Technology Board and its research partners have addressed concerns over the declining number of students pursuing a career in science, engineering and technology (SET) and identifying the points at which talented individuals are deterred from starting or continuing down that path. This report by IES explores the role of career services in making SET more appealing, especially to women. This publication is no longer available.