We carry out research on a wide range of skills, employment and labour market issues which are key to driving up productivity and tackling social and economic exclusion.
Our work supports the Regional Skills Partnership, which defines the major skills challenges in the West Midlands and informs planning and funding decisions, targeting effort where it will have the greatest impact. Our work is overseen and supported by the Regional Skills Partnership Data Group.
Our work programme
- Reviewing the changing needs of the labour market
- Evaluating the impact of the Regional Skills Partnership
- Addressing gaps in the regional skills evidence base
Recent and ongoing research projects include:
Published 12th February 2010
Our assessment provides an overview of the changing needs of the West Midlands' labour market, with detailed exploration of key issues by sector and by sub-region. It focuses on recent trends, the impact of recession and prospects for recovery.
More about this project »
Updated 28th January 2010
We've reviewed secondary sources of data and analysis (PDF, 306kb) for information on employer skill needs and the supply of training providers, qualifications and training courses. We also reviewed existing data sources for information on their employment profile, future workforce demand and skills issues. Results from our survey of organisations (PDF, 295kb) are also available.
More about this project »
Published 9th December 2009
This Assessment provides a detailed review of employment and skills issues in the City Region.
It includes an analysis of macro-economic trends, trends in population and migration, trends in earnings, the key drivers of skills change and emerging skills needs, and considers further the balance between the supply of and demand for skills.
More about this project »
Updated 8th December 2009
Our quarterly briefing examines how the current economic climate is affecting the West Midlands in terms of skills and the labour market as a whole.
More on the impact on skills and the labour market »
Get the latest update report (December 2009) (PDF, 232kb)
Published 7th August 2009
This report highlights important messages relating to the key features of the knowledge economy in the West Midlands, the key issues and challenges that need to be addressed to strengthen it further, and policy implications and priorities for action.
More about this project »
Updated 30th June 2009
Using the skills performance indicator framework we can monitor trends and make comparisons between the West Midlands and other English regions (and sub-regions) on key skills and labour market issues.
More about this project »
Updated 14th October 2008
This project explores the issues surrounding the utilisation of graduates in the West Midlands labour market.
In October 2008, we published University Challenge: the region's knowledge economy and the demand for higher level skills (PDF, 500kb). This new report evidences the 'market failures' in the West Midlands that need to be addressed by the government's University Challenge initiative, which aims to support investment in higher education at a local level.
More about this project »
Published 24th October 2007
This project explores attitudes, motivations and barriers to engagement in learning, skills and employment among disadvantaged groups and communities. This project consists of a Jobcentre Plus survey of claimants plus research with key groups and communities.
More about this project »
Published 1st October 2007
This project provides critical labour market intelligence to the West Midlands Regional Skills Partnership and associated agencies in order that the case for investment in skills can be made to employers within the West Midlands. There is a focus on five key sectors where investment in training and up-skilling is particularly low in the region: engineering, other manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, and transport.
More about this project »