The potential contribution environmental technologies such as renewable energy, pollution monitoring and waste management can make to the West Midlands' economy is of interest to a number of partners, particularly Advantage West Midlands, the Learning & Skills Council and local authorities.
The objectives of this research are to identify:
- The relative importance of these industries to the regional economy.
- The profile of the workforce by gender, ethnicity, age and qualification attainment.
- Key developments in the sector, potential market opportunities and drivers of skills change.
- Current and potential labour and skill needs, and any gaps and shortages.
- Investment in training and upskilling by employers.
- The use of publicly funded, private sector and internally run training, and any gaps or weaknesses in provision.
- Recommendations and actions to address any issues identified.
The project has three phases:
Benefits expected
The findings of the project will be used to inform the Learning & Skills Council, Advantage West Midlands and other key partners in developing policies and programmes to promote investment in skills by sector employers to support their development and growth.
Methodology
We have completed phases 1, 2 and 3.
Phase 1: literature review and published data
Published 12th March 2009
Download the literature review (PDF, 306kb)
We referred to a number of published reports and research 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. These sources include:
Phase 2: online survey
Published March 2009
Download the survey findings (PDF, 295kb)
The Observatory's skills research team conducted an online survey using SurveyMonkey. The survey was sent by email to the 400 organisations included in the cluster trade directory (PDF, 3.15mb).
We asked questions on:
- Business conditions and confidence (such as home orders and sales, turnover and profitability)
- Diversification into environmental technologies
- Employment and training
- Skill needs, gaps and shortages
- Workforce profile: age, gender, ethnicity, number and type of employees (full time, part time, permanent and temporary)
Some questions were taken from existing questionnaires, such as the British Chambers of Commerce quarterly economic survey and the LSC National Employer Skills Survey.
Phase 3: in-depth interviews
Published September 2009
Download the full report (PDF, 934kb)
Phase 3 was contracted out to an external consultant, Labour Market Solutions. This phase consisted of 25 in-depth interviews with employers and the development of case studies to obtain information on:
- Trading conditions
- Market opportunities
- Drivers of skill needs and emerging skills needs
- Recruitment difficulties
- Skills gaps in the workforce
- Qualifications or experience required for specific roles
- Investment in training and upskilling
Summary report: key findings, issues and recommendations
Published 16th October 2009
Download the summary report (PDF, 477kb)
We have also produced a summary report highlighting the key findings from the research. The report also includes a series of key issues and recommendations developed by Advantage West Midlands, the Learning and Skills Council and relevant Sector Skills Councils.
Photo credit:
Workers installing solar panels by Wayne National Forest