Expanding and improving part-time higher education

BIS research paper no. 68 (URN 12/906) by Emma Pollard, Becci Newton and Jim Hillage (Institute for Employment Studies)

Report on research that explores whether part-time undergraduate study in England can be expanded as an alternative for young students (those aged 22 and under) to the full-time three- to four-year model of first degree undergraduate participation.
Also looks at how undergraduate part-time students of all ages can be encouraged and supported with their studies.

Full report (PDF 277pp)

Hazel’s comment:
You’d have thought I was asking for the moon trying to find more information to supplement that sketchy bit I’ve reproduced above but no, it seems to be all or nothing.

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Access to work-related training

DWP Research Report 749 by Claire Johnson, Paul Sissons, Joy Oakley and Sara Dewson (Institute for Employment Studies)

The 2006 Leitch Review of Skills recommended the creation of a new integrated employment and skills service. Since then, the welfare system has undergone reform to help meet this objective, of which the Integrated Employment and Skills (IES) trials, introduced in 2008 and ending in August 2010, have been a key element.

In the later stages of these trials, a new system of Enhanced Joint Working (EJW) was introduced in non-trial areas. Like the IES trials, EJW was intended to identify claimants' skills needs through enhanced screening processes and where appropriate direct them towards support from Next Step.

The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies to evaluate the IES trials. Between September and November 2010, visits were made to three IES trials districts and two EJW districts. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a range of respondents including Jobcentre Plus and Next Step district-level managers responsible for the implementation of the IES trials or EJW, Advisory Services Managers, Jobcentre Plus and Next Step advisers, Jobcentre Plus claimants who had been referred to Next Step and skills providers working with Jobcentre Plus or Next Step.

This report builds on previous qualitative evaluation work and has a particular focus on whether, and how, claimants get access to appropriate work-related skills training via a Jobcentre Plus or Next Step referral.

RR747 published June 2011 ISBN: 9-781-84712-983-3

Full report (PDF 74pp)

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EVENT - Demand-led Approach to Skills

The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) will hold its annual Employment Policy Conference on 6 November 2007, examining the recommendations of the Leitch Review one year on, and discussing how they can be implemented. Speakers include Mike Campbell, Director of Development at the Sector Skills Development Agency; and the conference will culminate with a keynote address from David Lammy, the Minister for Skills.

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