iCeGS Policy and Research e-briefing April 2012
April 2012
Welcome to the iCeGS Policy and Research e-briefing, providing the most up to date information on what is happening in the research arena of guidance, education, skills and employment.
Highlights of the Month:
-
Moore, N. and Hooley, T. (2012). Talking About Career: The Language Used by and With Young People to Discuss Life, Learning and Work.
-
UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) (2012). Business and Schools: Building the World of Work Together.
-
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2012). National Careers Service: The Right Advice At The Right Time.New Challenges, New Chances: Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan.
-
Bowes, L.and Bysshe, S. with Neat, S. and Howe, P. (2012). Complex Needs, Complex Choices. The Role of Career Learning, Information, Advice and Guidance in the Further Education and Skills sector.
-
Mellors-Bourne, R. (2012). A Career Development Perspective of UK Researcher-Business Interactions 2012.
Young People and Education:
ACEG (2012). The ACEG Framework. A Framework for Careers and Work-Related Education.
This new ACEG Framework is a non-statutory framework of learning outcomes for careers and work-related education from KS2 to post 16.
Deputy Prime Minister (2012). Boost for Unemployed Young People as Youth Contract Opens for Business.
The Youth Contract, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Minister for Employment Chris Grayling, supports businesses to get young people earning or learning.
Hasluck, C. and Armitage, J. (2012). Employers and the Recruitment of Young People : An Evidence Review.
This paper collates and assesses recent evidence on employers' attitudes and recruitment practices in regard to young people. Specifically, the review examines evidence relating to the recruitment of young people.
Knowles, E. and Evans, H. (2012). PISA 2009: How Does the Social Attainment Gap in England Compare with Countries Internationally?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) state that the relationship between pupils' socio-economic background and performance is a key measure of how equitably a country's education system distributes educational opportunities. This report aims to summarise the OECD's findings and relate them to our own understanding of the social attainment gaps in England.
Mann, A. (2012). Work Experience: Impact and Delivery - Insights from the Evidence.
This study argues that the quality of teenagers' work experience is strongly linked to future careers but must rely on more than just their parents' connections, a heads and employers report by the Education and Employer Taskforce says.
Moore, N. and Hooley, T. (2012). Talking About Career: The Language Used by and With Young People to Discuss Life, Learning and Work.
The research set out to understand how young people conceptualise career vocabulary in order to help those tasked with supporting their career decision making to do so in a way which was both engaging and effective.
Ofsted (2012). Apprenticeships for Young People.
This report presents some of the common factors that have led to high performance in the work of 15 providers who are extensively involved in delivering apprenticeships to young people. It explains how the providers have successfully recruited young people as apprentices: introducing them to the world of work; supporting them in developing vocational skills and completing their apprenticeship frameworks; and supporting their progression into employment and further study.
UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) (2012). Business and Schools: Building the World of Work Together.
This report presents the key findings from the research which UKCES has carried out to look at the perceptions and experiences of businesses when working with schools to build the world of work into education. We have focussed on how businesses influence the design and delivery of the curriculum, provide work experience and raise awareness of careers.
Adult Guidance and Skills:
Blades, R., Fauth, B. and Gibb, J. (2012). Measuring Employability Skills: A Rapid Review to Inform Development of Tools for Project Evaluation.
This is a literature review undertaken to assess the potential for developing a new instrument to support the evaluation of community and voluntary sector projects aiming to enhance young people's employability skills.
Careers Profession Alliance (2012). CPA News: April 2012.
This is the monthly update of developments within the CPA.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2012). National Careers Service: The Right Advice At The Right Time. New Challenges, New Chances: Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan.
This publication summarises the National Careers Service that the government recently launched.
Garrouste, C. and Loi, M. (2011). School-to-Work Transitions in Europe: Paths Towards a Permanent Contract.
This study explores the mobility dynamics of the European labour market by analysing the speed of transition of students to permanent employment. Tests were conducted which controlled for a range of social and educational characteristics including: gender, education level and training, and country specific market characteristics. The report drew upon longitudinal data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) between 1994 and 2001 which comprises a total of 36,600 individuals.
Lawton, K. and Lanningown, T. (2012). No Train, No Gain: Beyond Free-Market and State-led Skills Policy.
This report explores why employers do not train. We show that a lack of investment in training is rooted in 'low-road' competitive strategies that do not require a well-skilled workforce. While often profitable, these business models have implications for employees, consumers and the state.
UKCES (2012). Big Challenges Bring Big Rewards. The Big Picture Narrative.
This thematic Review sets out the overarching context and the case for investment in skills.
Further and Higher Education
Bowes, L.and Bysshe, S. with Neat, S. and Howe, P. (2012). Complex Needs, Complex Choices. The Role of Career Learning, Information, Advice and Guidance in the Further Education and Skills sector.
This research aimed to develop a more sophisticated understanding of Career Learning, Information, Advice and Guidance (CLIAG) for learners engaged with the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector.
Mellors-Bourne, R. (2012). A Career Development Perspective of UK Researcher-Business Interactions 2012.
This is a review of the interactions of UK postgraduate researchers and research staff in higher education (HE) with businesses and other external organisations.
University Alliance (2012). The Way We'll Work: Labour Market Trends and Preparing for the Hourglass.
this report we draw on the large body of evidence demonstrating the hourglass shape of labour markets in developed economies and the factors driving the observed changes. We look at the implications of these developments on society and the economy and make recommendations of how higher education policy could respond to meet the challenges, and capitalise on the opportunities, an hourglass-shaped economy presents.
Willets, D. (2012). HEFCE Annual Conference 2012 Speech.
This is a transcript of the speech made by David Willets at the HEFCE Annual Conference at the Royal College of Music.
Workforce Development and Employment:
Association of Employment And Learning Providers and LSIS (2012). Work Based Learning Workforce Survey 2010/11.
This is a workforce data report of the work based learning sector in England, based on findings from a study conducted in the summer of 2011. It provides detailed data on demographics and qualifications of the workforce which can be utilised to inform policy decisions by stakeholders. It can also be used by sector employers to assess their
organisation and the landscape they operate within.
Briône, P. and Nicholson, C. (2012). Employee Ownership: Unlocking Growth in the UK Economy.
This study makes the case for promoting greater employee ownership and share ownership and how this might best be achieved.
Institute for Public Policy Research (2012). Northern Prosperity is National Prosperity: NEFC Interim Report.
In this interim report, the Northern Economic Futures Commission (NEFC) makes the case for a much clearer focus on the North in economic policymaking. It argues that the longstanding structural challenges facing the North of England are entrenched by systemic factors that inhibit its long-term growth potential, and contends that it is not in the long-term interests of the UK as a whole for this lack of focus to persist.
Lalani, M., Meadows, P., Metcalf, H. and Rolfe, H. (2012). Evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work: Qualitative Research with Employers and Employees.
This report forms part of a programme of evaluation to gather evidence on the use of the Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note). On 6 April 2010 the Government implemented the fit note across Great Britain to help people who are off sick get back to work as quickly possible.
Silim, A. (2012). Wellbeing, Choice and Sustainability: What Should Economic Policy Target in a New Era Economy?
This paper argues policy should now focus directly on the wellbeing and choice of current and future generations. Rather than being directed at maximising GDP.
stem