Search Results | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database

Monitoring and measuring occupational change: the development of SOC2000

The National Skills Task Force has been established by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to assis ... Show more
The National Skills Task Force has been established by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to assist him in developing a National Skills Agenda. The Task Force was asked to provide advice on the nature, extent and pattern of skill needs and shortages, including associated recruitment difficulties, how these are likely to change and what can be done to ease such problems. This paper is one of a series that has been commissioned to review and evaluate existing literature in a number of skills-related areas.
This paper considers issues relating to the measurement of skill for national statistical purposes, drawing on research leading to the revision of the national occupational classification for the United Kingdom (UK), SOC90. (Note: the revised classification will be referred to as SOC2000.) It aims to provide advice on the measurement of skill and the monitoring of change and to explain how the revised classification will affect the analysis of skill change and lead to a re-examination of forecasting of occupational structure. During the two-year revision process, perceived inadequacies were identified and the paper notes the major problems of definition that arose. Following the introduction, Section 2 presents a brief history of occupational classification in the UK. Section 3 describes the conceptual basis of the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC). Section 4 looks at problems with SOC90 and the constraints placed on the process. Section 5 briefly discusses the major processes of labour market change which shaped the revision. Section 6 identifies the sources and methods that were used in investigating occupational change. Section 7 presents an outline of the major changes to be introduced within SOC2000. Section 8 presents the authors' conclusions, in which they point out the difficulties caused by the speed of change in both skill areas and work organisation, but also maintain that this will be a better tool for the measurement of skill and for job-matching purposes.
Other research reports in this series are indexed from TD/TNC 62.633 to TD/TNC 62.650. Show less

Authors: Elias, Peter; McKnight, Abigail; Kinshott, Graham

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE)

Date: 1999

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Skills Task Force research paper

Subjects: Evaluation; Technology; Labour market ... [+] Show more
Evaluation of modern apprenticeships: 1998 survey of employers

The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) program was introduced to improve the supply of intermediate level of skills in the ... Show more
The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) program was introduced to improve the supply of intermediate level of skills in the United Kingdom (UK). The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) commissioned a study in 1998 to evaluate employers' views and experiences of MAs. This study set out to: (1) evaluate the impact MAs are having on the quantity and quality of work-based training for young people; (2) determine the extent to which the MA program has been effective in overcoming skill shortages and in improving skill levels; (3) assess whether the program provided value for money; and (4) provide some guidance in delivering and maintaining high quality training. The study, based on interviews with employers, found that while there was room for some improvements, overall, the MAs were meeting the needs and expectations of both employers and apprentices. Show less

Corporate authors: Economic Research Services (Firm) ... [+] Show more

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Youth; Evaluation; Apprenticeship ... [+] Show more
An evaluation of 3 NTO initiatives

This report is based on a study undertaken to evaluate three initiatives piloted by nine National Training Organisa ... Show more
This report is based on a study undertaken to evaluate three initiatives piloted by nine National Training Organisations (NTOs) and is aimed at providing consultancy support to the NTOs in developing and implementing the initiatives. These initiatives, known as the Mudie Initiatives were: Modern Apprenticeships (MAs); National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Assessment and Certification (A&C); and Sector Workforce Development Plans (SWDP). The main aim of the initiatives was to secure clearer leadership from employers in meeting skills needs, especially in the recruitment and vocational training of young people. The report includes: a description of each of the individual development projects, grouped by initiative; the changes to the skills development infrastructure; the findings of the evaluation activities undertaken throughout the study; and conclusions and recommendations based on the various components of the study. The conclusions are presented in relation to each of the three initiatives and implications are drawn out for NTO policy and post-16 arrangement as well as for funding, timing and arrangements for future initiatives. Show less

Authors: Parker, Michael

Corporate authors: York Consulting ... [+] Show more

Date: 2000

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Youth; Employment ... [+] Show more
The role of Employee Development Schemes in increasing learning at work

Employee Development Schemes (EDSs) in the United Kingdom have been slow to take off. Despite this slow start there ... Show more
Employee Development Schemes (EDSs) in the United Kingdom have been slow to take off. Despite this slow start there has been no lack of ad hoc research. What has been missing is comparative evidence on how EDS has been taken up by firms, individuals within firms and its impact. While the general objective of this project was to undertake an evaluation of the impact EDS has had on increasing learning at workplaces, more specific research aims include gathering information about how far EDS encourages learning activity within the workplace, the impact of attitudes to the take-up of learning in the future and as reflected in post-EDS take-up of learning opportunities, the direct and indirect benefits of EDS to employers and, where appropriate, to other funders, integration with or tensions between the focus of EDS and employer participation in more business-orientated training and development activities and initiatives, and how to improve the contribution made by EDS to lifelong learning. The report presents evidence from past research of EDS activity and distribution, details support and facilitation of EDS by Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) and Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise (CCTEs), explores employer rationale and expectation of EDS, describes the benefits and impact of EDS and discusses development issues and implications for organisations and policy makers. Show less

Authors: Parsons, David; Cocks, Nigel; Rowe, Valerie

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE)

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Participation; Skills and knowledge; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
Barriers to take-up of Modern Apprenticeships and National Traineeships by SMEs and specific sectors

This is a qualitative study into the barriers impeding the take-up of Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) and National Tra ... Show more
This is a qualitative study into the barriers impeding the take-up of Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) and National Traineeships (NTs) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). MAs and NTs were introduced in the 1990s to help equip young people with relevant skills and provide employers with a consistent framework for training. SMEs account for the majority of businesses and employ around three in five workers. How SMEs develop their staff to meet business needs is critical for the individual company performance and national prosperity. The main barriers identified were lack of knowledge of the MA and NT initiatives, lack of relevance, lack of support and lack of suitable young people. The study suggests that employers were uninformed or indifferent rather than negative about the MA and NT concept. Suggestions and recommendations to improve the promotion and future development of the initiatives are given in the final section. Show less

Authors: Sims, David; Golden, Sarah; Blenkinsop, Sarah; Lewis, Gari

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE)

Date: 2000

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Apprenticeship; Traineeship; Evaluation ... [+] Show more
Higher Level Basic Skills Pilots: follow-up interviews

This report presents a review of the performance of the Higher Level Basic Skills Pilots that were introduced in 19 ... Show more
This report presents a review of the performance of the Higher Level Basic Skills Pilots that were introduced in 1997. Previous research has indicated that adults with low levels of literacy and/or numeracy become significantly more employable if they reach Level 1 as opposed to Entry Level. The Higher Level Basic Skills Pilots were introduced with the intention of testing out the extent of the benefits of achieving Level 1. This report is designed to test the value of reaching Level 1 and to examine the general performance and on-the-ground experiences of operating the Pilots. Show less

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) ... [+] Show more

Date: 1999

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Literacy; Numeracy; Performance ... [+] Show more
Developing skills policies in six countries

Part one of this report describes the background and context to the research project. The aim was to investigate ho ... Show more
Part one of this report describes the background and context to the research project. The aim was to investigate how skills policy is formed, conducted and developed in six of Britain's competitor countries - Canada, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Taiwan. The objectives and particular issues covered by the study are listed and the methodology is described in some detail. Details are also presented on the process used for selecting the number and choice of countries. Part two comprises six chapters, looking at how each of the countries provides the vocational education and training skills required for the present economic situation and in preparation for the future. There are comprehensive notes at the end of each chapter. The final part compares the policies of the countries covered with those of Britain. The three main questions examined were: (1) do the countries studied actually have a skills policy or strategy?; (2) what are the main influences or forces bearing on and shaping these countries' policies, and is it possible to isolate factors which predispose to more or less effective policies?; and (3) what can be said about the success of the six countries' policies? The paper concludes with some specific points to consider as lessons for Britain. Show less

Authors: Down, Tim

Corporate authors: Leeds Metropolitan University. Policy Research Unit ... [+] Show more

Date: 1999

Geographic subjects: Oceania; North America; Asia ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Government report or paper

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Research; Policy ... [+] Show more
Evaluation of Skills Challenge

The aim of Skills Challenge was to improve business competitiveness by supporting groups of ten or more small firms ... Show more
The aim of Skills Challenge was to improve business competitiveness by supporting groups of ten or more small firms to work together to find new ways of training to meet their current and future skills needs. This evaluation aims: (1) to examine the implementation of successful Skills Challenge projects in terms of the benefits, costs and impacts; (2) to examine the potential for replication and transferability of approaches; (3) to assess the benefits of the challenge approach to funding; and, (4) to produce case study materials as examples of good practice. Show less

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) ... [+] Show more

Date: 1997

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Industry; Quality ... [+] Show more
Pre-16 work experience practice in England: an evaluation

In January 2000, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), in partnership with Employment Research, was commissio ... Show more
In January 2000, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), in partnership with Employment Research, was commissioned by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) to evaluate the pre-16 work experience in England. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the current work experience policy and practice focusing on the impacts of policy changes since 1996, when the last major evaluation was carried out; and (2) to further enhance the quality of work experience by informing the development of policies. Major findings included: most participants were satisfied with the quality of pre- and post-placement processes; there has been an improvement in quality in terms of pre-placement preparation, health and safety checking, teacher visits and placement completion rates; there was still scope for improvement in areas such as employer involvement in preparation and debriefing, integrating work experience within the curriculum, health and safety, and equal opportunities; placements appeared to offer greater experience and more learning opportunities than part-time work; and teachers believed work experience promoted students' personal and social development, and enhanced their maturity and understanding of the world of work. The chapters are: Introduction; Volume, length and timing; Organisation of work experience; Finding, checking, matching and preparation; Work experience placements; Debriefing and follow-up; Value, quality and impact; Work experience and part-time work; Conclusions. Also included are three appendices: (1) Research methodology; (2) Questionnaires; (3) References. Show less

Authors: Hillage, Jim; Kodz, Jenny; Pike, Geoff

Corporate authors: Institute for Employment Studies (Great Britain) (IES) ... [+] Show more

Date: 2001

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Participation; Evaluation; Quality ... [+] Show more
Employers' views of TECs and their services: based on a survey of employers in 1998 by Research International Limited

This report presents the findings of a survey that focused on industry perceptions and knowledge of Training and En ... Show more
This report presents the findings of a survey that focused on industry perceptions and knowledge of Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) and their services. It was intended that the survey produce a database of information. This report is intentionally descriptive and factual. It aims to summarise the key findings of the survey for the wider audience. Questions focused on awareness of TECs, awareness of TEC services, use of TEC services, use of specific services, reasons for not using TEC services, awareness of third parties delivering TEC services, the likely use of TEC services in the next twelve months, factors that would encourage non-users to use TEC services, factors that would encourage users of TEC services to use more services, likelihood of non-users making use of services in the next two years, how establishments judge TEC performance, satisfaction and dissatisfaction with TEC services, changes in the use of TEC services over the last twelve months, explanations for increased and decreased use of TEC services, impact of TEC services on the company, TECs' knowledge of employers' business sector needs and training needs, views of the wider impact of TECs, employers' views on how well their TEC is performing, key issues establishments will face in the next two years, issues where TECs can help, awareness and interest in TEC boards, and interest in becoming a member of a TEC board. Show less

Authors: Weller, Peter

Corporate authors: Great Britain. Department for Education and Employment (DfEE)

Date: 1999

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Government report or paper

Series name: Research report

Subjects: Evaluation; Management; Research ... [+] Show more