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The UK Commission for Employment and Skills commissioned a qualitative evaluation across a range of investments in demand-led skills solutions, including: the standards and frameworks programme: procurement of the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) products, apprenticeship framework products and Vocational Qualification (VQ) products; and the investment programme: investment in projects under the Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) and the Employer Investment Fund (EIF) programmes. The overall aims of the evaluation were to: develop a greater understanding and insight of the development and commissioning of the individual funds; draw insights about delivery and potential improvements; and enable the continuous improvement and capacity building to develop sustainable solutions.

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The Employee Demand study (UKCES, 2009) highlighted the significant barriers to learning that are faced by a number of UK employees. This report sets out the findings of a study into the motivators and barriers to participation in workplace learning by low skilled employees. Employees in low skilled jobs are a group which has been overlooked in previous research. The study was carried out by the Employment Research Institute (ERI) at Edinburgh Napier University on behalf of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. The report presents the results of a survey of both employee and employer views on participation in workplace learning in the care sector in north east England and the hotel sector in Yorkshire and Humberside. As well as a standard survey, the report also outlines the stated preference approach adopted. The stated preference approach allows employees to consider a hypothetical case of participation in workplace learning. Employees were given choices of combinations of job and learning related factors that might affect their preference for or against workplace learning. In conclusion, the report suggests many positive features which employers, individuals and policy makers could build on in developing the skills of people in low skilled jobs, which is important in securing competitive advantage for the UK in the long term.

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Between January 2013 and March 2015, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) funded the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) to undertake a pilot project on Mid Life Career Review (MLCR). The aim was to explore the demand for a career review among employed and unemployed adults aged 45-65, and investigate the costs and benefits of such a service.

The project worked with 17 partner agencies, who tested a variety of models, and provided reviews to 2883 clients, across the whole of England. Partners included all the Government's National Careers Service Prime Contractors, voluntary organisations, learning providers, Unionlearn, Workplace Learning Advocates (WLA) and Community Learning Champions (CLC). Evidence from clients and advisers indicates that the Review helped clients to: Return to work after unemployment; Better understand their opportunities to change job, move to self-employment, or negotiate more appropriate working conditions; Find appropriate training to improve their employability; Make realistic decisions about extending working life; Improve their health and wellbeing.

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