SLIM Publications

This report presents interim findings from an ongoing research project, which was commissioned by the SWitch CETT (South West Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training) and undertaken by Marchmont SLIM (Skills and Learning Intelligence Module), University of Exeter. It takes forward recommendations made by the SWitch Baseline Report* to investigate a representative sample of the current population of trainee teachers in the Learning and Skills sector, who are undergoing training towards the new Learning and Skills sector professional qualifications framework.

Trainees, the majority of whom are already teaching in either FE; Adult and Community Learning; Voluntary or Work-based Learning, took part in a detailed questionnaire survey between January-March 2008. In it they were asked questions about their experiences of their teacher training courses, which included expectations; recruitment; induction; mentoring; course content and relevance. The responses, which have been analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively, are presented in the interim report which are forming the basis of the emerging picture of teacher-trainee satisfaction that the research project is investigating. Further data collection will include a forthcoming participative workshop with SWitch stakeholders and a follow-up questionnaire with the same teacher-trainee cohort in the early autumn. The final report is due to be presented towards the end of 2008.

* The initial training of teachers in the Learning and Skills sector in the South West: A Baseline Survey of the student trainee cohort and of the challenges facing the providers of training, by Prof W B Richardson, Dr K R Diment and A Crews. Report to the SWitch Partnership, Learning South West, March 2008. Available here

This report presents the findings of the research study, A Review of the Integration of Brokerage Services in the South West. The Review was commissioned by the South West Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) with funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and undertaken by the South West Skills and Learning Intelligence Module (SLIM) during the autumn of 2007.

Improving the level and quality of business practice, and workforce skills, is crucial if businesses are to improve their competitiveness. Despite this, many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, lack the in-house resources and expertise to diagnose their business and skills needs and then to find the best solution. This is compounded by the fact that the market for business support and skills services is complex and confusing. Government has a key role to play in helping businesses to navigate the complexities of the market, through the provision of high quality, independent and easily accessed brokerage services.

Whilst brokerage services are designed to make the market for services less confusing, there are in practice a number of brokerage services in operation. The challenge, then, is how to integrate these brokerage services so that they provide seamless support to the client and, potentially, a single access point for publicly-funded business support, skills and recruitment services. At best, lack of integration reduces the effectiveness of the public resources deployed. At worst, it could lead to further confusion for employers and the potential for disengagement.

This report presents the findings of the research study, A Review of the Integration of Brokerage Services in the South West. The Review was commissioned by the South West Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) with funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and undertaken by the South West Skills and Learning Intelligence Module (SLIM) during the autumn of 2007.

Improving the level and quality of business practice, and workforce skills, is crucial if businesses are to improve their competitiveness. Despite this, many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, lack the in-house resources and expertise to diagnose their business and skills needs and then to find the best solution. This is compounded by the fact that the market for business support and skills services is complex and confusing. Government has a key role to play in helping businesses to navigate the complexities of the market, through the provision of high quality, independent and easily accessed brokerage services.

Whilst brokerage services are designed to make the market for services less confusing, there are in practice a number of brokerage services in operation. The challenge, then, is how to integrate these brokerage services so that they provide seamless support to the client and, potentially, a single access point for publicly-funded business support, skills and recruitment services. At best, lack of integration reduces the effectiveness of the public resources deployed. At worst, it could lead to further confusion for employers and the potential for disengagement.

Young people in jobs without training (JWT) have been identified as a ‘problem’ group who need encouraging into formal education and training. Yet very little is known about their lives, jobs and priorities.

The policy aim, highlighted in the Government’s 14-19 Skills White Paper, is to provide this group of young people with training and educational opportunities to enhance and develop their skills so that they can compete more effectively in the job market. Following the Leitch Review (2006), which emphasised the skills ‘deficit’ amongst young people and the subsequent proposal (DfES, 2007) that all young people should be engaged in education and training up to age 18, it has become even more important to understand the needs and perceptions of those young people currently in jobs without training.

Anticipating the importance of this issue, the South West Regional Skills Partnership established a Steering Group in February 2005 to advise and develop measures that regional partners could take to increase participation in education and training by young people in JWT. It proposed a research project that aimed to enhance academic and policy-makers’ understandings of the ambitions and circumstances of young people in JWT and also to promote improved understanding and practice amongst Connexions’ front-line delivery staff.

Commissioned by SLIM on behalf of the South West Regional Skills Partnership, this research is the first large scale longitudinal qualitative study completed on young people in JWT. It was funded by the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and Connexions and was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter in collaboration with Connexions.

The work built upon an earlier report by SLIM in October 20052, arising out of their policy and practitioner Learning Theme workshop on the issues around young people in employment without training in the South West.

Young people in jobs without training (JWT) have been identified as a ‘problem’ group who need encouraging into formal education and training. Yet very little is known about their lives, jobs and priorities.

The policy aim, highlighted in the Government’s 14-19 Skills White Paper, is to provide this group of young people with training and educational opportunities to enhance and develop their skills so that they can compete more effectively in the job market. Following the Leitch Review (2006), which emphasised the skills ‘deficit’ amongst young people and the subsequent proposal (DfES, 2007) that all young people should be engaged in education and training up to age 18, it has become even more important to understand the needs and perceptions of those young people currently in jobs without training.

Anticipating the importance of this issue, the South West Regional Skills Partnership established a Steering Group in February 2005 to advise and develop measures that regional partners could take to increase participation in education and training by young people in JWT. It proposed a research project that aimed to enhance academic and policy-makers’ understandings of the ambitions and circumstances of young people in JWT and also to promote improved understanding and practice amongst Connexions’ front-line delivery staff.

Commissioned by SLIM on behalf of the South West Regional Skills Partnership, this research is the first large scale longitudinal qualitative study completed on young people in JWT. It was funded by the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and Connexions and was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter in collaboration with Connexions.

The work built upon an earlier report by SLIM in October 20052, arising out of their policy and practitioner Learning Theme workshop on the issues around young people in employment without training in the South West.