Further info

Most of the reports listed below can be downloaded from www.swslim.org.uk/research/slim_reports.asp.

Reports from SLIM's Learning Themes

Level 3 Skills: Challenge for the South West (April 2007)
This report has been prepared by SLIM on behalf of the South West ESP to enable them to meet this commitment and assess the nature and scale of Level 3 priorities in the region.

The report is presented in three parts. Part 1 looks at how Level 3 skills are defined, examines the key issues and the policy response. Part 2 looks at the demand and supply of Level 3 skills in the region and at future trends. It also includes a priority sector model developed by SLIM and more qualitative sector information. In Part 3, we put forward a range of recommendations for action, including those aimed at government. An executive summary is also available.

Young People: Employment Without Training (October 2005)
The report presents the findings of SLIM's Learning Theme which explored the issues that lead young people to enter employment without training. The Learning Theme considered the issues and barriers faced by young people, by employers and by those working to support young people make more effective choices. An executive summary is also available.

Age and Employability (April 2005)
SLIM's Learning Theme on Age and Employability looked at labour market factors affecting the employment prospects of those over 50, with a focus on initiatives to improve access to, or enhancements in, work for this diverse age group. The final report and executive summary are available to download.

Improving the training and development opportunities for graduates in the south west (November 2004)
The final report highlights the findings from this Theme which explored the range of ways that agencies and employers in the region can improve the recruitment, retention and utilisation of graduates. The report is available to download.

Tutor training: building capacity in Skills for Life (October 2004)
An executive summary and the final report on this Learning Theme are available to download. The report sets out findings and recommendations on the Theme which took place to debate and explore a broad range of issues for staff development and tutor training in post-16 Skills for Life.

e-Learning - Widening participation in the region (May 2004)
The Final Report from SLIM's sixth Learning Theme is now available. The main report looks at the potential of innovative technologies to widen participation in learning in the South West. An executive summary and a report on Good Practice relevant to the Theme are also available.

Flexible Training Solutions (February 2004)
This is the Final Report from SLIM's fifth Learning Theme on Flexible Training Solutions for Employers. It is the culmination of the Learning Theme process and sets out a range of priorities for action in the region as well as recommendations.

Improving Information, Advice and Guidance in Adults in the South West (Oct 2003)
This is the Final Report from SLIM's fourth Learning Theme. It presents key issues and recommendations that emerged from the Theme aimed at improving IAG services in the region. Some of the recommendations indicate where regional action would be appropriate but others relate to the need for changes at national level.

Skills and Learning: Improving Public Health (Feb 2003)
SLIM's third Learning Theme has now finished but you can read more on the Theme and find links to relevant publications in the Themes section of our website. The report from the Theme is now available.

Craft and Skilled Trades (July 2002)
This report completes SLIM's second Learning Theme on 'Craft and Skilled Trades'. The report discusses national and regional issues affecting craft and skilled trades; presents supporting evidence and good practice gathered from discussions and experience; and makes detailed recommendations towards improving provision and practice throughout the South West.

Basic Skills in the Workplace (March 2002)
A 64-page report providing the findings of SLIM's first Learning Theme. The report sets out the case for workplace basic skills provision, case studies of successful projects, national and regional policy, key issues and recommendations for agencies in the South West. Click here to access the report on-line. A 4-page executive summary is also available.

SLIM Reports

Healthy Labour Market Review (June 2004)
Produced by the Institute for Employment Studies for the South West Regional Employment Forum, this report presents the findings of an analysis of the health of the South West labour market on a range of labour market indicators.
Full report and Executive Summary available.

Employment, Learning and Skills in South West England (May 2004)
This report enables a shared understanding of employment, learning and skills issues in the region and develops an awareness of what the RDA and LSCs need to do in order to deliver their objectives at a regional and local level.
Full report and Executive Summary available.

Moving Towards Inclusion (March 2003)
This report updates the South West TEC reports completed in 1998. It seeks to examine how policy and strategy has changed since the reports were last published and provide an "overview" of the multiple disadvantage experienced by many residents in the region. The report can be viewed online from the Moving Towards Inclusion report page or a CD with a hard copy of the summary is available from SLIM.

Good Practice Case Studies in Sector Skills Development (March 2002)
Produced to support skills action planning in the South West RDA priority sectors, this report provides case studies of 75 sector support initiatives from across the country. A typology of initiatives is provided, along with analysis of common features & lessons from good practice. A 4-page executive summary is also available.

Methodology for assessing the economic contribution of the voluntary sector in the south west region (June 2002)
This study has sought to place research of the voluntary sector in a regional and national policy context, with particular emphasis on the initiatives and organisations involved in delivering and widening learning, taking account of the complexity of the relationships and other developments that impact such a study. Click here to access the report online.

Skills Issues in the South West CD-ROM (2002)
This electronic report provides a picture of 'where we are now' in skills development in the region. Links to data-tables, web-sites and on-line reports provide access to a wide range of information. The report is available online.

Reaching Out Across the Region (Sept 2002)
An analysis of European Social Fund Objective 3 funded projects in the South West region. The full report is available to download with the appendices separately.

Regular publications

Labour Market Review
Joint publication with Jobcentre Plus and the Business & Economy Module. Published twice a year. The bulletin is also available on our web site from the News page. [currently unavailable]

Briefing Papers
Summarising the findings from SLIM's Learning Themes, Briefing Papers provide research and data, policy context, views from the region, analysis, good practice and policy recommendations. The briefs are also available on our web site from the appropriate Theme from the Learning Themes page.

SW Skills Newsletter (formerly SLIM-lines)
A fortnightly newsletter keeping you abreast of the latest research and reports on skills and learning in the South West. Received via email, it provides electronic links for readers who need detailed information. The newsletter is also available on our web site from the News page.

SLIM Workshops and Conferences
Details of workshops and dissemination events run by SLIM.

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• SLIM Learning Theme Reports
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• Regular publications
• SLIM Workshops and conferences