Research
The Skills White paper (2003) states "each SSC is expected to deliver top quality analysis of international, national and regional trends in labour, skills and productivity in their sector as a means to identifying the skills that employers need to support future business success."
The aim then is to employ high quality research, evaluation and intelligence to:
- Inform strategy, i.e. the setting of high level objectives and strategic priorities for action
- Influence policy development and practice by challenging existing policies as appropriate, driving innovation and improving workforce development and provision
- Identify and articulate employer skill needs in UK Process and Manufacturing industries.
- Make a convincing business case for skills, and a demand led approach to tackling skills and performance
- Stimulate practical action by employers and increase their commitment to the skills and productivity agenda
- Help assess the effectiveness of Proskills and enhance performance.
Broad Approach
The key means for achieving these aims is by providing and maintaining an up-to-date, comprehensive, detailed analysis of the process and manufacturing industry to form the evidence base for the organisation's strategy and planning. The analysis needs to be consistent with consensus views within the industry itself. Also it should be articulated to partner organisations in a form capable of guiding decisions about skill development.
In addition to the setting up and maintenance of a system of providing Labour Market Intelligence, there is a need for ad-hoc research to answer questions posed by the organisation and its partners in a flexible and responsive way. A programme of projects based on identified needs has to be maintained, with priority given to more strategic issues having a wide impact.
The main role in the evaluation of Proskills work is through the setting and monitoring of key performance indicators to demonstrate that the organisation is making an impact on skills and productivity within the industry. This would include work on the 'contextualisation' of the SSC scorecard, customer satisfaction analysis and the linkage with the DBERR’s industry KPIs.
The research team also provides an advisory service for Proskills staff to support research across the organisation. This includes maintaining an information base on cross-industry research, advice on project design and external contractors.
The website also has a Research Bulletin, which appears periodically, and summarises new research relevant to Proskills industries and vocational education and training in general. Click here to see the latest Bulletin.
Proskills website is an important means of making our research available to others. A section comprising all the main reports on our industries is provided here. There are separate sections on U.K. wide analysis in addition to devolved nations and regions. Also information is provided on specific industries and topics.
Finally the website provides an opportunity for companies and others to provide Proskills with information, through on-line surveys. These allow Proskills to keep up to date by tracking change in the industry and by gathering feedback on topical subjects.
Finally the website provides an opportunity for companies and others to provide Proskills with information, through on-line surveys. These allow Proskills to keep up to date by tracking change in the industry and by gathering feedback on topical subjects. News of current surveys will be flagged up on the home page. Click here to see current online surveys.
Proskills would welcome comments/feedback on its research activities and reports. If you have any enquiries please contact martin.arnott@proskills.co.uk or andy.challis@proskills.co.uk