Lifelong Learning: A Current and Future Imperative

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss some of the key topics when trying to understand the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic. In this article, Dr Abigail Taylor discusses the importance … Continue reading “Lifelong Learning: A Current and Future Imperative”

Has COVID-19 Changed the Terrain of Engagement?

Liam O’Farrell considers the impact of Covid-19 on civic engagement: Will the pandemic make authorities more interested in digital public consultation? This blog is based on a report called “States of participation: International Best Practice in Civic Engagement“. Given that Covid-19 has only recently become part of our lives, there has not yet been a … Continue reading “Has COVID-19 Changed the Terrain of Engagement?”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Older Workers

Professor Anne Green looks at the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown on the employment prospects of different age groups, focusing particularly on older workers and the challenges they face should they get made redundant. Introduction Much of the policy response in the wake of Covid-19 has focused on the plight of young people. … Continue reading “The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Older Workers”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Women

Professor Anne Green looks at the impact COVID-19 is having on the lives of women in the West Midlands, especially those from BAME groups.  Introduction This commentary draws in particular on two reports relating to the impact of Covid-19 on women and with a particular focus on the West Midlands. The first report from the … Continue reading “The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Women”

Informing Regional Recovery With Community Priorities: WM Citizens’ Panel

Anna Humphreys and Adam Hawksbee from the West Midlands Combined Authority explain why the West Midlands Recovery Coordination Group set up a panel of citizens to help with the recovery in the region, as well as the findings from the group, and what they prioritised. Over the past few months, the UK Government has asked an … Continue reading “Informing Regional Recovery With Community Priorities: WM Citizens’ Panel”

Commercialisation of University Research as a Pathway to Regional Growth

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss various topics, with this first publication focusing on how inclusive growth can be a tool to tackle regional imbalances across the UK. In this article, Dr Chloe Billing … Continue reading “Commercialisation of University Research as a Pathway to Regional Growth”

Helping NEET Young People Towards and Into Employment: Learning From Talent Match

In this blog, Professor Anne Green discusses Talent Match, a programme set up after the 2008 recession in response to rising unemployment,  with the aim of supporting young people aged 18-24 years, especially those who are furthest from the labour market (and sometimes ‘hidden’ from mainstream support) to achieve sustainable employment and fulfilling lives. In … Continue reading “Helping NEET Young People Towards and Into Employment: Learning From Talent Match”

Geographical and Social Mobility

Professor Anne Green investigates social mobility, both within classes and geographically reviewing how factors such as education, housing, internal migration, and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds makes a difference to people’s opportunities. Introduction On 23rd July the Social Mobility Commission published an important report entitled ‘Moving Out to Move On’ investigating the link between internal migration … Continue reading “Geographical and Social Mobility”

COVID-19 and Job Matching

In this blog, Professor Anne Green investigates the short and long-term impacts of Matching Interventions, one of the key policies in tackling the current labour market crisis. As in previous recessions, Covid-19 brings a massive economic shock across the country but with locally specific impacts. What is different about the current recession is that the … Continue reading “COVID-19 and Job Matching”

COVID-19 and Impacts on Education and Training: Challenges and Opportunities

Professor Anne Green discusses the effect COVID-19 is having on education and skills, including the many challenges now faced, but also that Coronavirus provides an opportunity to reshape and reform the sector. School closures and accentuated inequalities in educational achievement Despite a move to online learning, there is considerable concern about school closures leading to … Continue reading “COVID-19 and Impacts on Education and Training: Challenges and Opportunities”