Early Assessment of the Digital Innovators Ideator

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) commissioned an independent report, produced by City-REDI, which evaluates the programme theory and impact of the Digital Innovators Ideator. Alice Pugh discusses the evalution. The Ideator is a programme for young people (aged 16 to 24), focusing on young people at risk of becoming NEET (not … Continue reading “Early Assessment of the Digital Innovators Ideator”

How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?

In our latest podcast, Chris Millward, Professor of Practice in Education Policy at the School of Education, University of Birmingham talks to Peter Creticos, President and Executive Director, at the Institute for Work and the Economy in Chicago and Ewart Keep, Professor of Education, Training and Skills at the University of Oxford, about skills policy … Continue reading “How Can National and Local Skills Policies Encourage Collaboration Between Universities, Colleges and Employers To Drive Productivity, Innovation and Growth?”

Skills and Regional Economic Development

Anne Green and Abigail Taylor discuss skills policy in the UK. How can we improve skill provision to reduce regional economical disparity? This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022.  The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of … Continue reading “Skills and Regional Economic Development”

How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages

Abigail Taylor and Ceri Hughes discuss how a more local approach to Employment Support is needed to help tackle UK labour shortages. This blog was originally written for the conversation. This blog is also based on work conducted with Anne Green and Paul Sissons. There has been a rise in “economic inactivity” in the UK among … Continue reading “How Better Local Employment Support Could Help Tackle UK Labour Shortages”

How can Universities, Colleges and Employers Deliver the Skills for Local Productivity, Innovation and Prosperity?

In this Policy Briefing, Professor Anne Green, Professor Chris Millward and Dr Abigail Taylor reflect on discussions during the Universities and Regions Forum skills seminar organised by City-REDI / WMREDI. They outline fundamental challenges which need to be addressed to improve skills systems in England. Find out more about this project. Introduction The UK is … Continue reading “How can Universities, Colleges and Employers Deliver the Skills for Local Productivity, Innovation and Prosperity?”

The Role of Universities in the Growth and Skills Agenda

Tom Lewis from Univerisities UK reports on the recent University Group APPG on 29th November, where they discussed the role of Universities in the growth and skills agenda. The All-Party Parliamentary University Group (APPUG) acts as a key avenue of communication between parliamentarians and vice-chancellors of the UK’s universities, providing an opportunity to examine issues … Continue reading “The Role of Universities in the Growth and Skills Agenda”

What Are the Current Challenges in the UK Labour Market and How Can They Be Addressed?

Dr Kostas Kollydas and Dr Abigail Taylor discuss current labour market challenges faced in the UK. You can find more analyis on the UK Labour Market in our blog – Why are the Over-50s Leaving the Workforce? Labour Market Flows and Future Participation Flows. – How do Fertility Rates and Childcare Costs Play out in … Continue reading “What Are the Current Challenges in the UK Labour Market and How Can They Be Addressed?”

Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills

Anne Green and Abigail Taylor discuss their new project with Connecting Futures to identify, describe and map funding flows from national to local areas for youth employment and skills. Visit the Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills webpage. Background The Connected Futures Fund (CFF) is a £16 million fund from the Youth Futures … Continue reading “Local Funding Flows for Youth Employment and Skills”

Priorities for up-Skilling and Re-Skilling: What Role Can and Should Universities Play?

In this blog, Dr Abigail Taylor, Professor Anne Green and Dr Sara Hassan share findings from their recent research project examining the role that universities and colleges in the West Midlands can and should play in up-skilling and re-skilling. Today WMREDI are publishing findings from a research project examining the role of universities in skills … Continue reading “Priorities for up-Skilling and Re-Skilling: What Role Can and Should Universities Play?”