Role of skills in helping people to make the transition from unemployment to sustainable jobs with progression
This study provides a review of evidence on role of upskilling as a lever in helping people make the transition from worklessness into sustainable jobs with progression. The project includes a review of the quantity and quality of low paid work and the nature and outcomes of skills interventions and policy in the UK and abroad.
This study is shaped by the recognition that while there has been a great deal of policy development around the transition from unemployment and inactivity to employment over the last decade, policy has not been sufficiently informed about how best to nurture sustainable employment for those at risk of labour market exclusion.
Crucially the study has a 2005+ focus and provides a review of data, UK and international literature and, incorporates findings from four international case studies – Australia, Germany, Denmark and the United States.
The report provides an overview of the economic context for low pay and low skilled work and highlights the need for a continuing commitment to promoting opportunities in the labour market as a means of progression and alleviating poverty and encouraging social mobility. It reviews the factors which motivate individuals to develop skills and the propensity to undertake training before exploring the contribution that skills and training make to the transition from benefits to work. The report draws on the evidence to identify the success factors associated with the role of skills in the transition from benefits to work. The report goes on to explore retention in work and the dynamics of progression from low paid (sometimes referred to as ‘dead end’) jobs. It explored the role of upskilling and identifies critical success factors to support progression from low paid work.
The final report will be uploaded to the website shortly.
