Research
Welcome to the Research pages of the Education and Employers
Taskforce website. We regularly update these pages with the latest
relevant research. Please also visit our Taskforce Research
Conference 2010 and Research Report sections.
Newly available research highlights demand for, and value, of
education-employer partnerships.
KPMG research published July 2010
New KPMG research covering primary, secondary, special schools
and academies shows that the quality and amount of education and
employer engagement varies considerably between schools. A total of
63% of schools say that employer engagement is very
beneficial or extremely beneficial. While 75% of
school leaders believe that employer engagement has a positive
impact on exam results and academic attainment.
The report concludes: "Schools believe that as well as adding to
the skills of the young people, partnerships with employers inspire
and motivate young people, who not only see the possibilities that
they have after school, but understand to a greater extent the
importance of their school work. Our interviews with head teachers
supported this, with almost all mentioning in particular the
importance of employer engagement in raising aspirations amongst
pupils at an early age, especially in areas with high levels of
deprivation."
For the full report visit: Investigation of school
employer partnerships, KPMG 2010
Recent research
In March 2010 the Taskforce released four
research papers which collectively provide significant new data on
the value of partnerships between employers and schools and
colleges. Three Taskforce partners have worked with the Taskforce
to bring into the public domain, important survey findings on the
views of young people and schools towards engagement with
employers.
IEBE's 2008 survey of 15,000 young people who had recently
completed work experience shows that pupils overwhelmingly value
their work placements and see them as having positive impacts on
their motivation to learn at school.
BITC's 2007 survey of 400 school leaders, split evenly between
primary and secondary schools, shows a vast majority wanting more
engagement from employers and seeing real benefits in
collaboration.
B-live's 2007 survey of the careers aspirations of young people
highlights a disjuncture between job goals and labour market
realities.
Also, published February 2010, is a rare public analysis of the
impact of work experience and part-time work on young people
drawing on data from large scale longitudinal studies.
New research available
IEBE DCSF work experience impact measures report - the
full report
(pdf)
BITC Edcoms 2007 survey of 400 school leaders - the full report (pdf)
Cool Careers Culture Widens the UK's Skills Gap - the
full
report (pdf)
Work experience versus part-time employment - the
full report (pdf)
Additional background
Guidance for commissioners of evaluation of
education-employer initiatives- the full report
(pdf)
For further information please visit our Expert
Working Group on Research
What is to be gained?
This new report developed by the Taskforce Group on Research
takes stock of ten years of research into the benefits of
collaboration between schools and colleges and employers.
Considering the range of potential benefits for young people,
school leaders and to employers, the report pulls together
compelling evidence of impact.
Read the full report
(pdf).