APPrentice: Launch of online tool based on Net Costs of Training research
On 23 June, IER hosted an event to launch a newly developed online tool which provides estimates of the costs of apprenticeships to employers. The tool is based on the methodology and existing estimates produced in the Net Costs of Training Series (see Hogarth et al, 2012). APPrentice, uses information on the nature and structure of the apprenticeships provided by employers and provides them with an estimate of the net costs of training an apprentice and the period over which they can expect to recoup this investment after training the apprentice.
The launch event took place at the WBS offices in the Shard, London. In attendance were individuals from Skills Funding Agency, Federation Small Businesses, City & Guilds and other organisations with interests in training and Apprenticeships. Attendees provided further ideas for the tool's development and dissemination. The IER team responsible for the development of APPrenticecomprises co-authors of the Net Costs of Training studies, Terence Hogarth and Lynn Gambin, Luke Bosworth who was responsible tool's design and programming, and Stef Poole who has provided her usual excellent administrative and organisational support. For more information about APPrentice please email Stef Poole.
News
IER says farewell
This summer IER will lose three important members of staff – Terence Hogarth, Lynn Gambin and Yuxin Li. Between them they have invested over 40 years in IER.
Terence and Lynn have established a huge and hugely influential body of work on vocational education and training, including apprenticeships. This work has permeated government thinking both in the UK and EU. Terence is joining Italy-based Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (FGB) and Lynn is moving to Memorial University of Newfoundland in her native Canada.
A talented econometrician, Yuxin has contributed to many IER projects related to job search and employment in both UK and Europe contexts, and taught Research for Applied Economics at Department of Economics here at Warwick. Yuxin is moving to Shanghai University of International Studies.
We are sad to see our colleagues leave but delighted that all will continue their links with IER as Associate Fellows.
Events
CEDEFOP Seminar: Labour Market Information in Lifelong Guidance
On 16 May, Jenny Bimrose and Nick Sofroniou presented at a CEDEFOP seminar on Labour Market Information (LMI) in Lifelong Guidance (LLG) in Thessaloniki. This seminar was attended mostly by international experts in LMI and career guidance, with published research on the topic, as well as promoters of relevant projects in the EU. The workshop:
Presented the results of Cedefop’s study on LMI in lifelong guidance
Reflected upon conditions for the implementation of good practices
Discussed the key issues and challenges encountered when developing quality ICT and LMI for LLG
Discussed priorities for the development of LMI and ICT based services in the EU;
Identified further steps in the development of the LMI toolkits.
During the seminar, outputs from two of IER's projects were presented and highlighted: EmployID and the LMI for All. Professor Jenny Bimrose presented the keynote, mentioning EmployID and LMI for All and Dr. Nick Sofroniou presented on LMI for All in detail.
A short article has been published on Cedefop's website along with the outcomes and all the presentations of the workshop. Details can be found here.
Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy - evidence on Apprenticeships
Lynn Gambinpresented oral evidence to the Select Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy for their inquiry into apprenticeships and the 'skills gap'. The Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy is formed from sub-Committees of the Education Committee and the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee. It aims to bring together committee members in an innovative way to examine issues around education and skills, and how they impact upon business and the economy. The Oral Evidence Session took place at 2pm on 8 June and can be viewed here. Previously, Lynn served as Specialist Adviser to the Education Select Committee on an inquiry into Apprenticeships and Traineeships for 16-19 year olds (see report here).
Transitioning out of poverty: harnessing growth sectors
Anne Green presented a co-authored paper with Paul Sissons (Coventry University) and Neil Lee (LSE) at the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) International Conference in London at the LSE on 13 June. A link to the full paper is available here. This paper draws on findings from an ESRC-funded project on 'Harnessing Growth Sectors for Poverty Reduction'.
European Lifelong Guidance Conference
Deirdre Hughes chaired the 6th European Lifelong Guidance Conference held in Haarlam, The Netherlands, on 14-15 June 2016. This invitational conference, hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science with Euroguidance (The Netherlands), involved over 100 delegates from EU countries focusing on the role of lifelong guidance within regional and cross-sectoral policies and practices. A conference Summary Paper is now available. These findings are designed to stimulate further European, national and regional policy developments in education, vocational education & training (VET), social inclusion, public employment services and lifelong learning. Visit: http://euroguidance.eu/event/6th-european-conference-on-lifelong-guidance-policy/
Learning and Labour Market Information Symposium in Canada
Deirdre Hughes delivered a keynote address in Ottawa to the Assistant Deputy Minister Committee on Student Financial Assistance at the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Learning and Labour Market Information Symposium. Deputy Ministers from 10 provinces reviewed the UKCES 'LMI for ALL' and US 'Scorecard' as international exemplars of good/interesting policies and practices. The event was coordinated by Sheila Currie, Principal Research Associate, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, Canada (see: http://www.srdc.org/). Deirdre worked alongside Tannis Goddard (PhD student at IER) and Lisa Gelobter who works for the White House, in the United States Digital Service. Lisa is currently serving as the chief digital service officer with the US Department of Education. For more information on UKCES LMI for All, visit http://www.lmiforall.org.uk/.
London Conference on Employer Engagement in Education and Training
Lynn Gambin and Terence Hogarth will present a paper at the joint London Conference on Employer Engagement in Education and Training being hosted by the Education and Employers Charity and the Edge Foundation, with support from the Department for Education (England), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Barclays Lifeskills. The conference will take place on 21-22 July at the BIS Conference Centre in central London. The programme comprises new research on employer engagement in education and technical pathways, and explores implications for policy and practice. The conference will share research insights from around the world. Lynn and Terence will present their paper, entitled 'Aligning school to work: Assessing the impact of employer engagement with schools in assisting young people make the transition from school to work', on 21 July. For more information on the conference see http://www.educationandemployers.org/research/london-conference-on-employer-engagement-in-education-and-training-2016/. The preliminary conference programme can be found here.
Publications
Rural Labour Markets
IER's Anne Green has had a chapter on Rural Labour Markets published in a major new handbook of Rural Studies. The full reference is Green A (2016) 'Changing dynamics of rural labour markets' in Shucksmith M and Brown D L (eds) Routledge International Handbook of Rural Studies. Abingdon: Routledge. 143-153.
European Lifelong Guidance Conference
A new report on the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP) by IER's Heike Behle, Milena Kremakova and Clare Lyonette has been published. The International Baccalaureate Careers Programme is a new secondary school degree from the IB brand specifically designed for vocationally interested young people. The research looked at young people's transitions after leaving their secondary schools. Most students considered their time after the CP as successful, and more than half were optimistic that the CP would have further positive implications for their future. Students felt that the CP could contribute to their future pathways as they gained necessary knowledge, skills and competencies and gained a global view . Many said that they felt that due to their IBCP they gained a head start at higher education. The report can be downloaded here.
For information on any of IER's publications, research or other activities, please get in touch.
On 23 June, IER hosted an event to launch a newly developed online tool which provides estimates of the costs of apprenticeships to employers. The tool is based on the methodology and existing estimates produced in the Net Costs of Training Series (see 
The launch event took place at the WBS offices in the Shard, London. In attendance were individuals from Skills Funding Agency, Federation Small Businesses, City & Guilds and other organisations with interests in training and Apprenticeships. Attendees provided further ideas for the tool's development and dissemination. The IER team responsible for the development of 
Terence and Lynn have established a huge and hugely influential 
A talented econometrician, Yuxin has contributed to many IER projects related to job search and employment in both UK and Europe contexts, and taught Research for Applied Economics at Department of Economics here at Warwick. Yuxin is moving to Shanghai University of International Studies.
On 16 May, 
During the seminar, outputs from two of IER's projects were presented and highlighted: 
Rural Labour Markets