Celebrating 40 years of employment research at Warwick
What is now the Warwick Institute for Employment Research (IER) was established in 1981 under the leadership of Professor Robert Lindley. Its remit was - and still is - to provide research that helps solve policy and practice problems locally and globally. In this endeavour it is grateful to its research sponsors in government, research councils and charitable foundations for their support over the past 40 years. IER’s labour market forecasting exercises continue today for the UK Government as the periodic Working FuturesLink opens in a new window. Our other high impact projects include the research underpinning the development of Standard Occupational Classification system used by government statisticians in the UK and internationally and developing the software, CASCOT,Link opens in a new window to enable researchers worldwide to quickly classify occupations. We also undertook research on the UK's graduate labour market,Link opens in a new window research that informed the introduction of the UK Apprenticeship Levy and the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices that calls for a standard measure of job quality. More recently, we provided research to help the MoD transition service personnelLink opens in a new window into civil working lives, and provided research for the Department for Education to support Labour Market Information for All (LMI for AllLink opens in a new window) used by governments and careers guidance practitioners. Our Future of Work programmeLink opens in a new window examines the impact of robots and platform work (labour provided through, on, or mediated by online platforms) on jobs in Europe's labour markets. We also host ReWAGELink opens in a new window, a UK-wide expert group of advisors on improving work and employment in a post-Covid world. Read more, inclulding personal reflections from IER staff on the ILink opens in a new windowER news pageLink opens in a new window.
Employment outcomes of ex-service personnel
The research commissioned by the Forces in Mind TrustLink opens in a new window examined the longer-term employment outcomes of UK ex-service personnel. The research found that while the majority of ex-Service personnel maintain employment over time, it can often involve numerous jobs and periods of unemployment. So more support is needed to help veterans reach their full potential. The research recommends several initiatives to better prepare Service leavers for the civilian labour market and to ensure that employers can take advantage of this skilled cohort. The research was led by Natalie Fisher (IER Honorary Associate Professor) from QinetiQ, in partnership with IER and RFEA – Link opens in a new windowThe Forces Employment CharityLink opens in a new window.
A range of IER research was presented at the 44th International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) conferenceLink opens in a new window'Maximizing Potential of Career Guidance'. Career guidance and counselling professionals shared research on how career guidance can maximise the potential of individuals and communities. From IER Dr Sally-Anne BarnesLink opens in a new window, Dr Sally WrightLink opens in a new window and Emeritus Professor Jenny BimroseLink opens in a new window presented. The paper by Sally and Sally-Anne on 'New measures of progression to the labour market: Distance travelled models for the long-term unemployed' was voted 3rd highest rated contribution from over a 100 papers, whilst the 'Maximising the potential of a lifelong guidance ecosystem' by Sally-Anne, Jenny, Professor Alan BrownLink opens in a new window and colleagues from the University of Jyvaskyla, Dr Jaana Kettunen and Dr Raimo Vuorinen voted 9th.For more on the research presented, see the following publications:
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anne Fessi as the Communications & Engagement Manager for ReWAGELink opens in a new window, the Renewing Work Advisory Group of Experts launched in July and funded by the ESRC. Anne has over 20 years' experience of delivering strategic and tactical communications and stakeholder engagement. She has worked for the UK Government’s Department for Education, Ministry of Defence, NHS and the Skills Funding Agency. She joins IER from Ofqual and will be with ReWAGE until the end of 2022. Read more on ReWAGE hereLink opens in a new window.
Publications
Keep up to date with the latest IER reports on our website.
