IER News & blogs

In the second of a series of podcasts, Professors Kate Purcell and Peter Elias from the University of Warwick's Institute for Employment Research discuss 'employability' and the skills graduates need in today's job market.

Professors Purcell and Elias are members of the IER research team responsible for Futuretrack, the most extensive investigation of the relationship between higher education and employment ever undertaken in the UK. The survey is being undertaken on behalf of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU).

The first of a series of seminars/workshops examining the relationship between higher education and employment will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2011 with papers from Dr Hans Dietrich (IAB, Nuremberg) and Professor Robert Wright (University of Strathclyde).

Futuretrack is the most extensive investigation of the relationship between higher education and employment ever undertaken in the UK. The survey, conducted by a research team at the University of Warwick on behalf of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU), is investigating students’ progress through higher education and their experiences in the graduate labour market.

The Stage 4 Survey is now open and available for completion. This is the final stage of the Futuretrack study, which has been tracking the cohort of 2005/06 applicants to higher education for the past seven years. It provides one last chance for members of the cohort to contribute to this investigation into the impact of educational and career decisions on access to opportunities and subsequent career routes.

The cohort of UCAS applicants from the 2005/06 admission round has been contacted to invite them to complete the questionnaire. Any 2005/06 applicant who has not received a request to participate, or who would like to join the survey now, can join now via the Futuretrack website.

Eligible respondents who complete the survey have a chance to win cash prizes: ten of £1,000 or one hundred of £100.

Professors Kate Purcell and Peter Elias discuss whether in today's financial climate it is still worth studying for a degree.

Professors Purcell and Elias are members of the IER research team responsible for Futuretrack, the most extensive investigation of the relationship between higher education and employment ever undertaken in the UK. The survey is being undertaken on behalf of the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU).

This week IER welcomes Professor Philip Taylor as a Visiting Fellow.

Professor Taylor is Director, Research and Graduate Studies at Monash University, Australia. During his visit he will give a seminar entitled Workability in Australia on Wednesday 16 November, which is to be held at 11:30 in B0.45 Social Science building.