IER Newsletter - August-September 2022 View this email in your browserLink opens in a new window ReWAGE news In August ReWAGE published a report in partnership with the Migration Observatory at Oxford University about labour shortages in the UKLink opens in a new window. The report found that whilst the end of free movement has exacerbated recruitment issues faced by UK employers it is by no means the only reason. Rather the pandemic, international sector-specific labour shortages and an increase in early retirement were more important factors. The report received wide national media coverage, and a second report is planned which will focus on the impact of labour shortages on the NHS. In September ReWAGE published a report authored by IER's Peter DickinsonLink opens in a new window, which set out the findings from a review of the employment chartersLink opens in a new window that have been produced by some of England’s Mayoral Combined Authorities. The report found that the charters all had common factors that led to their successful development – including support from the Mayor’s office. In addition, the charters all demonstrate leading-edge practice that could be shared across England and have the potential to support the government in its policy development in this area. Our series of profiles on ReWAGE Experts continued with a spotlight on Professor Tracey ShildrickLink opens in a new window. Improving social care in Australia In September, along with Sydney University colleagues Dr Angie Knox and Prof. Phil Bohle, Dr Sally WrightLink opens in a new window and Prof. Chris WarhurstLink opens in a new window of IER submitted evidence to the Australian Senate’s Select Committee Inquiry into Work and Care. Their submission focuses on the downsides of indirect employment, including labour hire, platform work and independent contracting in the social care sector in Australia, arguing that any shift to greater reliance on these types of labour practices is likely to further erode pay and working conditions. Drawing on the evidence, they highlight how improving job quality can heighten employee engagement and that highly engaged employees tend to be more committed and productive workers – which is what the social care sector needs. How can skill systems in Europe reduce the level of skills mismatch in labour markets? IER's Professor Terence HogarthLink opens in a new window has successfully secured Horizon Europe funding for his project Skills2Capability. Starting early next year, this project seeks to understand how skill systems across Europe can reduce the level of skills mismatch in their labour markets. It is recognised that future labour markets will be more mobile with more people moving between jobs, employers, and sectors more often. The study is thus concerned with understanding how skill systems can better respond to meeting skill demands in a more fluid labour market environment. It will provide government and education decision makers with information which allows them to obtain a better understanding of how emerging skill needs can be met. Find out more on the IER news websiteLink opens in a new window. New challenges for occupational safety and health in times of the digital transformation in Europe This three-year project aims to fill a gap in understanding the occupational health and safety (OSH) implications of platform work. This project (1) investigates OSH risks and regulations associated with platform work and (2) develops practical and policy recommendations for a good OSH environment for platform workers in Europe. The study brings together researchers from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Spain, Sweden (co-ordinator) and the UK, with IER undertaking cross-national research with its partners in addition to the UK study. Find out more on the IER project websiteLink opens in a new window. Representativeness of Apprenticeship Trailblazers Warwick IER were commissioned by the Gatsby Foundation to undertake research into the composition of Employer Apprenticeship Trailblazers. Collections of employers (Trailblazers) came together to determine which competencies should be included in each apprenticeship. However, to date, no analysis of the composition and representation of these Trailblazers has been undertaken. This research project fills this gap. Nine apprenticeship Standards have been selected, covering different apprenticeship levels and occupations. The employment size and sector of employers on the Trailblazers will be compared with those of all organisations which employ these occupations to determine how representative they are of employers who employ these occupations. In addition, analysis was undertaken across all Trailblazers to identify the representation of large employers on multiple Trailblazers, as well as the representation of 'other' organisations (such as professional bodies, sector organisations and learning providers). A report will be published in October 2022. Publications Cookingham Bailey, E., Sarter, E.K., Terry, V. (2022): "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Advocacy Work of Voluntary Sector Organisations in Wales." in: Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C. and Bynner, C. (eds.): COVID-19 and the Voluntary Sector in the UK. Responses, Impacts and AdaptationLink opens in a new window. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 118-129.   Link opens in a new window Share Link opens in a new window Tweet Link opens in a new window Forward Link opens in a new window Share Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|* Link opens in a new window Link opens in a new window Link opens in a new window Link opens in a new window