ReWAGE has just published an evidence paper in partnership with the Migration Observatory at Oxford University. Migration and the health and care workforceLink opens in a new window focuses on the major role that overseas workers have played in filling recruitment shortages in the health and social care sector but considers why this could pose risks as a longer-term strategy. The paper was reported in The GuardianLink opens in a new window.
Other recent activity includes the submission of a response to the Low Pay Commission consultation on evidence to inform recommendations on minimum wage rates in 2024, and a presentation by a group of ReWAGE experts to Skills Development Scotland. Several ReWAGE publications will be presented to government colleagues from DWP, DfE, DBT during July.
In our ongoing bid to recognise the amazing contribution of ReWAGE’s experts, we’ve just published profiles on Kevin DanielsLink opens in a new window, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia.
Disconnections in the education-training-work-continuum
Dr Jamelia HarrisLink opens in a new window published an article as part of the NORRAG Special Issue NSI 08: The Education-Training-Work Continuums: Pathways to Socio-Professional Inclusion for Youth and Adults. The Special Issue is part of a collaboration with the ILO and focuses on the discontinuities that currently exist between education, training and decent work, arguing that existing discontinuities between these three fields create and reinforce exclusions and inequalities for already marginalised groups.
Jamelia's articleLink opens in a new window reflects on how aid interventions in post-war Sierra Leone likely contribute to discontinuities in the education–training–work continuum. Though interventions are all well-intended, design and implementation shortcomings often contribute to graduates and trainees being underemployed, informally employed, or unemployed. A multi-stakeholder approach which includes the formal private sector is needed. Jamelia presented the findings as part of the official Special Issue LaunchLink opens in a new window on June 21st.
IER’s skills expert Terence HogarthLink opens in a new window was a panelist at Cedefop’s online evenLink opens in a new windowt on 22 June, discussing policy responses to shortages along with fellow panelists Ben Kriechel (Economix), Sylvain Renouvel (Federation of European Social Employers) and Tuscany Bell (European Federation of Public Service Unions).
The event featured presentations on Cedefop's future shortage indicator, drivers of recruitment difficulties and skill shortages in Canada.
IER and UWI explore collaboration
Reanti Singh from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus, visited the IER on June 21st as part of a learning exercise.
UWI St. AugustineLink opens in a new window is currently exploring possibilities for better understanding graduate outcomes and how to better prepare graduates to meet the demands of employers as the labour market and economic sectors continues to evolve. IER has been leading methodological development and policy debates in these areas with flagship projects like FuturetrackLink opens in a new window and Working FuturesLink opens in a new window, which UWI is eager to learn from. IER and UWI will explore collaborations in these areas as UWI works towards improving labour market information in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.
