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The key role of career adaptability in skills supply

The aim of the study, which formed part of the UK Commission’s National Skills Strategy Research Programme, was to extend and develop existing (national and international) knowledge about career adaptability, with particular emphasis on skills accumulation. The project provided a view on how the UK Commission for Employment and Skills could most effectively influence and/or provide advice in relation to support for the development and integration of career adaptability in practice. It provided a greater understanding of what happens when people change sectors during their careers and the role that upskilling and reskilling plays in supporting these changes. This is important in the current economic climate where the concept of a ‘job for life’ becomes less relevant and to be successful in the labour market individuals will increasingly need to move between sectors. The skills required to make these types of transitions will become critical, as will the type of support required for their acquisition and develop the skills required to be able to do this.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Examine how career adaptability could be used to raise the aspirations of individuals
  • Explore the potential of the concept of career adaptability to empower individuals to take positive decisions about developing their skills
  • Consider whether career adaptability had a role in making access to skills development opportunities more equitable
  • Understand how career adaptability could facilitate participation in skills development in a range of contexts
  • Investigate the influence of particular labour market conditions in supporting career adaptability

Outputs:

Bimrose, J., Brown, A., Barnes, S-A. and Hughes, D. (2011). The role of career adaptability in skills supply. Evidence report 35. Main report. London: UK Commission for Employment and Skills. ISBN 978-1-906597-82-5

Bimrose, J., Barnes, S-A., Brown, A. and Hughes, D. (2011). The role of career adaptability in skills supply (Technical report). London: UK Commission for Employment and Skills. ISBN: 978-1-906597-82-5

    Project duration: 2010-2011

    IER project team:

    Jenny Bimrose

    Alan Brown

    Sally-Anne Barnes

    Other team members:

    Deirdre Hughes, DMH Associates

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    Funder:

    UK Commission for Employment and Skills

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