Latest Publications

Latest Publications:

Publication

Fulfilling its potential? How well does the careers information, advice and guidance serve the people it is meant to support in England?

This report examines school leavers and adult learners’ experiences of careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) in England. Drawing on focus groups with school leavers, adult learners and parents, plus discussions with experts and practitioners, it presents new evidence on the way that people engage with IAG. The report makes policy recommendations in order to increase the personalisation, accountability, and accessibility of IAG.
Published: 01 April 2022
Author(s): Niamh O Regan, Aveek Bhattacharya
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Publication

Installing for time? New evidence on the attitudes of home heat installers towards decarbonisation and heat pumps

This report draws attention to the home heat workforce - the plumbers, heating and gas engineers, and installers - who will be playing an essential in delivering the UK's net zero targets. It provides much-needed insight into the challenges and barriers facing the industry, and highlights the need for policymakers to step in and address them.
Published: 08 February 2022
Author(s): Amy Norman, Niamh O Regan
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Publication

Signal failure: How can we get more value and less waste from our education system?

This paper discusses the issue of signalling in education – the possibility that some forms of education may do little directly to improve learners’ skills and effectiveness, but may be used primarily to demonstrate or ‘signal’ their pre-existing traits or ability.
Published: 30 September 2021
Author(s): Aveek Bhattacharya, Chris Percy
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Publication

The education divide is about disrespect: why it matters and what graduates should do about it

Disrespect causes disruption – Decision-makers and people with influence urgently need to address the deficit in respect between graduates and those without a degree, recognising that the emphasis on high-level...
Published: 21 September 2021
Author: Rt Hon Stowell of Beeston
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Publication

Not just other people’s children: what the public thinks about vocational education

In this briefing, we present the results of a nationally representative survey which shows that the general public believe vocational qualifications to be just as useful and desirable as a university degree.
Published: 22 April 2021
Author: Aveek Bhattacharya
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Publication

Missing the story: the UK media’s neglect of Further Education

This essay is not a conventional think-tank report. It is not, directly at least, about government policies or national priorities, but about the climate in which policies and priorities are set.
Published: 31 March 2021
Author: James Kirkup
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Publication

Study buddies? Competition and collaboration between higher education and further education

This report, supported by the Further Education Trust for Leadership, examines the relationship between further education (FE) and higher education (HE) and assesses how the two sectors cooperate and compete.
Published: 17 March 2021
Author(s): Aveek Bhattacharya, Amy Norman
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Publication

(Adult) education, education, education

This report explores the role that adult education does and could play in improving the labour market outcomes of low-income households. It draws on desk research, quantitative analysis and in-depth interviews with both participants and non-participants in adult education from low-income households, and provides a series of policy considerations
Published: 12 November 2020
Author(s): Aveek Bhattacharya, Scott Corfe, Amy Norman
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Publication

A new safety net: guaranteeing jobs and training after the crisis

This briefing paper provides an overview of the case for Universal Job Guarantee, and why it should be harnessed in order to build and implement an effective social security system for life on the other side of our current crisis.
Published: 10 May 2020
Author(s): Kathryn Petrie, Jake Shepherd
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