We carry out research for a range of partners in the West Midlands. Our areas of expertise include skills, economic inclusion, low carbon, enterprise and innovation, culture, policy assessment modelling and defining functioning economic areas.
We offer hard facts and objective assessment of what those facts tell us, helping decision makers take tough policy decisions with a sense of confidence about the future.
Recent work includes:
West Midlands skills assessment 2010
Updated 4 February 2011
Our assessment provides an overview of the changing needs of the West Midlands' labour market, with detailed exploration of key issues by sector and by local area. We produced briefings on the local impact of public sector cuts, skill gaps and deficiencies, and supply of and demand for employment at a local level.
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Apprenticeships data packs
Published 3 February 2011
We worked with the National Apprenticeships Service to develop an apprenticeship data pack for each local authority in the West Midlands. The packs consist of a dashboard and PowerPoint slides, and include information on the supply and demand of apprenticeships, vacancies, rates of attrition and the distirbution of apprenticeship opportunities.
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West Midlands skills investment priorities 2011-2012: a framework for measuring success
Published 30 November 2010
Our baseline report considers and agrees ‘what success looks like’ in terms of delivering ‘more jobs, better jobs’ in the West Midlands. We developed it in two parts to reflect the objectives in West Midlands Skills Investment Priorities 2011–12: businesses and individuals.
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Read the report » (pdf, 1.15mb)
Future prospects for entry level employment
Published 23 November 2010
In this research we look at the future demand for entry level jobs. We also look at those jobs that could provide a step into employment for people who have been workless and out of the labour market for a long period, particularly those with low skills levels.
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State of the West Midlands 2010
Published 2 November 2010
Our report sets out the evidence for the key challenges facing the West Midlands and its local areas.
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Local impact of public sector job cuts
4 October 2010
This first briefing paper from our annual assessment of the skills and labour market in the West Midlands examines the local impact of public sector job cuts.
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Read the briefing paper » (pdf, 351kb)
Economic links between the West Midlands and emerging economies
Published 30 September 2010
Key findings, report and data from our research to understand the impact of international trade with the world's emerging economies.
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Impact investment locations
Published 13 July 2010
We analysed potential for job creation and associated demand for skills at 15 of the 20 impact investment locations in the West Midlands. These locations are areas in which investment in economic development, regeneration and transport should be concentrated to support economic growth.
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West Midlands economy post recession
Published 29 June 2010
This research provides insight into existing and likely future skills needs in the West Midlands. We considered the changing needs of the West Midlands economy and labour market as it moves out of recession to help inform decisions of employers, individuals and skills providers.
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Worklessness in the West Midlands: the impact of demographics and multiple risk factors
Published 7 June 2010
We explored the impact of demographics and multiple risk factors in determining an individual's chances of being workless. We looked at the impact of some of these risk factors, alone and in combination with each other, on the probability of worklessness in the West Midlands and England.
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Analysis of sub-regional dynamics in the West Midlands
Published 23 March 2010
We did a study of the evidence about relationships between places within the West Midlands. The work aimed to increase understanding of sub-regional geographies within the West Midlands, based on functional relationships. It will help staff in local authorities and groups of local authority areas identify where they have relationships with neighbours and inform them on issues where they need to work together.
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Growth into a low carbon economy in the West Midlands
Published 8 March 2010
A low carbon economy is one where businesses deliver products and services while reducing their level of carbon emissions. This research gives a better understanding of opportunities the low carbon economy can deliver in the West Midlands.
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Innovation dashboard
Updated 25 March 2010
We developed a dashboard of indicators to measure innovation performance in the West Midlands. The dashboard covers a range of measures including inputs to, links through, and outputs from various innovation processes.
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