Leitch Review

April 2006

The Leitch Review of Skills was set up to report back to Government on what skills profile the UK should aim to achieve in 2020 in order to support productivity and economic growth as well as social objectives over the longer term.  This ETB briefing paper explores some of the issues that emerege from this report for employers, education providers and students. For more information contact Rhys Holdaway

Lisbon Agenda

August 2007

The Lisbon Agenda, initiated in 2000 and revised in 2005, is the EU's strategic response to issues of low productivity and stagnation of economic growth within the context of emerging global competition from India and China.    

This briefing paper highlights the key issues that emerge from the agenda from the perpective of the science, engineering and technology sector. 

For more information contact Rhys Holdaway

Employer Demand For Apprenticeships

November 2007

The importance of intermediate vocational skills has been reflected in the work of sector
skills councils and the recent publication of the Leitch Review. However there are fears that this activity is being undermined by low demand for intermediate skills both from young people and employers. The ETB in conjunction with the SEEDA has commissioned a study to look at supply and demand for training in South East England.

Employer Engagement in Foundation Degrees

Foundation Degrees were introduced to integrate academic and work-based learning through close
collaboration between employers and programme providers.
However, anecdotal evidence has suggested that the
level of employer engagement in the degrees is variable. Consequently the ETB, alongside Foundation Degree Forward, commissioned a significant piece of quantitative and qualitative research to determine the reality of the relationship.