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The recession and its impact on training

Author: Alan Felstead
Institution: University of Cardiff
Type of case study: Research

About the research

The recession that gripped the world in 2008-2009 has had a deep impact on the economic outlook and landscape in Britain. The specific effects it had on the various parts of the UK economy are now being analysed to identify where improvements and changes are needed. Three researchers from Cardiff University and the Institute of Education have been looking into the ways in which the recession has impacted on training.

Their aim was to analyse, compare and explain the way the recession affected the state of training in the UK and the effect this would have (if any) on the ambition to make the UK a world leader in skills and employment by 2020.

The findings suggest that despite the severity of this recession, the impact on training participation rates was minimal. Going into this project, the researchers assumed there was a deregulated training market but instead they discovered that companies in the UK do not have a free hand to discard training easily. Instead, market intervention and business requirements ensure that training is sustained throughout tough times.

Methodology

This research used a mixed methods approach. The researchers conducted a quantitative analysis on data from the Labour Force Survey and the 2009 National Employer Skills Survey (not acquired from the UK Data Service). This was supplemented by qualitative analysis of telephone interviews conducted with employers during the latter period of the recession and into the recovery period alongside a review of existing academic work and policy evidence.

Publications

Felstead, A., Green, F., and Jewson, N. (2011) The impact of the 2008-09 recession on the extent, form and patterns of training at work (LLAKES Research Paper No. 22). Project funded by ESRC: RES-594-28-0001. Retrieved 4 September 2013 from http://www.llakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/22-Felstead-Green-Jewson-final-2011-compressed.pdf