EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Workplace training and the high skills vision

Workplace training and the high skills vision

Introduction

This paper reviews the evidence on variations in Investors in People (IiP) accreditation rates across industrial sector, and on the impact of IiP on training and development activity in the UK.

Description

This paper:

researches the uptake and impact of IiP in the UK;
explores the new directions the Standard is taking including changing delivery mechanisms, and the increasing internationalisation of the Standard with countries such as Germany, South Africa, and Australia all running pilot studies of IiP's potential application;
discusses the policy implications that arise from the research findings; and
considers the extent to which IiP has the potential to contribute to the development of a higher skilled workforce, a high skills vision and a learning society.

Background information

Much of the debate so far on IiP has focused on the extent of uptake and the aim of this research was to broaden the debate further by providing a comprehensive overview of the research published to date on the nature, incidence and impact of IiP. The research was carried out by the Warwick Business School, the Birmingham Business School and the Nottingham University Business School.

Methodology

The research is based on a literature review of current research evidence on IiP.

Conclusions

The research found that IiP has had mixed effects. On the positive side it was found to be one of the longest standing government-led training initiatives and one of the few that starts from the premise of assessing the demand for skills in workplaces rather than simply focusing on increasing supply. On the negative side, it was evident through the research that IiP has a number of shortcomings, in terms of variable accreditation rates and in terms of the extent and nature of skills training that accreditation has encouraged. The researchers therefore found that the value of IiP as a mechanism for realising the high skills vision currently remains questionable.

Contact info

SKOPE (ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance)
Ms Fiona Chavner (Administrator), tel. +44 1865 271087

Publication date

01/01/2004

Researcher

Emma Bell et al

Article info
ISSN: 14661535

Links

SKOPE (ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance)Warwick Business School Birmingham Business School Nottingham University Business School

Workplace Training and the High Skills Vision: Where does Investors in People fit? (PDF, Eng, 138KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Training

Keywords

Vocational training