Skills are key in delivering economic performance of an organisation as well as social mobility. In the UK, there is a focus on the supply of skills rather than the skills that employers need.
Explore our resources for further information about skills strategies, ‘T’ levels and graduates in the workplace.
Factsheets
Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic
1 Factsheets about Skills development
Factsheets
Skills development in the UK workplaceUnderstand what we mean by skills in the workplace, UK skill levels and the government’s skills policy.
Guides
Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.
2 Guides about Skills development
Guides
Youth employment and UK training: Guide for employersFind out how traineeships, T Levels and apprenticeships can help young people succeed in your organisation
For Members
Guides
Skills matching: Deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplaceWhen a person’s skills are well matched to their role, there are benefits for the individual and the organisation
For Members
Reports
Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations
22 Reports about Skills development
Reports
Devolution and evolution in UK skills policyA report seeking common ground in skills policy across the UK’s four nations
Reports
Migrant workers and skills shortages in the UKThis report looks at the role of immigration in the context of the post-Brexit skills challenges
Reports
What is the scale and impact of graduate overqualification in Scotland?Our report explores how Scottish graduate employment outcomes have changed over the past three decades and shines a light on job quality of overqualified graduates
Reports
What is the scale and impact of graduate overqualification in the UK?Our report explores how UK graduate employment outcomes have changed over the past three decades and shines a light on job quality of overqualified graduates
Reports
People Profession 2022: UK and Ireland survey reportThis year's report explores how global challenges have impacted people professionals in 2022
Reports
Employer views on skills policy in the UKAn analysis of the effectiveness of the skills system and whether it meets current and future needs
Reports
Skills policy in the North: recommendations for 'levelling up'We explore the reforms needed to improve workforce productivity in Northern England
Reports
Gaps and opportunities: Employer views on skills policy in ScotlandOur survey report considers the challenges of Scotland’s skills and labour shortages, as well as the skills development system more broadly, and how employers and policy-makers can bridge the identified gaps
Reports
Youth employment in the UK 2021Analysis of young people’s experiences of education and accessing employment
Reports
Addressing skills and labour shortages post-BrexitCIPD research reveals need for both short-term interventions and longer-term investment from the UK Government and employers to tackle skills and labour shortages
Reports
Unlocking business improvementPolicy recommendations to ensure long-term workplace productivity growth
Reports
Learning and skills at workOur survey report and case studies, produced in partnership with Accenture, examine current practices and trends in learning and development (L&D)
Reports
Skills to grow: the case for enhanced ILAs in ScotlandHow enhanced individual learning accounts can support economic recovery and tackle long-term skills challenges
Reports
Productivity and place: The role of LEPsInvestigates the extent to which Local Enterprise Partnerships understand and are putting in place policies and programmes to address skills demand and use
Reports
Investigating the untapped potential of UK skillsInsight on how well workers’ skills are being used and developed at work along with practice guidance on countering skills mismatches
Reports
We examine employers' views on youth employability and the Government's new technical study programme scheduled for 2020
Reports
Making the UK's skills system world classReviews skills policy and offers thoughts and recommendations on how the UK can improve its performance
Reports
Attitudes to employability and talentExplore individuals’ and employers' attitudes towards employability and responsibilities for career development in the UK
Reports
Employee Outlook: skills and careersA third of employees are disappointed with their career progression. Discover the underlying causes of this dissatisfaction
Reports
The role of employers in unlocking workplace skillsExamines what the concept of employer ownership of skills means and the implications of a shift towards greater employer ownership
Reports
Over-qualification in the graduate labour marketExamines the evidence of graduate over-qualification in the UK and Europe, questioning the size of the higher education sector in relation to labour market needs
Reports
The business case for investing in young peopleHow to successfully recruit young people, the kind of employer support required and the benefits of doing so
Thought leadership
Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work
36 Thought leadership about Skills development
Thought leadership
Stormont is back - but what should it focus on?What are the priorities for Northern Ireland as its devolved government makes a full return after two years?
Thought leadership
Unlocking economic growth in upcoming UK Autumn StatementBen Willmott outlines the CIPD’s calls to the UK Government for long term investment in people management, skills and technology
Thought leadership
Engaging with the UK’s main political partiesCarl Quilliam recounts the CIPD’s activities at the UK’s three main political party conferences in 2023
Thought leadership
NI Skills Council: Public policy in the absence of institutionsIn September 2023, the CIPD attended the first formal meeting of the Northern Ireland Skills Council in Belfast. Marek Zemanik highlights its importance to public policy, despite the recent challenges to policy-making in Northern Ireland
Thought leadership
UK Government pledges “crackdown on rip-off degrees”Are some degrees worth it? Lizzie Crowley discusses the latest UK Government policy cracking down on ‘rip-off degrees’ and explores alternatives to support more people getting into work
Thought leadership
Technical skills for the future workforce: New support and flexibilities on T Level placementsAre T Levels worth having? Lizzie Crowley, the CIPD's Senior Policy Adviser on skills, raises this question, while looking at the advantages of the T Levels and the UK Government’s new programme
Thought leadership
How to boost the UK labour supplyJon Boys, the CIPD’s senior labour market economist, investigates potential sources of labour and public policy changes to maximise labour market participation
Thought leadership
Growth of graduates in low-skilled work suggests a fundamental rethink of skills policy is neededWhy are more graduates taking on non-graduate roles when entering the labour market? Lizzie Crowley addresses this question in her Voice article by analysing our latest report on the subject.
Thought leadership
The cost of living crisis – what next?Marek Zemanik’s CIPD Voice article examines the cost of living crisis and the impact it will have on employees
Thought leadership
Skills policy – the employer's viewDoes the UK Government need to reform its current skills policy? Lizzie Crowley discusses this question by looking into CIPD’s latest analysis ‘Employer views on skills policy in the UK’
Thought leadership
Gaps and opportunities: Employer views on skills policy in ScotlandMarek Zemanik’s CIPD Voice article analyses the findings from CIPD’s recent report, gaps and opportunities: employer views on skills policy in Scotland
Thought leadership
Planning tax for trainingMark Beatson’s article discusses the Chancellor’s latest Spring Statement and the impact it has on employers and employees.
Thought leadership
What does the levelling up white paper mean for skills?Lizzie Crowley discusses the implications of the UK Government’s recently released levelling up white paper
Thought leadership
What the UK needs for Christmas is a coherent productivity strategyHead of Public Policy, Ben Willmott discusses the upcoming levelling-up white paper and the on-going productivity challenge in the UK
Thought leadership
Responding to the skills strategy for Northern IrelandMarek Zemanik’s CIPD Voice article discusses our response to the recently published consultation from the Northern Irish Department for the Economy: Skills for a 10x Economy. .
Thought leadership
One election down, one to go- what does it mean for CIPD members?Marek Zemanik discusses the public policy decisions being made in Scotland and Northern Ireland and how people professionals can get involved to help shape the future world of work
Thought leadership
COVID-19 has reduced investment in skills and learning but also prompted organisations to be more future focusedLizzie Crowley examines the results from CIPD’s Learning and Skills at Work Survey 2021, and discusses how the world of work will change after the pandemic
Thought leadership
Enhanced individual learning accounts in ScotlandMarek Zemanik discusses CIPD Scotland's recent Skills to Grow report, looking at how individual learning accounts can be so beneficial in meeting the challenges posed by a changing economy and evolving skills needs
Thought leadership
The HR community are stepping up to support young people during the pandemicLizzie Crowley's article looks into how government schemes such as Kickstart, as well as the CIPD's own Steps Ahead programme, can help in relation to rising youth unemployment
Thought leadership
Urgent need to boost employer awareness of new technical qualificationsLizzie Crowley discusses employers' perceptions of T-Levels and how they have been affected by COVID-19
Thought leadership
Protecting young people from unemploymentLizzie Crowley focuses on how the current pandemic will affect youth employment
Thought leadership
Politics can wait – Scotland's coronavirus responseMarek Zemanik looks at how the UK Government and the Scottish Government are supporting businesses, and what can be done differently during the pandemic
Thought leadership
Upskilling and reskilling now to prepare for the post-pandemic economyLizzie Crowley discusses the importance of training and development of employees during the pandemic, and what the Government can be doing to support organisations through online courses
Thought leadership
Devolution and public policy: Scotland leading the wayMarek Zemanik – Senior Public Policy Adviser in Scotland, looks into the key areas of work CIPD Scotland will be delving into this year, examining fair work, skills and productivity
Thought leadership
The role of apprenticeships in workforce development: Is a fundamental rethink required?Lizzie Crowley reflects on a recent roundtable event on apprenticeship reform and how to improve the system
Thought leadership
Tackling the future ‘human’ skills deficit togetherAs technology drives a revolution in the workplace - transforming the way we work and the job opportunities available - Lizzie Crowley argues that it is human skills and capabilities that will always be important to how people work
Thought leadership
'Human' skills to be included in new 'essential skills framework'Amie Evans argues that the skills we will need for the future are human
Thought leadership
Review of post-18 education: a focus on higher technical educationLizzie Crowley discusses the recently published Augar Review into post-18 education, identifying some of its key findings and recommendations for reforms to the system
Thought leadership
Breaking down the barriersKatherine Garrett discusses the important role employers have to play in helping young people reach their potential, even before they leave school
Thought leadership
The Apprenticeship Levy two years onLizzie Crowley investigates the impact of the apprenticeship levy two years after it was first introduced, calling on UK Government to rethink
Thought leadership
How can businesses make the most of the skills in the UK workforce?Lizzie Crowley sets out a strategy to utilise the UK's highly skilled workforce in a market where there aren't enough jobs
Thought leadership
T-Levels could transform the vocational education landscapeThe first wave of T Levels will be introduced in 2020, a bid from the UK Government to make sure young people are ready for work. Lizzie Crowley discusses the CIPD’s latest research.
Thought leadership
AI can be used to free up staff to focus on the softer skills that machines can’t replicateYou could say we’ve entered a golden age of computers, where the sheer volume of data and vastly improved computing power have created the perfect conditions for developing artificial intelligence
Thought leadership
New review of post-18 education is welcome, but must not ignore further educationLizzie Crowley contextualises the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of the year-long review into post-18 education in the UK
Thought leadership
The graduate employment gap: Expectations versus realityThis report draws on the latest data on graduate destinations from the Higher Education Statistics Agency for 2015/16, which looks at graduate outcomes roughly six months after graduation
Thought leadership
Improving the quality, reach and accessibility of careers management servicesLizzie Crowley reflects on how A-Level results day shines a spotlight on the need for improved careers information, advice and guidance for young people
Podcasts
Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.
2 Podcasts about Skills development
Podcasts
Leading from the heart: making an impact through soft skillsEpisode 166: Nurturing and developing soft skills are essential for business, but how can a greater emphasis on utilising and measuring ‘softer’ skills can benefit your organisation?
Podcasts
Critical thinkingEpisode 154: How to think well and reflect objectively on the ideas, opinions and arguments of others.
Bitesize research
Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize
6 Bitesize research about Skills development
Bitesize research
Addressing skills gaps and poor job quality among disadvantaged groupsEmployers and job seekers alike can benefit when they collaborate to develop training and employment opportunities through local skills eco-systems
For Members
Bitesize research
Six steps to upskilling your peopleHelp your organisation meet today’s skill-demands
For Members
Bitesize research
Looking beyond degrees – the case for competency-based hiringThe arguments for revisiting your talent strategy
For Members
Bitesize research
Working together to bridge the skills gapRead summaries of these case studies
For Members
Bitesize research
Read how AT&T created a new blueprint for sourcing future skills
For Members
Bitesize research
Green skills – an opportunity wasted?How realistic are expectations around extensive job creation and upskilling proving to be?
For Members
CIPD Viewpoint
Our collected point of view on the key issues impacting work, from the perspective of employers and policy makers.
3 CIPD Viewpoints about Skills development
CIPD Viewpoint
Essential skillsExplore the CIPD’s point of view on essential skills, including recommendations for employers
CIPD Viewpoint
Apprenticeships and investment in trainingExplore the CIPD’s point of view on apprenticeships and investment in training, including recommendations for employers and actions for the UK Government
CIPD Viewpoint
Technical educationExplore the CIPD’s point of view on technical education and T Levels, including actions for the UK Government and recommendations for employers
Policy engagement
Our calls for action.
5 Policy engagements about Skills development
Policy engagement
Calling for a comprehensive economic strategy to help the UK out of recessionRead our submission to the UK’s Chancellor, ahead of the March 2024 budget statement
Policy engagement
Calling for an Autumn Statement that drives economic growth and supports better work and working lives in the UKRead the CIPD’s November 2023 submission to His Majesty’s Treasury
Policy engagement
CIPD Manifesto for Good WorkWe’re calling on the UK Government to create a long-term workforce strategy centred on skilled, healthy and fair work
Policy engagement
A revitalised industrial strategy to boost innovation and productivity across all sectors of the UK's economyWe’ve been engaging with key stakeholders and policy makers to make the case for changes to a range of policy areas including skills development and labour market enforcement
Policy engagement
Comprehensive Spending ReviewRead the CIPD's submission to Her Majesty's Treasury
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