IER News & blogs
IER researchers present at the International Apprenticeship conference
IER's Dr Emily EricksonLink opens in a new window and Professor Terence HogarthLink opens in a new window presented research from the project at the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) conference, held in Hertfordshire on 5-6 May 2025. The conference brought together international experts to explore innovative approaches to apprenticeship systems and policies.
Their paper, titled 'The Road Less Travelled: The Passage Towards a Market-Based Apprenticeship System in England', examined the impact of policy changes on apprenticeship training content and participation levels within England's apprenticeship system. The research considers how various policy shifts and developments have influenced the evolution of apprenticeship provision, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by market-based approaches to skills development.
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Dr Sangwoo Lee on the Office for National Statistics Labour Market Update
The latest UK labour market data presents a mixed picture, with the employment rate showing modest improvement despite earlier indications of weakening demand. The unemployment rate has risen to 4.4%, continuing its upward trajectory, while the UK Claimant Count increased in February 2025. These suggest a persistent challenge of insufficient job creation, resulting in growing benefit dependency.
IER director at Global Labour Markets Conference
In February IER Director, Chris Warhurst, was an invited speaker at in the Global Labour Markets Conference in Riyadh. It is a new, annual event involving the World Bank, ILO and United Nations, global trade union organisations and C-suite business leaders. Chris participated in two sessions, the first a presidential style 鈥榞loves off鈥� debate about skills and AI and the second presenting IER鈥檚 work on green jobs and a just transition.
Self-employment and older workers in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic: seniorpreneurs, senior precarious or somewhere in between?
This book chapter examines self-employment among people aged 50 and over in the liberal market economies of Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA against the backdrop of the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of long-standing efforts aimed at increasing levels of older workers鈥� labour force participation. It features in the new , edited by Wieteke Conen and Enrico Reuter.