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WIFO
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the UK there has been a noticeable increase in research activity, reflecting
the growing use of education and skills as a means of ensuring social cohesion,
and this has been particularly evident at regional levels. The Work Foundation
in their recent report reached the conclusion that “Britain suffers from
a legacy of low levels of basic skills for many”, but that because of this
the UK has moved to remedy these deficiencies. Current themes addressed
in VET/HRD research and development projects have, among others, included
social inclusion and skills, social mobility, mass higher education and
learning in the workplace, the impact of skills on performance and the
meaning of skill all of which are briefly summarised in section 3. The
major institutions involved in VRT/HRD research and developments in the
UK are the Treasury, the DTI, DWP, DfES, LSC, LSDA, SSDA, RDAs, NFER, CIPD,
TUC and host of other university departments and government agencies listed
in section 4. The chief funding drivers for research have been the Economic
and Social Research Council, the Treasury, the DTI, regional development
agencies and a number other institutions discussed in section 5. Professional
research associations and networks such as the BERA, BECTA and CERUK and
covered in section 6. The UK government has recognised the importance of
evidence-based research and that it adds value to education and training
and in so doing increases the UK’s competitiveness. Moreover, it is predicted
that the major challenge in the future will be for VET researchers to forge
links with regional economies, economists seeking to improve the UK’s productivity
and management and human resources specialists with an interest in high
performance work organisation. VET/HRD contact people and references to
VET/HRD research resources are listed in sections 8 and 9 respectively. |
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