What are the productivity benefits of investment in skills? How do they occur, and how long do they last?

Background

The Industrial Strategy places skills at the heart of the UK’s growth ambitions. In an era of rapid technological change, the strength of the skills pipeline, from early education to digital literacy and leadership capability, will be pivotal. The government aims to enhance skills and increase access to talent. It is reforming the skills and employment support system to create a strong pipeline into the IS‑8 and future growth priorities, with opportunities for good jobs across the country. Building this future-ready workforce is essential for attracting globally mobile investment and enabling businesses to innovate and scale.

Next steps

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Research fields

Related UKRI funded projects

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    The project specifically focuses on investigating the relationship between skills and firm performance, as well as exploring the skill needs of British businesses in the future.

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    The project addresses the development of skills needed by businesses, driving growth across regions, and supporting innovation and diffusion, all relevant to the question.

  • Workforce productivity skills diagnostic platform - research and experimental development.

    Forget the productivity ‘puzzle’… Britain faces a productivity crisis. National and firm-level productivity in the UK has worried policy makers and business leaders for decades. But now flat growth, a debt overhang from ...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: EXCEL WITH BUSINESS LIMITED

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    The project focuses on developing a platform to diagnose skills gaps and optimize skills, which partially addresses the question on the productivity benefits of investment in skills.

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    The research to be carried out focuses on providing academic knowledge in the area of skills and employment to the project as it develops to ensure a robust evidence base. It will also react to employer needs for researc...

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