How can the skills system best support disadvantaged students into sustainable employment?
Background
DfE research interests for this pillar of the Opportunity Mission include enabling learners to make decisions that are informed by understanding the opportunities and support available, especially participation in further and higher education, and how continuing education affects their future opportunities. We also need to explore how our sectors can best prepare learners to take advantage of those opportunities, including in secondary education. We are especially interested in practices in further and higher education that engage less researched groups, such as those with care experience, those with SEND, experience of Alternate Provision, and children with a history of offending. However, this topic is not specific to further and higher education; for example, how different occupations and opportunities are conveyed to children at pre-school and school will influence their willingness to consider those paths in later life.
Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-areas-of-research-interest
Next steps
Get in touch with research.engagement@education.gov.uk
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
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Mind the Skills Gap: Lead. Innovate. Excel.
Introducing 'Mind the Skills Gap: Lead. Innovate. Excel.' This initiative, led by the young entrepreneur Rafmary M.R. Baker, is poised to reshape education and uplift under-served youth, carving a path towards a more inc...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Why might this be relevant?
The project addresses the skills system supporting disadvantaged students into sustainable employment through a comprehensive approach, including cognitive, social, emotional, and practical skills.
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Opportunity, equality and agency in England's new VET landscape: a longitudinal study of post-16 transitions
This 5-year study will investigate how England's vocational education and training (VET) system can better support the school-to-work transitions of the 50% of young people who do not go to university. Routes into furthe...
Funded by: ESRC
Why might this be relevant?
This project directly addresses the question by investigating how vocational education and training can better support young people in school-to-work transitions, including those who do not go to university.
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Governing the educational and labour market trajectories of secondary TVET graduates in Chile
Chile has experienced considerable educational expansion over the past few decades as a result of the growing demand for education from individuals and families and the positional competition for qualified jobs in the fo...
Funded by: Newton Fund
Why might this be relevant?
This project focuses on understanding the impact of TVET policies on the educational and labor market trajectories of secondary TVET graduates in Chile, directly relevant to supporting disadvantaged youth.