Institute for Employment Research » IER News & blogs

New publication: Job quality and worker health in hospitality

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

IER's Dr Sangwoo Lee and Prof Chris Warhurst, alongside Prof Angela Knox (University of Sydney) and Dr Sally Wright (University of Sheffield), have published a new article titled "Understanding the relationship between job quality and general health in hospitality: Evidence from Australia". It draws on survey data from 427 Australian hospitality workers to examine how six dimensions of job quality relate to workers' self-rated general health, and whether these relationships vary by gender.

The findings point to the need for structural, job-level interventions, for instance, stronger workplace representation, reduced employment insecurity, expanded training and progression, and improved pay, alongside gender-sensitive measures targeting autonomy for female workers and social support for male workers.

Dr Erickson’s evidence to the youth employment inquiry

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

We were delighted that IER’s Dr Emily Erickson was invited to give evidence to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee on 20 May, contributing to an international panel of experts. Chaired by Debbie Abrahams MP, the committee’s inquiry ‘Youth employment, education and training’ aligns with the Government’s focus on youth employment.

The Committee was keen to understand how the UK compares to other nations and what solutions can be shared. Emily highlighted findings from two international projects on apprenticeships (Skills2Capabilities and a Matched Plant study) as well as work to develop a shared vision for a high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system for England by 2050 (VET2050).

IER publication spotlight: The reality of financial aid in Britain’s private schools

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

IER's Dr Sangwoo Lee, along with co-authors Francis Green, Golo Henseke, and Anna Yong, has published a new article in the British Journal of Sociology of Education titled "Diluting Exclusivity? The Prevalence and Distribution of Bursaries and Scholarships for Britain's Private Schools."

The study provides a timely historical and statistical analysis of financial assistance within Britain’s independent school sector. While these grants are frequently claimed by some parliamentarians to mitigate social exclusivity, the research reveals that only 3% of private school income actually goes toward funding them.

New technology in agriculture: IER research features on Edge's latest skills bulletin

Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Research undertaken by IER's Peter Dickinson with colleagues in the ��ӰƬ's School of Life Sciences, and funded by The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), features in a special land-based skills bulletin published by the Edge Foundation.

The bulletin summarises the report's findings into the impact of new technology on jobs and skills in agriculture and horticulture, and what responses are required.

Colonial legacies shaping business ownership

Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

IER's Dr Jamelia Harris and her collaborator, Dr Dexnell Peters of the University of the West Indies, participated in the 6th Biennial Richard Robinson Business History Workshop at the Portland State University.

Dr Harris and Dr Peters presented a paper which traces the organisation of business ownership to the colonial period. The paper argues that legacies embedded in legislation, institutions and culture since 1800 still shape who becomes a business owner, and to some extent, the sectors in which they operate.

The Impact of AI on Green Jobs

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

IER's Peter DickinsonLink opens in a new window gave a presentation at the Career Development Institute (CDI)'s AI in Careers Lightning ConferenceLink opens in a new window on the impact of AI on green jobs.

Drawing on research projects funded by York City Council, Skills Development Scotland and The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, the presentation covered 'what is a green job?' and how many there are, as well as the nature of AI in farming, and its expected impact on jobs and skills.

Launch of the UK Standard Skills Classification

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC) offers the most detailed, data-driven picture yet of the UK labour market. It is an innovative new tool that will make it much easier to match people to job opportunities and target skills investment where it matters most.

Created by the IER and the University of Sheffield, in partnership with Omnifolio on behalf of Skills England, the SSC is a standardised set of categories that identify the skills, knowledge and tasks required across UK occupations. The SSC is available through the UK Skills Explorer Digital tool.

Dr Sangwoo Lee challenges ‘Graduate Premium’ narrative at AERA 2026 and CGHE 2026

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMT

IER’s Dr Sangwoo Lee recently shared insights at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2026 conference in Los Angeles and at the Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE) 2026 conference in Oxford, challenging traditional views on the value of a university degree.

His research, "Beyond Earnings: The Multidimensional Job Quality Premiums for University Graduates in Europe," explores whether higher education truly delivers better working conditions across non-monetary dimensions.

SkillsPULSE International Workshop on Employers’ Skills Needs

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming International Workshop, a dedicated online event bringing together employers, policymakers, and labour market experts from across Europe to explore one of today’s most pressing challenges: the growing skills gap, taking place on 29 April 2026.

Organised by SkillsPULSE , a Horizon Europe project aimed at identifying, predicting, and mapping current and emerging skills shortages and gaps across Europe, this workshop will present the final results of the Employer Survey conducted in Poland, Italy, Greece, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland and Estonia.

Please REGISTER HERE

VET2050 In-person Vision Workshops in May

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

VET2050 is entering a new phase this spring with a series of in-person Vision Workshops beginning in May 2026, bringing together stakeholders to explore what a high quality vocational education and training system in England should look like by 2050. Alongside the workshops, the project invites wider engagement through an online feedback form as part of its commitment to long-term, collaborative thinking beyond short-term reform cycles.

Find out more in the VET2050 Project's April Newsletter.