CFE was commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to undertake an analytical review of current arrangements for collection, analysis and access of labour market intelligence for the English FE workforce.

The review:

• identifed the range of existing and potential data sources, assessing each one’s coverage
• identifed options for simplifying or streamlining existing data collection mechanisms without adversely affecting data quality or coverage
• identified options for light-touch collection of potential new evidence sources, which would generate robust data on which to base workforce assessments
• assessed options for meeting future data needs in terms of cost and compliance implications

CFE's approach included:

• Desk research to identify best practice in collecting workforce intelligence and current sources of management information the FE workforce
• Depth interviews with key stakeholders and FE providers

This review will inform BIS’s future methods of workforce data collection and support their ongoing work to streamline the skills system.