Rural learning demand and provision
East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
CFE and NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) were commissioned to undertake research to investigate the true nature of rural demand for workforce skills provision across the East of England and develop proposals to address current challenges.
The research focused on three study areas; Maldon (in Essex), Fenland (in Cambridgeshire) and Breckland (in Norfolk), chosen to represent the regions different rural areas.
The research carried out included:
Desk based research
A review of current literature was undertaken along with an analysis of statistical data on the economic, social and educational characteristics of the three study areas to illuminate the issues faced.
Qualitative research
A mixture of focus groups, one to one telephone and face to face interviews were carried out with employers from a range of sectors, training providers, employed non-learners including migrant workers, and unemployed non-learners.
Stakeholder consultation events
Three consultation events were held, one in each of the areas, bringing together over 50 public sector representatives, employers and training providers to discuss potential recommendations and pilot projects for EEDA to consider taking forward.
Recommendations drawn from the research were based around:
- Increasing and improving skills information and advice services for individuals and employers
- Improving access to learning provision
- Increasing the number of specialist tutors in the area
- Increased flexibility in the system regarding benefit rules and funding
Recommendations from the research have been developed into a number of pilot projects for EEDA to consider in future planning. The pilot projects include; providing IAG provision through libraries, learning champions, small rural employer partnerships, supported travel, improved distance learning, and provider and employer clusters.