UK skills sector research into international scale commences.

Skills sector encouraged to contribute.

The UK Skills Partnership (UKSP), supported by the British Council has commissioned a study to develop a robust estimate of how much skills sector exports contribute to the UK economy. Partners, The Research Base will produce a report on the scale and scope of skills exports which will be made publicly available in March 2022.

The UKSP encourages responses from all types of skills providers who export skills, training, skills consultancy, regulated or non-regulated qualifications (included the products and services provided in the UK to international organisations and students). Even if you don’t export yourself, please do still fill in the survey; it will be very short but your contribution will help to make our final calculations representative of the sector as a whole (we need to assess what proportion of organisations export in order to do this).

Jonathan Ledger, Global TVET Specialist, Department for International Trade commented “the UK skills sector has been operating overseas in a range of diverse markets for a long number of years. And yet, the true value, volume, scale and scope of the sector is not as clear as it should be. We would like to see that change. From a policy and operational perspective, being able to have evidence-based articulation of the value of the skills sector operating overseas is crucial and will certainly be of benefit to the entire sector.“

Responses are encouraged from UK registered:

• Further Education Colleges
• Independent Training Providers
• Sector Skills Councils
• National Skills Academies
• Chartered Bodies and institutes
• Awarding Organisations
• Skills technology or classroom suppliers
• Skills consultants, employer or self employed
• plus any other public sector or private organisations or company delivering skills products or services of any kind in an international setting.

The research is interested in both regulated and non-regulated qualifications and training, short or long courses, covering all industrial sectors and at any level. Whether your organisation has just one consultant or a large global team, operating in just one country or many, your input would be appreciated.

This is a brilliant opportunity for all skills organisations and suppliers from right across the UK to demonstrate their considerable contribution to the export value they generate for the UK. This research also supports the UK Skills Partnership’s aim to shine a positive light on the skills sector and in doing so, support the UK Government’s ambition to improve education data as set out in the International Education Strategy 2021.

Commented Lesley Davies, UKSP Chair.

The Research Base, an independent research consultancy, is conducting the research. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. 

Skills, for the purposes of this study, can be considered as part of lifelong learning and can take place at secondary, post-secondary and tertiary levels. It includes work-based learning, continuing training and professional development which may or may not lead to qualifications. It also includes a wide range of skills development opportunities attuned to national and local priorities and contexts.

Remember: Even if you don’t export yourself, please do still fill in the survey; it will be very short but your contribution will help to make our final calculations representative of the sector as a whole (we need to assess what proportion of organisations export in order to do this).