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Ongoing & Commissioned Work
Improve is dedicated to bringing you up to the minute research specifically commissioned to meet your needs. We are currently working on research detailed below.
For further information on any of the projects, or to suggest any other research pieces you would like commissioning for the food and drink manufacturing sector, please contact the research team at Improve on research@improveltd.co.uk CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS Migrant Workers in the UK Food & Drink Manufacturing Industry
Migrant workers are an important section of the workforce and highly valued by industry employers across the UK.
Reliable, up-to-date and detailed information on the employment of migrant workers is required in order to inform the food and drink industry and enable employers to maximise the opportunities this group of workers can continue to bring the the sector. We will be conducting research to identify the current and likely future use of migrant workers, the impact of their use and the issues faced by employers when employing migrant workers.
The research is anticipated to begin in late-April and be completed in July 2008. For further information on the project, please contact research@improveltd.co.uk
The Business Benefits of Training in the UK Food & Drink Manufacturing Industry
Improve are carrying out new research to explore the Business Benefits of Training in the Food & Drink Manufacturing Industry.
The research aims to demonstrate and enhance employer's understanding of the value of skills and the benefits of training for business.
The project will include a UK-wide phone survey of employers and a series of follow-up in-depth interviews with employers to research the detail for case studies. The research is due for completion in May 08 and findings will be available during this month.
For further information on the project, please contact research@improveltd.co.uk
English Regional Skills Needs Research
Improve has undertaken new research examining skills needs in the English regions following the successful application for European Social Funds (ESF). The research augments the findings of the UK wide skills needs assessment already produced as part of the Sector Skills Agreement.
Findings are now available in the research reports sub-section and Improve will be producing regional reports in the coming months. Sector Skills Agreement (SSA)
Stages 1 to 5 of the SSA are now complete (delivered March 2007). For more details please visit the dedicated sub-page which can be accessed to the left.
The Future of Food Science & Technology
Improve, in collaboration with Defra, the Institute for Food Science and Technology and The Science Council, are undertaking a wide reaching project exploring the future of food science and technology. We have just completed 3 phases of research (as outlined below) which have examined the shortfall in food scientists and technologists in the UK, in Yorkshire & Humber, and in Wales. The research can be downloaded for free in the Research Reports sub-section.
(1) A new WAG funded research project exploring the requirements for food scientists and technologists in Wales has just been completed. This research complements the UK-wide survey of employers already conducted, by providing the perspective of Welsh food scientists and technologist employees as well as employers. Findings are available to download in the research reports sub-section.
(2) Improve have built on the broader UK picture by conducting a mapping study in the Yorkshire and Humber region. This project has examined the demand for food scientists and technologists (now and in the future) and the supply of learning and qualifications available (now and in the future) in order to understand where the gaps are. The findings are available to download in the research reports sub-section.
The collaboration is now moving on to develop a plan of action to tackle the widening gap between supply and demand, as identified in the research.
For further information on any of the above projects please contact the research team at Improve - research@improveltd.co.uk
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