The Challenge

The UK rail sector faces a growing skills crisis – an ageing workforce, rising retirement rates and critical shortages in engineering, signalling and technical roles. For Chesterfield, home to a significant cluster of rail firms, these pressures hit close to home. Learners needing specialist training were travelling outside the area, and local provision wasn’t keeping pace with a rapidly changing sector. The answer was DRIIVe – the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle – a new facility at the iconic Barrow Hill Roundhouse. But first, the gaps needed to be understood.

Our Approach

Chesterfield Borough Council commissioned Kada to undertake a training needs and gap analysis for DRIIVe, focused on skills required to support a green and sustainable rail system. Kada used a mixed-methods approach: a thorough desk review of rail policy and provision, 30+ stakeholder consultations with employers, providers, authorities and sector bodies, and mapping of qualifications to identify critical gaps – particularly at Levels 4 and 5. The funding landscape, including implications of the Growth and Skills Levy, was also assessed to ensure recommendations were practical and deliverable.

What We Found

The research confirmed strong alignment between DRIIVe and both regional rail priorities and national growth sectors including advanced manufacturing and clean energy. It also exposed a fragmented national training landscape with limited progression routes beyond Level 3 – precisely the gap DRIIVe was designed to fill.

The Recommendations

Kada produced an evidence-based roadmap for DRIIVe to become a nationally recognised rail training centre, including:

• Specialist short courses in technical and infrastructure skills
• Leadership programmes to build long-term sector resilience
• Future-focused training in green rail, decarbonisation and AI
• Reskilling pathways for new entrants to the industry

Kada Research partnered with the University of Sunderland to support an expansive review of employment opportunities and support in the North East of England. The report will support those working in the North East to advocate for funding and support opportunities.

The research highlighted five of the key barriers to sustained employment, productivity and growth in the North East (economic inactivity, young people not in employment, education or training, skills mismatches, sector-specific shortages and structural issues). The research compiled examples of best practice, responses to challenges and possible solutions in order to highlight a pathway into good work for residents in the North East.

Due to our track record in skills and employment research, Kada Research were asked to provide case studies to supplement the research being conducted by the University. Kada Research reviewed and analysed previous reports, drawing together fourteen examples of best practice in employment and skills support across the country. They also highlighted cross-cutting elements of successful employment support, emphasising the key issues that should be taken into consideration when designing future support programmes.

The research concluded that a strategically coordinated approach at a hyper local level is vital to engage with communities who are most in need of support and often ‘seldom heard’. It also highlighted the role of employers in inspiring the next generation, especially in high potential and foundational sectors. The importance of inclusivity and flexibility was emphasised, with the research recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach is often inapplicable to some of the complex circumstances faced by those out of work. Finally, the report highlighted the need for continuous monitoring, evaluation and learning, ensuring that employment and skills programmes are accountable and accessible.

In November 2022, a devolution deal was agreed by the four upper tier councils of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council. The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is led by Mayor Claire Ward, elected as the first Mayor of the East Midlands region in May 2024. With two cities, large towns, major industries, technology strengths and energy innovations, the EMCCA area is transitioning from its industrial legacy to industries of the future.

To inform its thinking and investment innovation, EMCCA required a robust evidence base of its innovation strengths and assets. EMCCA commissioned Kada Research to comprehensively scope out the area’s innovation performance, strengths under priority sectors and new technologies reshaping the local economy by driving growth, creating new industries and transforming existing new ones.

An extensive desk review was undertaken, providing an assessment of the EMCCA area’s innovation economy, the regional innovation investment landscape, its performance in higher education innovation measures and its innovation activity and adoption. Following the establishment of EMCCA, the authority identified four key priority sector areas to focus on in their Corporate Plan. These included: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative and digital and life sciences and MedTech. The study focuses on the innovation strengths and niches in these four priority sector areas. In addition to the desk research, thirty-five regional stakeholders were consulted to inform this study. These engagements provided rich intel on EMCCA strengths from academia, further and higher education providers, industry and cluster leaders and representatives.

The advanced manufacturing sector was found to be a valuable asset in the region, with significant capabilities in aerospace, rail and automotive sectors and the power electronics, machines and drives sub-sectors. There is a large-scale opportunity for growth in the clean energy sector in the EMCCA area, with investment in STEP able to propel the region into the next generation of nuclear energy production and drive new opportunities across the supply chain. The creative and digital sector is growing and has initiatives to build on, including gaming strengths, immersive technologies and design. Life sciences in the EMCCA area have strong pedigree that requires more investment in early-stage companies. There is a rich seam of health and drug discovery work.

The study concludes with twenty tailored recommendations to increase innovation and collaboration which are designed to support research and innovation strengths identified within priority sectors and the region’s outstanding assets, companies, institutions and infrastructure.

If you are thinking about commissioning a similar study, or would like to find out more about this study, talk through an idea or work with us, please get in touch at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

The UK Agri-Tech Centre serves as an enabling force within the UK’s agricultural innovation landscape, driving Agri-tech innovation and adoption through world-class facilities, expert knowledge and business support. The Centre aims to make the UK’s arable and horticulture industry more efficient, resilient and sustainable, to underpin business growth and support food security.

Kada were commissioned by the UK Agri-Tech Centre to carry out research with experts and key opinion leaders to look at how innovation and its adoption in the UK’s arable and horticultural sectors will transform production systems over the next 10 years, combining cutting-edge technology with resilient practices.

The Kada team carried out a rapid evidence review to identify emerging trends and future areas of innovation in addition to 18 scoping interviews with sector experts from across the UK’s Agri-Tech industries to capture various views around short- and long-term innovation needs and opportunities. The team also facilitated three workshops to discuss low and high impact needs and opportunities.

The final report identified three areas of focus for future opportunities:

• Climate change: Advancements in biotechnology and specifically gene-editing, presents opportunities to build more climate-resilient crops for the future, alongside sustainable inputs to help conventional crops cope with biotic stresses.
• Automation and digital technologies: Further adoption of autonomous machinery, robotics and drones will be required to drive efficiency gains. Precision farming could be accelerated by integration with better sensor data, connectivity and crucially AI technology. Together these would help future farmers make sense of highly variable and disparate data in real-time, for better decision making leading to more positive outcomes and impact.
• New production methods: Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has the potential to contribute an extra £300 million in fruit and vegetable production, helping strengthen food security and sector resilience to global challenges. Alongside new production systems there are also opportunities for new crops, both within a CEA and wider arable setting.

The report also outlines four innovation pathways setting out a short, medium and long-term vision for the arable, horticulture, viticulture and other diversified activities for the next 10 years;

• Intelligent and data-driven agriculture

1. In the short term: focus on improving deployment and use of advanced Internet of Things sensors, alongside examining AI-powered decision- making tools in precision agriculture.
2. In the medium term: scale robotics and integrate more advanced AI applications across diverse farming systems and landscapes.
3. The long-term vision includes predictive modelling and digital twins to enable automated and adaptable decision making.

• Climate resilience and biotechnology

1. Short term: improve integration of sensor technologies with biological approaches to pest and disease management.
2. Medium term: focus on scaling new novel solutions such as bacteriophages, RNA interference and microbiome engineering approaches.
3. Longer term: develop dynamic plant breeding platforms for resilient traits and durable resistance to pests and diseases.

• Regenerative farming and Agri-tech

1. Short term: accelerate, scale and optimise precision technologies, within existing systems, while examining functional changes in the soil microbiome and carbon sequestration.
2. Medium term: build soil functionality through bio-based solutions and inputs, alongside practices such as polyculture and minimum or no-till systems.
3. Longer term, these approaches can be brought together into a new toolkit that integrates biological systems and technologies to support productivity, resilience and improve ecosystem services.

• New and diversified production systems

1. Short term: enhance year-round productivity and resource use efficiency by applying circular systems in CEA production.
2. Medium term: augment this with tailored high-performance varieties and expand the range of commercially viable crops within CEA.
3. Longer term, this will diversify urban-rural food production systems, including new crops for protein, fibre, pharmaceuticals and other green factory purposes.

You can read the report (titled The future of arable and horticulture innovation) in full on the UK Agri-Tech Centres website here: https://ukagritechcentre.com/news-insights/reports-and-brochures/

If you would like to work with us, talk through an idea or hear about this work you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk

Education and access to high skilled training is a key driver of social mobility. Yet, there must also be the economic opportunities to utilise these skills and unlock higher wages. The low-skilled and low-growth economy of Wakefield provides shareable lessons for many de-industrial cities and demonstrates the importance of place-based understanding and responses.

The Wakefield Futures Commission brought together expertise in education, business leadership, public policy and employment and launched in December 2024. The Commission investigated the current and future economic and educational landscape in relation to higher-level skills, to identify barriers to participation, and to consider how to drive change in Wakefield. The Wakefield Futures Commissions work culminated in an evidence-based report with clear recommendations geared around three propositions: a commitment to change, a vision for innovation, and a coherent framework for change. The report was launched in September 2025 and welcomed by local leaders; it can be found here: Wakefield Futures Report – Wakefield Council

Kada Research supported the Commission including extensive primary and secondary research, evidence sessions, and secretariat support.

The research process included:

• A resident survey with nearly 800 responses
• Focus groups and interviews with young people, learners, and people out of work who live in Wakefield
• Interviews with stakeholders and local employers
• Extensive secondary research including data analysis and desk review

The research found:

• Wakefield’s recent economic growth has been driven by low-skilled industries. Increasing productivity levels in Wakefield to the West Yorkshire average would see an extra £533 million of GVA to the local economy.
• Wakefield’s economic strengths include advanced manufacturing, creative and cultural industries, logistics, and renewable energy, green construction, and the decarbonisation of the wider economy.
• Data analysis showed qualification levels within Wakefield’s adult population were significantly under national and regional averages.
• The resident survey found a strong appetite for learning from Wakefield residents, as well as a strong belief in the importance of education for improving life chances and increasing opportunities.

The final report presented bold solutions to tackle Wakefield’s low skilled, low productivity, and low wage economy. It outlined that to unlock Wakefield’s potential; a coherent and coordinated plan is needed. Changing the economy, employment and skill levels in Wakefield involves growing higher-skill employment and simultaneously building skill levels. The recommendations included the development of the ‘Wakefield Futures Centre’ which will lead innovation in the economy, support the development of skills in future-facing industries and encourage innovative delivery models which allow a wider range of people to access opportunities.

If you would like to work with us, talk through an idea or hear about this work you can contact us at sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk

Kada Research were commissioned by HEY Creative, the Cultural Compact for Hull and East Yorkshire, to conduct scoping research into the current and potential international creative and cultural links within Hull and East Yorkshire. It also aimed to highlight the importance of cross sectoral working and the benefits of creative and cultural activities to the economy, social wellbeing and health.

Kada consulted creative and cultural organisations and wider stakeholders based in the HEY region to learn more about their previous and current international connections, enablers and barriers to international connections and the potential for new international connections to be forged in the future. Inquires looked not only at creative and cultural links, but a cross-sectoral collaborations such as the link between art and mental health care. Following inquires, Kada presented a list of over 50 global connections to the HEY Creative Board who identified four connections for in-depth study. These were Flanders, Rotterdam, Fengtai and the University of the Arctic.

Kada undertook a thorough desk review of each identified region, drawing parallels between the international region and HEY. Research focused on imports and exports, the creative and cultural sector, shared history and heritage, demography and examples of best practice. Through increased focus, engagement and funding, greater creative, civic, academic and commercial connections can be developed between these regions, with culture as a conduit for stronger international relationships.

Kada drafted several recommendations to support HEY Creative to develop international creative and cultural connections. These included nurturing soft power by encouraging and facilitating exchanges between regions, better showcasing the impact of international collaborations, providing tailored support for organisations looking to develop international links and developing an action plan for cultural and cross-sectoral collaboration.

You can find out more about the report here.

If you are thinking about commissioning a research study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Active Humber to create an advocacy piece, highlighting the current and potential benefits of embedding physical activity at the heart of daily life. Active Humber is one of 43 Active Partnerships in England. The organisation aims to support people of all ages and backgrounds to improve their health and wellbeing by moving more each day.

Aligning closely with sub-regional priorities, the research evidenced how movement can support Yorkshire and the Humber to become healthier, happier, and more prosperous.

A desk review of current participation in physical activity in Yorkshire and the Humber was undertaken, supported by wider research highlighting the impacts of sport and physical activity on health, employment and productivity. This included exploring local NHS data, sector employment figures and economic inactivity trends. Where available, comparisons were drawn between Yorkshire and the Humber and national figures, to better understand where the region is currently excelling, and where improvements can be made.

To consolidate the place-based evidence, two workshops were held with experts in the field. Attendees highlighted how they are currently using sport and physical activity to improve their local area and pointed to real-world examples of the positive impact moving more has had on residents in Yorkshire and the Humber. They also highlighted challenges they faced supporting people to become more active and what changes should be implemented to overcome these challenges. Several case studies were selected to exemplify the research findings. Kada also provided estimates for the economic and wellbeing benefits of engagement in sport and physical activity.

Kada’s research concluded that moving more has tangible benefits for Yorkshire and the Humber, including a reduction in disease and age-related decline, improved mental wellbeing and a reduction in air pollution. Moving more also has a positive impact of the economy, providing approximately £414m GVA generated by 13,355 jobs.

If you are thinking about commissioning a research study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk

Kada Research were commissioned by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on behalf of the Yorkshire Growth Hub Cluster to conduct a deep dive into Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector. The commission covered Yorkshire’s four combined authorities: Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNCA).

Kada’s commissioned work provided insights into the sector makeup, sector health, the range, scope and nature of the Yorkshire’s business support network, manufacturing business perspectives, and business support best practice. Additionally, Kada provided a series of recommendations on how Growth Hubs can address challenges, improve the impact of their support, increase collaboration and replicate successful models from other regions.

The research followed a phased design with each stage building on the last. It combined qualitative depth with quantitative breadth to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the region’s manufacturing landscape. Firstly, a literature and policy review was undertaken to establish the contextual foundations of the sector. Next, focus group discussions were held across the four sub-regions to identify business challenges and opportunities. Building on these insights, a survey of 215 manufacturing businesses was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of key issues. To explore these findings further, in-depth interviews were carried out with a further 55 businesses. Finally, 47 interviews with stakeholders including industry bodies, local government, and training providers offered wider perspectives and contextual nuance.

This very well received commission showed that Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector has shown clear resilience with the number of firms across the region returning to pre-2018 levels in 2024. This was largely driven by growth in West Yorkshire and stability in HEY and York and North Yorkshire. Economic output has also grown by an impressive 10% across all sub-regions. The region retains key strengths and specialisms in sectors such as food and drink, chemicals, rubber and plastics, positioning Yorkshire competitively at a national level. Key challenges facing the sector include skills shortages, access to finance, and fragmented business support. Identified opportunities for advanced manufacturing included defence procurement, sustainability solutions, and driving productivity improvements through digitalisation. Stakeholders called for clearer support pathways, improved infrastructure, and a stronger pipeline of skilled talent to sustain long-term growth.

The research identified five key areas where MCA/Growth Hubs can best support the manufacturing sector in Yorkshire. These are: skills and workforce; capital investment and finance; business support; supply chain resilience; net zero and sustainability.

If you are thinking about commissioning a sector deep dive study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Barnsley College to undertake a desk review of the potential uses of mobile learning technology to facilitate onsite training for employers.

Having received LSIF funding to address local employer skills need, Barnsley College commissioned a review to explore how mobile learning technology delivered on employer premises (i.e., VR headsets, e-learning, skills hubs) could be used to upskill South Yorkshire. By drawing on good practice and considering the benefits and challenges of delivering training via mobile learning technology, Barnsley College allocated a portion of LSIF funding towards purchasing mobile learning technology.

Kada conducted an extensive literature review of the benefits and challenges associated with mobile learning technology and the importance of training. It embedded these findings within the context of South Yorkshire, considering the characteristics of the local labour market and the skills needs of the local area. Kada also consulted local training providers in care, construction and manufacturing to establish how mobile learning is, or could be, used in their sector. The findings from these interviews and the desk review enabled the development of a set of recommendations as to how mobile learning technology could be used to support onsite training by Barnsley College.

The study found that flexibility, rapid feedback, work experience opportunities and a reduction of safety concerns are key advantages of mobile learning technology and can make it easier to businesses to access training and connect their training with others. Mobile learning can facilitate the delivery of LSIF and LSIP priorities in larger businesses and SMEs and micros. Inclusivity, responsibility and procurement are key areas for consideration in adapting mobile learning technology as a resource for training in the workplace.

If you are thinking about commissioning a workplace training study or evaluation or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadareasearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) and the Pathways to Work Commission to carry out in-depth qualitative research with Barnsley residents. The research explored the lived experiences of people who wanted to be in paid work but could not be due to their health and/or caring responsibilities.

The Pathways to Work Commission was created by BMBC and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to investigate how better pathways to work could be created for those who are ‘economically inactive’. An individual is defined as ‘economically inactive’ if they are of working age (16 – 64), not in employment, and not looking for a job. The Pathways to Work Commission report, launched in July 2024 (available here), was based upon multiple pieces of research including the in-depth qualitative research led by Kada. The report highlights the need for more devolved, local solutions to support people who want to enter paid employment but cannot be due to their health and/or caring responsibilities. It also recognises the need to better integrate health services and employment support, a sentiment echoed by the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall at the launch:

Kada’s research was carried out with residents over two phases. The first phase involved research conversations with 37 Barnsley residents who shared their experiences of work, the barriers that prevent them from working, the challenges of being economically inactive, and their aspirations and motivations for the future. The conversations provided rich insights into the realities for Barnsley residents who either want to be in paid work but are unable to or have previous experience of being in this position.

In phase two, four focus groups were held to, firstly, explore further people’s experiences of employment support and, secondly, test which practical solutions are most needed to help Barnsley residents re-enter work. Attended by 18 Barnsley residents, the focus groups brought together people facing similar barriers or living in the same communities. They included individuals from various backgrounds: parents; people with health conditions; people caring for family members with physical or mental health issues; and people accessing support via a community organisation. If you would like to read more about the Kada research with Barnsley resident’s you can find them here.

Our research with residents found experiences of ‘economic inactivity’ are often complex with barriers to entering paid employment evolving over time. The term ‘economic inactivity’ simplifies the diversity of experiences and people, as well as the blurred lines between health, care, and other barriers. The severity of the impacts of experiencing ‘economic inactivity’ is connected to the resources, personal situation, and support networks of the individual. Timely interventions and support can prevent the escalation and multiplication of barriers (described by some as the “spiral”). We found there is a wealth of support available across Barnsley, the majority of which has been experienced positively by those who have engaged with it, particularly the forms of support delivered in communities or tailored to specific needs. However, the support needs to be more visible, easier to engage with, and more joined up. There is a need for personalised support tailored to specific needs, experiences, and circumstances. Crucially, long-term support is needed to give people the best chance to make sustained changes to their economic circumstances.

Barnsley Council thanked us for the research, adding: “There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and understanding the variety of barriers with a far more personalised approach is key to tackling the problem”

If you are thinking about commissioning research exploring work and health or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk.