Kada Research and GC Insights were commissioned by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to shape it’s evidence-led, co-designed Employment and Skills Strategy for the next five years. The Strategy highlights the gaps and opportunities for Rotherham, providing a clear implementation plan to reduce inactivity, raise skills and build a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Rotherham has faced challenges in relation to its employment and skills landscape in recent years. Rising inactivity due to long-term illness, a higher proportion of residents with no qualifications than the national average and increasing numbers of young people who are NEET were identified as key challenges to be addressed through the Strategy.

To develop the Strategy, Kada and GC Insights undertook a comprehensive evaluation combining an in-depth desk review of labour market data, policy frameworks and benchmarking against comparator areas alongside extensive stakeholder engagement. This included consultations and workshops with council officers, employers, education and skills providers, health partners and voluntary and community sector organisations. With an emphasis on co-design, emerging findings, priorities and actions were frequently tested with stakeholders to ensure that Strategy was practical, inclusive and reflected Rotherham.

The strategy identifies three core missions:

1. Enable more residents to progress towards and into good work
   Supporting people to participate in the labour market, overcome barriers to employment and access fair, rewarding jobs with opportunities to progress.
2. Invest in residents’ knowledge and skills
   Ensuring residents can access lifelong learning and develop the skills, qualifications and competencies needed to enter, sustain and progress in work.
3. Secure a resilient, diverse and skilled workforce
   Helping employers attract, develop and retain the talent they need to grow, while building a workforce that can adapt to economic change and future opportunities.

To achieve these, Rotherham can build on its established partnerships and foundations and existing skills and employment support programmes, whilst harnessing the opportunities of Local Trailblazer activity and Connect to Work funding. It was found that residents facing health-related barriers to work, young people, and those with SEND require additional, tailored support. There are opportunities to align growth and better define transmission pathways with growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) commissioned Kada research to develop a robust skills and employment evidence base to help inform their Skills Strategy which has recently been published (https://southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/skills-strategy). Skills and education are an essential tool to achieve inclusive economies and the evidence base highlights the importance of securing a strong start in early years as well as the importance of lifelong learning.

Kada’s report provided a detailed picture of South Yorkshire’s skills, education, and employment performance. Themes for the evidence base were identified through extensive engagement with stakeholders, learners, young people, and jobseekers. The consultations reached over 100 stakeholders across South Yorkshire mainly through seven in-person workshops. Smaller sessions were held with learners, young people, and jobseekers to gain an understanding of the challenges they faced regarding skills and employment and their support needs.

The qualitative evidence gathered was used to inform the second stage of the research – the comprehensive desk review and quantitative data analysis. A range of official data sources predominately from the Office for National Statistics and various Government Departments were used to analyse South Yorkshire’s performance. Data and sources beyond traditional economic and skills analysis such as for health data was also used due to the breadth of themes included.

The evidence base demonstrates that whilst there are significant challenges for South Yorkshire there are also many opportunities for the people and places of the sub-region. The evidence base extends beyond the traditional and presents a more holistic picture of skills and employment which reflects the diverse nature of the skills system as well as the nuance of South Yorkshire’s geography and history.

Building on the baseline the South Yorkshire Skills Strategy outlines seven flagship programmes which aim to move those outside the labour market into work or help them to be ready for work. It also aims to raise attainment of core knowledge and skills, as well as increasing the supply of a high-skilled workforce.

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

Kada Research were commissioned by the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (HEY LEP) TEC Partnership and the Local Digital Skills Partnership (LDSP) to develop a Digital Framework – Industry 4.0 for HEY to set out a clear vision for growing the local digital and tech ecosystem guided by environmental sustainability principles and supported by the Department for Education Strategic Development Fund 2 (SDF2).

The objectives of the study were two-fold: i) to provide a succinct overview of HEY’s digital ecosystem identifying the strengths, opportunities and barriers to development, aligned with Industry 4.0 applications (e.g. digital connectivity, public service provision and industrial transformation), and ii) to develop a blueprint for digital development in HEY with an ambitious yet achievable vision, building on areas of excellence and addressing any gaps identified. The inclusion of environmental sustainability as a cross-cutting theme was key given the priorities for decarbonising HEY’s main industries and supporting the development of a fast-growing renewables sector across the Humber.

The research underpinning the Framework involved a detailed desk review to explore the current position relating to connectivity, the economic and labour market context, and digital/tech and green skills supply and demand. A series of interactive in-person workshops were facilitated at different locations in HEY bringing together education and training providers, civic body representatives, digital and tech businesses and young people to co-design the Framework themes and vision. Quantitative and qualitative data gathered from the desk review and primary research were analysed systematically to confirm a set of 5 themes with outcomes and enablers to support the achievement of a vision that reflected HEY’s aspirations and strengths.

The themes identified highlight HEY’s digital ecosystem priorities including achieving optimum levels of connectivity across the HEY area, ensuring equitable access to local services and digital inclusion. Seizing the opportunities for leading sustainable innovation to facilitate industrial decarbonisation and growth within HEY’s renewable power sector and further strengthening HEY’s digital and green skills pipeline also represent important pillars of the Framework. The Framework has been published on the HEY LEP website and is being used to inform decisions and plans for HEY’s digital skills provision.

If you are thinking about commissioning a digital skills framework or research into skills for priority and growth sectors, or if you would like to talk through an idea you can contact Laura Lane at laura@kadaresearch.co.uk

Kada research were commissioned by Sheffield City Council to develop a Skills, Training and Business Support Plan to help drive the South Yorkshire Innovation District (SYID) ambition for innovation-led inclusive growth to transform the South Yorkshire economy. The SYID is part of a Global Network of Innovation Districts boasting world class assets and businesses.

The Plan highlights existing strengths to build on in South Yorkshire alongside new priorities for boosting the skills pipeline for the innovation district and securing high quality business support and investment. These priorities are designed to underpin a competitive, productive innovation ecosystem for sustainable growth of the sub-region’s advanced manufacturing and advanced health and wellbeing sectors.

The plan includes a series of practical solution-focused interventions aimed at helping South Yorkshire to unlock its potential for job creation and prosperity by employing its existing innovation capabilities to address local and global challenges. The interventions are shaped around three core pillars of the Plan: fuelling future talent, turning great ideas into business growth, and realising innovation, all of which are essential to the future success of South Yorkshire’s innovation ecosystem.

Our research focussed on clusters within advanced manufacturing and health and well-being in South Yorkshire, including medtech and life sciences. The study involved consultations with over 70 stakeholders and drew on good practice locally, within the UK and internationally. Through workshops and group discussion interventions were co-designed to identify opportunities for scaling up existing activities and developing new initiatives to stimulate inclusive sustainable innovation for people, places and businesses across the sub-region. The study culminated in an implementation plan and three-year roadmap.

The research highlighted a need for bespoke support designed to meet the specific needs of the advanced manufacturing and health and wellbeing sectors. Aligned with South Yorkshire’s existing and emerging skills, business support and innovation strategies, including the Local Skills Improvement Plan and UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan, the co-designed activities sought to add value to more generic skills, innovation and business growth programmes.

The Plan was instrumental to a bid that led to South Yorkshire being named the first of 12 UK Investment Zones. The IZ is expected to generate 8,000 jobs across the sub-region and an estimated £1.2bn of funding, including £80m of Government investment.

If you are thinking about commissioning a study for an innovation district or research to support investment zone developments, you can contact our Director Cassie Houlden at Cassie@kadaresearch.co.uk

South Yorkshire was selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to be one of eight Trailblazers to determine how best to roll-out Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across the country.

Led by Doncaster Chamber, in partnership with Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham Chambers, the LSIP places businesses at the centre of the skills agenda to create a skills system which is agile and responsive to employer needs.

Kada was commissioned as research partners by Doncaster Chamber to support the development of the LSIP; a project undertaken in partnership with researchers from the Centre of Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, and Further Education Skills Consultants Eunoia.

The research included quantitative analysis themed by the context, labour market, economic projections, education, and skills, an employer survey, a series of consultation events, stakeholder interviews and sector specific engagement with seven key SY industries. Kada created dedicated a microsite (see here) with resources, reports and updates about the project.

The Kada team worked closely with the Chambers throughout the project and co-designed the research activities and tools. This iterative and flexible approach saw the focus of the LSIP develop its initial priorities to a more holistic vision of skills within the South Yorkshire
economy.

The robust evidence base highlighted the skills gaps in South Yorkshire including employability or soft skills (including communication, adaptability and resilience, collaboration, critical thinking, entrepreneurial skills, active listening, and problem solving), digital skills (technical and non-technical), and a range of technical skills (including construction, green skills, engineering, and technology).

The LSIP concluded with a series of bold evidence-based recommendations organised by five themes: navigation, proactive employer engagement, responsive provision, celebrating success, and promoting better pathways.

The South Yorkshire LSIP was submitted to the DfE at the end of March 2022 after a period of refinement. It has now been approved and the DfE is now rolling LSIPs out across the country. The learning and success of the trail blazer LSIP means South Yorkshire is well placed to now deliver the full LSIP.

If you would like to discuss a project with the team, contact us via karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk or sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk.

There has always been a desire from local authorities to maximise the benefits of new development.  Many councils now have a social value requirement and follow CITB guidance on maximising training and employment benefits.  Stockport Council has a procurement, regeneration and social value statement to ensure any investment in goods and services generates added social, environmental and economic value for residents. This places a requirement on potential contractors to think about how the goods or services they are offering to supply will also ensure added benefit to the local community.

LSH Auto UK, part of the world’s largest Mercedes-Benz dealership (LSH International), was developing the UK’s first Mercedes-Benz Autohaus – a dedicated retail space that forms part of the brand-new Mercedes-Benz – in Stockport.  LSH Auto Properties (UK) Ltd was keen to respond proactively to the Council’s social value requirements and planning conditions and ensure local unemployed people benefited from work and training opportunities.

Kada Research was commissioned to draft a Training and Employment Plan (TEMP).  TEMPs are now a routine company offer for Kada.  They set out training requirements, potential areas of employment and the role of appointed subcontractors implicated in the new development. We spoke to HR managers from contractors and sub-contractors, to identify the potential jobs during both construction and operation of the completed facility where new posts, from car sales and customer service to business management were provided. Our plan, drafted in partnership with the council’s skills officers, showed that the development would exceed many of their indicative job targets.

The new dealership for LSH in Stockport was a landmark project for all involved and the support provided by Kada Research in achieving successful planning consent was invaluable. Karl Dalgleish and his team really know their stuff and the report produced was of the highest quality. LSH, their key stakeholders and the local community are delighted with their new facility and the boost it has given to the local economy.

John Setra (Managing Director, K2 Consultancy).

Need to respond to social value requirements for a new development? Want to hear more about how you can maximise local training, employment, and wider social benefits? Contact karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk for a free no-obligation consultation.

Kada was subcontracted to ekosgen to work with Derbyshire Partners to develop a framework for joint working and the prioritisation of delivery across the County. The strategy also recognises Government growth policy and the Local Enterprises Partnerships (LEPs) and sets out both Derbyshire’s economic offer and needs for any future national and EU investment. The DESS was prepared following a comprehensive consultation process with Derbyshire Partners and review of local economic strategies and plans. This process culminated in two workshops with Cabinet Members and Local Authority officers in March 2014 to review and refine DESS objectives and priority actions.

“As the birthplace of the industrial revolution and with a strong tradition of manufacturing excellence, Derbyshire is well placed to capitalise on the new technological revolution which will drive economies of the future.”

~ DESS, 2014

A European Strategic Investment Framework and Strategic Economic Plan for D2N2 LEP in association with ekosgen who acted as lead contractor. The ESIF sets out D2N2’s ambitions for the 2014-2020 European Programme and how the LEP proposes to use its £214m notional allocation of EU funds to achieve these ambitions. The Growth Plan sets out to support the creation of 55,000 additional private sector jobs in D2N2 by 2023, through a range of measures to increase business competitiveness and raise employment levels. D2N2 secured a £554m local growth investment package.

“This D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan is distinctive, supporting not only iconic D2N2 businesses, like Rolls Royce, Alliance Boots, Toyota, Speedo, British Sugar, Thorntons, Capital One and Bombardier, to compete but also the area SMEs and start-ups to grow faster, access finance, innovate and export.”

~ D2N2 SEP, 2014-2020

Here as sub-contractors to ekosgen we worked closely with the LEP team and partners to craft a narrative for the area around the Energy Estuary underpinned by evidence and agreed by stakeholders. Kada was also commissioned with ekosgen to prepare the LEP’s strategic economic plan. These studies involved major business and stakeholder consultation events on the north and south bank and negotiations with senior politicians and officers. The Humber managed to secure a £366m growth deal package.

“We believe that we are on the brink of an extremely exciting and transformational period of economic activity in the Humber, driven by major investment in and around our estuary.”

~ Humber ESIF, 2014-2020