We carry out research and support partners, such as the Regional Skills Partnership and Advantage West Midlands, in meeting their data and intelligence needs. Our recent research includes:
Published 8th December 2009
Regular briefings on the impact the current economic climate is having on skills and the labour market in the West Midlands.
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Updated 13th October 2009
This book, published in July 2009, features ten chapters by ten different authors, each giving their personal view on how the West Midlands can best place itself in readiness for the economic recovery. Bill Heslegrave has kindly written an eleventh chapter, on green infrastructure and sustainable recovery (PDF, 929kb), which was published 13 October 2009.
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With the launch of the West Midlands Taskforce, Advantage West Midlands has drawn together regional and local partners to produce a monthly update on the region’s economy. The Observatory plays an important role within this group, providing data across key sectors and reporting news of company announcements.
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Published 2nd December 2008
This annual report highlights changes in the West Midlands regional labour market, key policy implications and challenges. The Assessment is accompanied by six sub-regional profiles.
An assessment of key skills and labour market issues for the rural West Midlands is due to be completed in early 2009.
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Published 7th October 2008
The West Midlands is the first English region to produce a regional integrated economic assessment.
This project aims to provide an assessment of the performance of the West Midlands' economy and of the factors which contribute to it. It also assesses the relative position of the different parts of the region.
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Updated 14th October 2008
We explored issues surrounding the utilisation of graduates in the West Midlands labour market. Specifically, we wish to understand issues affecting the attraction, retention and employment of graduates.
In October 2008, we published University Challenge (PDF, 0.5MB), our review of the West Midlands' knowledge economy and the demand for higher level skills.
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