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The Declining Volume of Workers’ Training in Britain

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Listed:
  • Francis Green
  • Alan Felstead
  • Duncan Gallie
  • Hande Inanc
  • Nick Jewson

Abstract

The conventional focus on the training participation rate, rather than training volume, in official statistics and research has obscured a radical transformation in workers’ training in Britain. To obtain a picture of the trend in training volume, we synthesize a narrative through a new analysis of multiple surveys. The duration of training fell sharply with the result that the training volume per worker declined by about a half between 1997 and 2012. This fall is hard to reconcile with optimistic rhetoric surrounding the knowledge economy. Potential explanations are discussed. We conclude with recommendations to improve the collection of training statistics.

Suggested Citation

  • Francis Green & Alan Felstead & Duncan Gallie & Hande Inanc & Nick Jewson, 2016. "The Declining Volume of Workers’ Training in Britain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 422-448, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:54:y:2016:i:2:p:422-448
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiaqi Li & Anna Valero & Guglielmo Ventura, 2020. "Trends in job-related training and policies for building future skills into the recovery," CVER Research Papers 033, Centre for Vocational Education Research.
    2. Daria Luchinskaya & Peter Dickinson, 2019. "‘Virtuous’ and ‘Vicious’ Circles? Adults’ Participation in Different Types of Training in the UK and Its Association with Wages," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(3), pages 177-201.
    3. Giulio Pedrini, 2020. "Off‐the‐job training and the shifting role of part‐time and temporary employment across institutional models. Comparing Italian and British firms," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(5), pages 427-453, September.
    4. Luca Cattani & Giovanni Guidetti & Giulio Pedrini, 2021. "Work Flexibility and Workplace Training in Italy Before and After the Jobs Act Reform," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 12(1).
    5. Chris F. Wright & Colm McLaughlin, 2024. "Short‐term fix or remedy for market failure? Immigration policy as a distinct source of skills," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 3-19, January.
    6. Wotschack, Philip, 2020. "Drivers of training participation in low skilled jobs: the role of ‘voice’, technology, innovation and labor shortages in German companies," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 24(3), pages 245-264.
    7. Francis Green & Alan Felstead & Duncan Gallie & Golo Henseke, 2022. "Working Still Harder," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 75(2), pages 458-487, March.
    8. Caroline Lloyd & Jonathan Payne, 2023. "Digital skills in context: Working with robots in lower-skilled jobs," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(4), pages 1084-1104, November.

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