Learning and Work Institute, supported by Serco, is commencing a groundbreaking project aimed at transforming employment support in Wales. The initiative Designing a Work, Health, and Skills Plan for Wales is poised to address the persistent employment gaps among various demographic groups, including disabled individuals, women, and ethnic minorities, helping to cultivate a more equitable and prosperous Welsh economy.

Overview of the Project

This initiative builds on the initial research conducted by Learning and Work Institute Which way now for employment support in Wales?, which was published in February 2024. The project aims to delve deeper into the labour market dynamics in Wales, assess existing employment support provision, and draw insights from international best practice. By focusing on disadvantaged groups and their employment gaps, the plan seeks to identify and address the barriers to employment, with the ultimate goal of shaping a future Welsh employment strategy centred around work, health, and skills.

Get Britain Working White Paper

This project arrives at a pivotal moment, aligning with the UK Government’s commitment to devolve employment support outside of Jobcentre Plus to the Welsh Government. This shift is part of a broader strategy outlined in the recently released Get Britain Working White Paper, which aims to streamline and enhance employment support mechanisms across the UK.

The devolution of employment support is set to empower the Welsh Government with greater control and resources, enabling a more tailored approach to addressing local employment challenges. This dynamic change is expected to foster a collaborative environment where local insights and devolved policy converge to create impactful employment policies.

Key Areas of Focus

The project will undertake a series of deep dives into the employment challenges faced by specific groups noting the following issues:

• Disability and Employment: With an employment rate of 48.9% for disabled people in Wales compared to 82.2% for non-disabled individuals, the project will explore ways to bridge this significant gap.
• Economic Inactivity Due to Ill-Health: The rising economic inactivity rates due to long-term sickness, which stand at 32.3% for females and 36.3% for males, will be a critical area of investigation.
• Minority Ethnic Groups: The employment rate for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people aged 16 to 64 in Wales is 67.7%, compared to 73.6% for White people. The project will seek to understand and address the factors contributing to these disparities.
• Gender Disparities: Economic inactivity among women is particularly high at 31.8%, with caring responsibilities being a significant contributor. The project will examine how policy can better support women in returning to the labour market.

These analyses will be conducted in collaboration with organisations representing each demographic, ensuring that the research is informed by those with lived experiences. The findings will culminate in a comprehensive report that will provide actionable recommendations for policy development.

Methodology and Research Questions

The project will employ a multi-faceted methodology, including stakeholder engagement, desk reviews, data analysis, and lived experience groups. By bringing together a diverse network of stakeholders, the project aims to create a robust evidence base to inform policy recommendations.

Research Questions:

• How does Wales’ employment landscape compare to UK and international benchmarks?
• What are the employment outcomes for disabled individuals and how have they been affected by socio-economic factors?
• How significant is ill-health as a contributor to economic inactivity, and what interventions can address this?
• How have women’s labour market participation rates changed in recent years?
• How inclusive is the Welsh labour market for minority ethnic groups?
• What policy responses can Wales adopt from UK and international practices to enhance labour market inclusivity?

Future Steps and Implementation

We aim to launch the final report at a high-profile event at the Senedd, featuring policymakers and stakeholders who have contributed to the initiative. This event will serve as a platform to advocate for the proposed changes and galvanise support for a more inclusive labour market in Wales.

By addressing the unique challenges faced by disadvantaged groups and leveraging both local and international insights, this initiative holds the promise of transforming employment support in Wales