The Observatory's Skills Team carries out research on a wide range of skills, employment and labour market issues which, as highlighted in the West Midlands Economic Strategy, are key to driving up productivity and tackling social and economic exclusion.
Our work supports the Regional Skills Partnership, which was established to lead the skills agenda in the West Midlands. The Regional Skills Partnership defines the major skills challenges in the West Midlands and informs planning and funding decisions, targeting effort where it will have the greatest impact. Our work is overseen and supported by the Partnership's Data Group.
Our work programme
Our work has three key strands:
Reviewing the changing needs of the labour market, which involves the interrogation of published and other secondary sources of intelligence, together with findings from gap filling research commissioned by the Data Group and partners. Key products include:
Evaluating the impact of the Regional Skills Partnership, via a framework of regional skills performance indicators and a summary skills index. We update the indicator set each year and produce an annual review of performance. We're also involved in on-going dialogue with key partners to expand and improve the framework.
Addressing gaps in the regional skills evidence base identified as a priority by partners. Recent projects include research on:
Meet the Skills Team
Andy Phillips
Head of Skills Research
Email andy.phillips@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3251
Andy leads the Skills Team. He has 20 years' experience in economic, labour market and skills research and policy, mostly in a West Midlands context. He has previously worked for a range of local authorities, a regional investment agency, a private sector consultant, a Training and Enterprise Council, the Learning and Skills Council and a Sector Skills Council.
Rajdeep Kaur
Research Analyst
Email rajdeep.kaur@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3248
Rajdeep contributes to the data and intelligence work of the Regional Skills Partnership as part of the Observatory's Skills team. Her role involves analysing and interpreting data, and the indentification of skills-related research for the West Midlands. Prior to joining the Observatory Rajdeep worked for Birmingham City Council's Education and Social Care & Health Departments. Rajdeep has a BA (Hons) in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Warwick.
Clare Rapkins
Research Analyst
Email clare.rapkins@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3282
Clare contributes commentary and analysis of data resources, and identifies skills-related research on the West Midlands. Prior to joining the Observatory, Clare worked at the National Audit Office and the Department of Health as a statistician. Clare has a degree in Business Decision Analysis from the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Philip Morton
Research Assistant
Email philip.morton@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3254
Phil is the Research Assistant in the Skills Team, with responsibilities including sourcing data for datasets, data presentation using tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and commentary.
Prior to moving to Birmingham, Phil worked for DEFRA in their Building & Estates Division, looking after the Department’s accommodation and utilities payments. Phil has a BA (Hons) in Medieval Studies from the University of Birmingham, and is currently working towards a qualification in Theology at the Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham, as part of his role as an Ordinand of the Church of England.