Skills are key in delivering economic performance of an organisation as well as social mobility. In the UK, there is a focus on the supply of skills rather than the skills that employers need.
Explore our resources for further information about skills strategies, ‘T’ levels and graduates in the workplace.
Factsheets
Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic
1 Factsheets about Skills development
Factsheets
Skills development in the UK workplace
Understand what we mean by skills in the workplace, UK skill levels and the government’s skills policy.
Guides
Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.
1 Guides about Skills development
Guides
Skills matching: Deploying people’s skills effectively in the workplace
When a person’s skills are well matched to their role, there are benefits for the individual and the organisation
For Members
Reports
Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations
7 Reports about Skills development
Reports
Migrant workers and skills shortages in the UK
This report looks at the role of immigration in the context of the post-Brexit skills challenges
Reports
Learning and skills at work
Our survey report and case studies, produced in partnership with Accenture, examine current practices and trends in learning and development (L&D)
Reports
Attitudes to employability and talent
Explore individuals’ and employers' attitudes towards employability and responsibilities for career development in the UK
Reports
Employee Outlook: skills and careers
A third of employees are disappointed with their career progression. Discover the underlying causes of this dissatisfaction
Reports
The role of employers in unlocking workplace skills
Examines what the concept of employer ownership of skills means and the implications of a shift towards greater employer ownership
Reports
Over-qualification in the graduate labour market
Examines the evidence of graduate over-qualification in the UK and Europe, questioning the size of the higher education sector in relation to labour market needs
Reports
The business case for investing in young people
How to successfully recruit young people, the kind of employer support required and the benefits of doing so
Thought leadership
Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work
9 Thought leadership about Skills development
Thought leadership
COVID-19 has reduced investment in skills and learning but also prompted organisations to be more future focused
Lizzie Crowley examines the results from CIPD’s Learning and Skills at Work Survey 2021, and discusses how the world of work will change after the pandemic
Thought leadership
Protecting young people from unemployment
Lizzie Crowley focuses on how the current pandemic will affect youth employment
Thought leadership
Upskilling and reskilling now to prepare for the post-pandemic economy
Lizzie Crowley discusses the importance of training and development of employees during the pandemic, and what the Government can be doing to support organisations through online courses
Thought leadership
Tackling the future ‘human’ skills deficit together
As technology drives a revolution in the workplace - transforming the way we work and the job opportunities available - Lizzie Crowley argues that it is human skills and capabilities that will always be important to how people work
Thought leadership
'Human' skills to be included in new 'essential skills framework'
Amie Evans argues that the skills we will need for the future are human
Thought leadership
Breaking down the barriers
Katherine Garrett discusses the important role employers have to play in helping young people reach their potential, even before they leave school
Thought leadership
AI can be used to free up staff to focus on the softer skills that machines can’t replicate
You could say we’ve entered a golden age of computers, where the sheer volume of data and vastly improved computing power have created the perfect conditions for developing artificial intelligence
Thought leadership
Wanted: Creativity and empathy hubs
Preparing students adequately for a world of work where the landscape will be all but unrecognisable by the time they get there is a massive undertaking
Thought leadership
Valuing your talent: Thought pieces
Discover expert opinion of how HR analytics and the reporting of human capital is changing the world of work
Podcasts
Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.
2 Podcasts about Skills development
Podcasts
Leading from the heart: making an impact through soft skills
Episode 166: Nurturing and developing soft skills are essential for business, but how can a greater emphasis on utilising and measuring ‘softer’ skills can benefit your organisation?
Podcasts
Critical thinking
Episode 154: How to think well and reflect objectively on the ideas, opinions and arguments of others.
Bitesize research
Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize
6 Bitesize research about Skills development
Bitesize research
Addressing skills gaps and poor job quality among disadvantaged groups
Employers and job seekers alike can benefit when they collaborate to develop training and employment opportunities through local skills eco-systems
For Members
Bitesize research
Six steps to upskilling your people
Help your organisation meet today’s skill-demands
For Members
Bitesize research
Looking beyond degrees – the case for competency-based hiring
The arguments for revisiting your talent strategy
For Members
Bitesize research
Working together to bridge the skills gap
Read summaries of these case studies
For Members
Bitesize research
Transforming talent at AT&T
Read how AT&T created a new blueprint for sourcing future skills
For Members
Bitesize research
Green skills – an opportunity wasted?
How realistic are expectations around extensive job creation and upskilling proving to be?
For Members
CIPD Viewpoint
Our collected point of view on the key issues impacting work, from the perspective of employers and policy makers.
1 CIPD Viewpoint about Skills development
CIPD Viewpoint
Essential skills
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on essential skills, including recommendations for employers
Policy engagement
Our calls for action.
5 Policy engagements about Skills development
Policy engagement
Calling for a comprehensive economic strategy to help the UK out of recession
Read our submission to the UK’s Chancellor, ahead of the March 2024 budget statement
Policy engagement
Calling for an Autumn Statement that drives economic growth and supports better work and working lives in the UK
Read the CIPD’s November 2023 submission to His Majesty’s Treasury
Policy engagement
CIPD Manifesto for Good Work
We’re calling on the UK Government to create a long-term workforce strategy centred on skilled, healthy and fair work
Policy engagement
A revitalised industrial strategy to boost innovation and productivity across all sectors of the UK's economy
We’ve been engaging with key stakeholders and policy makers to make the case for changes to a range of policy areas including skills development and labour market enforcement
Policy engagement
Comprehensive Spending Review
Read the CIPD's submission to Her Majesty's Treasury
Learning
We offer a range of evidence-based courses tailored to suit you and your needs.
Our Essential Insights courses are free as part of the CIPD membership.
Develop your people management skills, so that you can inspire your team to perform at their best and drive maximum value for your organisation. This course will cover the fundamentals of how to be a good people manager.
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