Centre for Vocational Education Research

The Centre aims to become a world-class research hub with the potential to generate a step-change in our understanding of the nature, significance and potential contribution of vocational education to individuals and the wider economy.

The Centre brings together four partners:

• The University of Sheffield, led by Professor Steven McIntosh
• The Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics, led by Professor Sandra McNally (Director of CVER)
• The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, led by Dr Stefan Speckesser
• London Economics, led by Dr Gavan Conlon

The Sheffield CVER team are leading on projects seeking to estimate the economic value of vocational qualifications in the labour market, using data obtained from national surveys as well as newly-available administrative data.

A separate project is focusing on the demand for vocational education skills, by observing the tasks undertaken by holders of vocational qualifications in the jobs on which they are employed, allowing us to determine the extent to which they use the skills developed whilst acquiring their qualifications.

Newer research will be looking at the effect of receiving vocational education on social mobility.

The results of this research will be published in various forms, including discussion papers, briefing notes and blog posts. These will be found on the CVER website, which also contains more information about the work of the centre across all our partners.

The Sheffield CVER team