Centre for Vocational Education Research

The Centre for Vocational Education Research (CVER) is a research institution, funded by the UK government Department for Education.

Research taking place at the Centre for Vocational Education Research (CVER)

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:


CVER will aim to address the following fundamental questions facing vocational education today:

  1. Describing the Further and Vocational Education landscape in England
  2. How does vocational education affect individual prosperity, firm productivity and profitability, and economic growth?
  3. How can the quantity of 'high quality' vocational education provision be improved?
  4. How do the costs and benefits of vocational education influence individuals' participation decisions?

    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

    Name Post Contact

    Steven McIntosh

    Professor of Economics

    Tel: +44 114 222 3406
    Email: s.mcintosh@sheffield.ac.uk

    Andy Dickerson

    Professor of Economics

    Tel: +44 114 222 3321
    Email: a.p.dickerson@sheffield.ac.uk

    Damon Morris

    Research Associate

    Tel: +44 114 222 9659
    Email: d.j.morris@sheffield.ac.uk

    Emily McDool

    Research Associate

    Tel: +44 114 222 9656
    Email: e.m.mcdool@sheffield.ac.uk

    Konstantina Maragkou

    Research Student

    Tel: +44 114 222 3421 or +44 114 222 3311
    Email: kmaragkou1@sheffield.ac.uk

    Maria Petrillo

    Research Student

    Tel: +44 114 222 3421 or +44 114 222 3311
    Email: mpetrillo1@sheffield.ac.uk

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