National employer skills survey for England 2009: Key findings report

This Evidence Report presents the Key Findings from the National Employer Skills Survey for England 2009 (NESS09), the newest edition of a series of surveys that was established by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in 2003. It covers the incidence, extent and nature of skills problems facing employers, in terms of skill-shortage vacancies, skills gaps and the likelihood that employees will need upskilling. It examines employer training activity and training spend, as well as employer product market strategies. The context of recession, in which the fieldwork for this project was carried out, is reflected in analysis of questions asking employers how they were impacted by the economic downturn. Analysis is carried out by size of organisation; sector, defined by both Standard Industrial Classification and Sector Skills Council footprint; and English region.