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Welcome to our March mid-month spotlight.
The APPG on the Future of Work – for which IFOW acts as a secretariat and Strategic Research Partner – is hosting an expert session on the Employment Rights Bill next week. Reserve a space here. Join parliamentarians, industry leads and representatives from unions and civil society at this vital discussion on the progress of the Bill, and what this will mean for firms and employees. This forms part of an exciting programme of events for the APPG over the coming weeks and months focused on developing practical solutions for a fairer future of better in the UK. Sign up to get information about these here.
Last week, IFOW’s Founding Director, Anna Thomas MBE, spoke at techUK’s annual Policy Conference, joining a distinguished panel – including leaders from Sage, the TUC, and HP Inc UK Ltd - to discuss how workplace technologies – including AI - could boost productivity and living standards. As Anna highlighted in the session, our groundbreaking research in the Pissarides Review – funded by the Nuffield Foundation – offers detailed findings on the impact of tech adoption at system, firm and individual levels, going beyond core ideas of growth to encompass work on health and wellbeing, as well as practical policy implications on how the adoption of workplace technologies can build and sustain good work. Read our final report and executive summary here.
As the leading parliamentary forum on the future of work, our APPG on the Future of Work is committed to shaping a fairer future of better work across the UK. Through events, policy discussions, and collaborations, we tackle the challenges and opportunities that technology and policy shifts bring to the world of work.
Our next event is at 2 pm on the 27th of March, in House of Lords Committee Room 1. With a group of expert panellists, this will be an insightful discussion examining the evolving landscape of employment rights in the UK as the Employment Rights Bill progresses through Parliament, and will look at gaps between policy intentions and implementation, emerging challenges, and the road ahead. It promises to be a vital primer on this very important piece of legislation, as well as an opportunity to feed into debate on it.
Confirmed:
Scope:
The focus will be on the policy landscape created by the Employment Rights Bill:
Register here.
Our Associate Director, Kester Brewin, has recently written an insightful article for Luminate, the student and graduate labour market information portal. His piece explores how graduates and employers can better prepare for the rapidly evolving world of work, drawing on insights from our Nuffield Foundation-funded Pissarides Review.
In this article, Kester highlights the growing importance of developing both skills clusters and adaptable capabilities as key priorities for graduates and firms alike. As technological transformation reshapes industries and career pathways, the ability to combine technical expertise with broader, transferable skills will become increasingly valuable.
Drawing from the findings of the Pissarides Review, Kester discusses how businesses must also evolve their approach to talent development. Rather than focusing solely on narrow technical skills, firms are encouraged to support the cultivation of broader capabilities, empowering employees to respond effectively to technological change. By investing in upskilling strategies that prioritise both technical and transferable skills, businesses can build more resilient and innovative workforces.
This month marks the Week of VocTech, a dedicated celebration of innovation in vocational learning. The week brings together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how technology can transform skills development and ensure people are equipped for the future of work. From practical tools to bold ideas, the event highlights the exciting potential of VocTech to unlock opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.
IFOW's Co-Chair of Trustees, Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, will join Mary Curnock-Cook CBE and Rebecca Garrod-Waters for a vital conversation on systemic reforms in skills development. The panel will explore how emerging technologies, structural change, and innovative approaches can create a fairer, future-ready skills system that empowers individuals and drives economic growth.
Register here.
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Anna Thomas MBE
