A Skills and Learning Observatory for Wales

Building on best practice

A review of Observatory development in the UK and beyond

What is an Observatory?

The term “Observatory” is used to describe a central unit or portal that will enable a user to access a wide selection of information about a subject area. The most successful Observatories are those that enhance the data through intelligent analysis and informed debate. Observatories can cover a range of subject areas – the most common being health.

What is an Observatory?

The term ‘Observatory’ is not a new one. Concept has emerged in Europe over the last 10 years Models range from Websites offering single reports to

highly developed portals containing sophisticated knowledge management tools.

Observatories have been established in eight of the nine regions of England and in Scotland

Regional Observatories at different stages of development - lessons to be learned.

Why does Wales need a Skills and Learning Observatory?

All policy makers need to have access to the widest and latest information on research and best practise and all decisions need to be demonstrably rooted in this knowledge.

The creation of a Welsh Skills and Learning Observatory will: Generate joined up intelligence on the economy, labour

market, education skills and learning in Wales Provide evidence about Wales upon which strategy and

policy can be developed. Further embed FSW into the policy making arena.

Proposed vision for the Observatory

To ensure that individuals, learning providers, businesses and policy makers have access to comprehensive, accurate and up to date information about their local and regional economies to inform personal choice, learning provision, business development and skills and that policy interventions and actions are fully informed by robust and accessible evidence on learning, skills and the labour market.

Proposed Objectives

To develop effective engagement of key partners and the sharing of intelligence across a wide partnership

To be the key co-ordinator, assembler, analyser and disseminator of skills and learning information in Wales

Add “intelligence” to national and regional skills issues, considering the implications for now and in the future

Influence decision making at all levels Lead a forward looking shared research programme

Key issues emerging

from the Review

Purpose

Improve the evidence base for policy making and

practice

Improving the availability and quality of information

and intelligence

Developing frameworks for data sharing

Provide access to information and intelligence via

websites and a range of electronic dissemination

tools.

Purpose For some, the emphasis is on gathering, warehousing and

presenting data. Key considerations are: providing incentives for the submission of data on-line tools that allow the presentation and querying of data

Others place greater emphasis on 'intelligising' the data - sharing it with different audiences in different ways in order to develop common understandings and strategies. The range of activities employed by observatories to this end varies vastly: hosting workshops and on-line discussions developing reports for regional partners development of forecasting models.

Other functions

Management of research programmes and projects

Identifying gaps in data and intelligence and plugging gaps

Monitoring regional strategies

Providing intelligence and analysis to support regional strategies/plans

Providing state of the region reports

Provision of sophisticated GIS mapping systems to store and present regional data

Policy development Good practice collation

and dissemination Benchmarking

Structure and management

Involvement of strategic partners is crucial

Issue of “who owns the Observatory”

Independence is seen as valuable

Three models ELWa

Partnership such as FSW

Independent model (contracted out or new company)

Resourcing the Observatories

Budgets range from very little to £1m.

Funding from strategic agencies and Europe

Possible future charging for services

Is there the potential to share costs across partners

and achieve economies of scale?

Activities and services

Data warehousing

Data mapping

Data sharing and

agreements on

standardisation

Employers surveys

Local and sector and

economic profiles

Research programmes

Searchable databases of

research/expertise

Forecasting

Foresighting

Learning themes and

focused policy debates

Activities & Services cont’d

Research surveys and report

News bulletins and briefings

Policy briefings Good practice collation

and dissemination On-line data access and

manipulation

Helpdesks

State of the region

reports

Information portal

Website

Links to plans

Observatories playing a role in supporting the development of plans and strategies

Increasingly monitoring progress

Consideration will need to be given to what role the Skills and Learning Observatory would play in supporting and monitoring strategies and plans within Wales?

Other issues

The need to engender a culture of information and data sharing.

The need to be realistic and manage expectations

Key questions

Which model is right for Wales?

What should be the focus?

Who is the key audience?

How would an Observatory add value to that which is already underway in Wales?

How should it link with other Observatories and networks within Wales and beyond?

What activities and services are needed and what are the priorities if resources are limited?

Key questions

How should be managed and owned?

How should users be involved?

Communication and dissemination?