Considering firm surveys: key data and methodological requirements and issues

This document provides a broad definition of labour market information, concentrating on the type of labour market information required to support skills planning. It provides an overview of what, where and how this information is being collected (including how often and using what methods) and also indicates where there are gaps. It includes examples of the way in which Sector Education and Training Authorities collect data, focusing on the extent to which Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Training Introduction reports support the collection of relevant data. Other instruments that are currently used to collect data are also considered. The document also provides an overview of how relevant labour market information is collected internationally and highlights what we can learn from these processes. The implications of this learning for the implementation of a firm-based survey are assessed, as are the questions that need to be addressed prior to the implementation of such a survey.