Overview

This book offers a comprehensive account of post-compulsory education and training policy in the UK since 1944. It challenges the reader and policy makers to think differently about how to design and implement more successful skills policies in the future.

Full Product Details

Author:   Tom Bewick (Staffordshire University (Visiting Professor of Skills and Workforce Policy))
Publisher:   Bristol University Press
Imprint:   Policy Press
ISBN:  

9781447372226

ISBN 10:   1447372220
Pages:   320
Publication Date:   29 October 2025
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Political Economy of Skill Part 1: The Interventionist State (1944–1979) 1. Foundations: Industrial and Skills Planning in the Crisis of War 2. The Landmark 1944 Education and Employment Acts Part 2: Laissez-Faire State (1980–1987) 3. Rolling Back the Frontiers of the Training State? 4. De-Regulation, Voluntarism and Training: Somebody Else’s Responsibility Part 3: Localism and the Training State (1988–1997) 5. Employment for the 1990s 6. New Labour’s Workforce Vision and the Third Way Part 4: Devolved States (1998-Present) 7. Divergence and Discord: Skills Policy and the Devolution Settlement 8. From Maastricht to Brexit: The Supranational Skills Auction Part 5: The Austerity State (2011–2019) 9. Austerity and Reform in Further Education: Does Anyone Care? 10. Lord Sainsbury’s Skills Plan: A Return to 1944? 11. English Apprenticeship Reform: A Revolution That Failed? Part 6: Full-Circle or the Technocratic State? (2020 Onwards) 12. The Technocratic State and Skills Policy Paradigms: Where Next? 13. The UK Productivity Puzzle: Does Skills Policy Matter? 14. Conclusion: Skills Policy and the Future of Work

Reviews

“The use of archival material offers fascinating insights into the persistence of some skills policy issues and the ‘imprinting’ of policy development over many decades. This book demonstrates that escaping the past is exceedingly hard!” Ewart Keep, Oxford University (emeritus) and former Director of SKOPE “Rich in history, unique empirical insight and written with a refreshing accessible style, Bewick provides a defining text on the skills sector and its idiosyncratic British tendencies.” Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Staffordshire “What Bewick has produced will become a benchmark book for anyone interested in skills policy in Britain and beyond.” Chris Warhurst, Institute of Employment Research, Warwick University “This clear, engaging contribution is an essential resource for anyone involved in skills development – both in Britain and internationally.” Katy Jones, Manchester Metropolitan University “Bewick’s experience in the public and private sectors, combined with indefatigable archive work, yields insights into how policy makers deal with trade-offs inherent in skills policy. This book will be of interest and relevance to American and international audiences grappling with building efficient and equitable skills systems.” Robert I. Lerman, American University (emeritus) and Chair of Apprenticeships for America

Author Information

Tom Bewick is Visiting Professor of Skills and Workforce Policy at the University of Staffordshire. He is a former policy adviser to UK ministers on post-compulsory education and training.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions