Gender and Employment in Local Labour Markets Centre for Social Inclusion Sheffield Hallam University Funded by a research award from HE ESF

Overview Background to the Project Project Aims Policy Relevance Research Design Statistical Analysis Local Research Studies Partnerships Working with West Midlands authorities Project Outcomes Timetable

Background to the Project (1) Call for ESF Higher Education Sector National Research Projects (May 2003) SHU bid submitted to "Researching Gender Discrimination in Employment" (Policy Field 5 Measure 2 July 2003) Funding awarded to SHU's project: Gender and Employment in Local Labour Markets, supported by the EOC, TUC and 10 Local Authorities (Sep 2003) Formal contracting with partners (autumn 2003)

Background to the Project (2) Gender inequality in the UK persists in: occupational segregation and gendered vocational choices differences in patterns of employment the gender pay gap inequalities in caring responsibilities and in support for parents/carers barriers to women's advancement in the workplace the need to translate women's improved educational attainments into labour market success

The Project Aims to ■ produce a gender-disaggregated statistical profile of a LLM in each region ■ raise awareness about gendered inequality in the LLM in each locality ■ explore issues identified in the statistical evidence in local research studies developed with the LAs and their partner agencies ■ develop a gender mainstreaming strategy for each LLM in collaboration with the LA, local agencies and representatives of employers/ TUs

Policy relevance Fits with policies for achieving equality and social inclusion. All government departments have endorsed the DTI's PSA objective of achieving improvements in gender equality by 2006 through:  enhancing women's lifetime incomes/economic well-being  maximising women's personal career development  optimising work/life balance  making full use of women's talents  maximising returns on public investments in education & training

Research Design Statistical analysis of Census 2001 and other relevant datasets to produce gender-disaggregated labour market profiles of each LA and selected sub-areas (2004) Local Research Studies (up to 3 in each LA) on topics arising from the profiles and local consultation process (autumn 2004 – spring 2006) Comparative analysis of data from the different local labour markets (2005-6) Gender mainstreaming - feeding the research results into local policy processes and planning (2005-6) National dissemination event – supported by the national as well as the regional partners (summer 2006)

Statistical analysis of labour market and related data Topics  Demographic context  Education/training  Employment  Pay  Unemployment/economic inactivity;  Diversity  Work-life balance Key data sources:  Census of Population  Labour Force Survey  Annual Business Inquiry  Statistics of Education  Other government data (DWP etc)

Local research studies: approach to be carried out between autumn 2004 and spring 2006 most studies will be replicated in at least 5 LAs, to permit comparative analysis up to 3 studies will be conducted in each LA detailed decisions, including which studies will be carried out in each LA, will be taken in summer 2004 RPGs are encouraged to contribute ideas and advice on these studies

Local research studies: 1. Low-Paid Part-time Work: why do women work below their potential? 2. Building Bridges to Work: Gender, Local Labour Markets and Neighbourhood Projects 3. Enhancing Employment Opportunities for Women from Black and Minority Ethnic Groups 4. Factors Affecting Women's Career Development in the Local Authority Sector in England 5. Women's Poverty and Economic Disadvantage: the impact of regeneration initiatives and developments 6. The Social Care Workforce

Partnership arrangements (1) Regional partners - Local Authorities each with a Lead Officer and a Census liaison officer  Thurrock  Trafford  West Sussex  Leicester  Sandwell  Birmingham  East Staffordshire  Somerset  Camden  Newcastle  Wakefield

Partnership arrangements (2)  Regional Project Groups link with each LA's local partners meet at least 4 times to guide and advise the project  Role of each RPG stimulate local interest / commitment enable the participation of employers, trade unions, relevant government agencies & voluntary organisations offer ideas and guidance on local employment and labour market issues link the project to relevant local policy agendas and activities support the events organised to disseminate the gender profiles of the local labour market & to publicise / discuss the research findings

Partnership arrangements (3) National Partners  Equal Opportunities Commission  TUC  national employer organisations (tbc) National Advisory Group  SHU Senior Team  representative of each partner LA  representative of each national partner  3 independent experts

Working with Somerset CC SHU's lead is Sue Yeandle Liaison on statistical aspects: Lisa Buckner Council lead officer: Ann Copsey Census liaison officer: Carrie Williams Local project team

Outcomes ■ Gender profiles of LLMs in the 9 GO regions. ■ Reports of the LLM research studies in each locality ■ Awareness raising/action planning events - 2 events in each LLM ■ Final report ■ National dissemination conference ■ Longer term outcomes:  gender mainstreaming strategies in each LA;  development of evidence based policy actions to combat discrimination against women in employment;  increased effectiveness of local initiatives on employment

Management arrangements (1) Regular Project team meetings at SHU Clear allocation of responsibilities for liaison with each partner Statistical analysis team led by Dr Buckner Each Local Research Study will have a project lead (Dr Grant is leading the study on "PT work and low pay" which has EOC sponsorship) Partners can contact us at any time

Management arrangements (2) Each LA has completed a Public Match Funding Certificate and signed a letter of agreement with SHU Each partner takes responsibility for evidencing their match funding contributions Detailed guidance on submitting match funding evidence – please contact Ian Chesters or Tim Strickland for advice Partners are welcome to secure cash from other bodies as part of their contribution Match funding must not include ESF funding on other projects

Timetable RPGs Feb & Jun 04; Jan & Jun 05; Jan & Jun 06 NAG Apr 04; Sep/Oct 04; Jul 05; Apr 06 Regional Events: autumn 04; spring 06 Statistical results: from Easter 04 Local Research Studies: autumn 04 – spring 06 Research Study results : from late 05 National report and conference: July 06

Contacting the team The GELLM project is led by  Prof. Sue Yeandle Director Centre for Social Inclusion Sheffield Hallam University  Administrator: Ian Chesters Tel Statistical lead:  Dr Lisa Buckner Research Fellow in Social Statistics Tel: Match Funding Adviser  Tim Strickland Te:l