Employer Skills Survey 2024



Frequently Asked Questions



What are the aims of the project?
The project aims to gather information on the skills that employers need, the skills they are short of and the training they offer. The survey aims to help Government and other organisations to help employers, by better understanding their skills, training and employment needs.


Why do you need to talk to me?
Your establishment has been chosen at random to make sure we get a truly representative picture of all businesses (large and small) in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Your co-operation will ensure that views expressed are representative of all employers in your industry.


How was I selected?
Your organisation has been selected at random from a combination of Market Location's Business Database (which combines 118 and Thomson data) and the ONS Inter-Departmental Business Register.


What does participation involve?
Participation will involve a telephone interview with an interviewer from IFF Research. On average interviews last around 20 minutes. However, the interview length may vary depending on the answers that you give. The interview will take place at a time that is convenient for you.


Why can't you talk to my head office?
The survey asks about site-specific topics to understand how approaches vary geographically. If we were to speak to your head office we wouldn't get a complete picture of issues at a local level.


What are you collecting information on?
We collect information on areas including vacancies, vacancies that are hard to fill, the skills of the existing workforce and what training employers offer.


How does this benefit my organisation?
The survey provides you with the opportunity to input into research, which will help planners develop policies to address employer skill needs.


Will my responses be confidential?
Your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence under the Code of Conduct of the Market Research Society and in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). You can view the Department for Education's personal information charter here.

Under data protection law, you have the right to have a copy of your data, change your data, or withdraw from the research at any point. Please email SkillsSurvey2024@iffresearch.com if you wish to contact us about your data.


How will you ensure my responses are confidential?
All data that you provide to IFF Research during your participation in the survey will undergo a process of pseudonymisation. UK GDPR legislation defines pseudonymisation as the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person. Effectively, this means that the data you provide and that will be used for analysis will have your name and contact details removed as soon as possible.


How do I know the research agency contacting me is legitimate?
IFF Research is a large, well-established market research agency. If you would like to check IFF Research's credentials you can call the Market Research Society for free on 0800 975 9596.


Will I be able to access the results of the survey?
Yes. The results of the survey will be made publicly available on the GOV.UK website in 2025. If you participate in the survey you will be asked if you would like to receive a summary report of the findings.


Where can I view results of the previous study?
The last Employer Skills Survey was carried out in 2022 and results from this survey can be viewed on the GOV.UK website: Employer skills survey: 2022 - GOV.UK

For 2022 results from data collected with employers in Scotland specifically, please see the Scottish Government website: UK Employer Skills Survey 2022 - Scotland Report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

For 2022 results from data collected with employers in Wales specifically, please see the Welsh Government website: Employer Skills Survey: 2022 (Wales report) | GOV.WALES

For 2022 results from data collected with employers in Northern Ireland specifically, please see the Northern Irish Department for the Economy website: Employer Skills Survey 2022 | Department for the Economy (economy-ni.gov.uk)


Why are you interviewing people during the election period?
The Employer Skills Survey data are official statistics. As such, fieldwork is permitted to continue in the pre-election period in line with the civil service guidance.