Employer Skills Survey 2022



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, BMG Research or Ipsos MORI. 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 click here if you wish to contact somebody in relation to your data.


How do I know the research agency contacting me is legitimate?
IFF Research, BMG Research and Ipsos MORI are three large, well-established market research agencies. If you would like to check the credentials of the research agency calling you, you can call the Market Research Society for free on 0800 975 9596.

The study is also included on the Department for Education's web page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/research


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 2023. If you participate in the survey you will be asked if you would like to receive a summary report of the findings of the survey.


Where can I view results of the previous study?
Results of the previous study in 2019 can be found on the GOV.UK website:
Employer Skills Survey 2019: Summary report (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Results from the previous Scottish Employer Skills Survey can be found on the Scottish Government website:
Scottish Employer Skills Survey 2020 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)