In this episode, we’re asking who is plugging the skills gap? To discuss this we’re joined by Naomi Clayton, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy, research and development organisation dedicated to lifelong learning, full employment and inclusion.  

We’re also joined by Sam Tuckett, from the Education Policy Institute. Sam has worked as an analyst at the Department for Education.

About Naomi Clayton 

Naomi has extensive experience in policy and research with specialisms in employment, skills and labour market disadvantage. Prior to joining the Learning and Work Institute, Naomi was deputy director at the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth, and policy and research manager at Centre for Cities where she was responsible for developing and overseeing programmes to support effective policy and practice. She has worked with partners across the UK to support them to use of evidence and demonstrate impact through the implementation of skills strategies, youth employment support and in-work progression pilots, and the development of local industrial strategies. 

About Sam Tuckett 

Sam joined the Education Policy Institute in January 2020, having worked for 5 years as an analyst in the Department for Education. His roles included leading analysis of key stage 2 and 4 accountability reforms and supporting the introduction of Progress 8. 

More recently he has worked across government to link education data sets with sources held by the Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to expand the existing evidence base. 

Sam has also supported projects at the Education Partnerships Group, an organisation supporting education policy reforms in developing countries. 

Resources: 

• Download the transcript for this episode here.