The Effectiveness of British Government Skillcentres: A Case Study

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the role and effectiveness of retraining in British Government Skillcentres (formerly Government Training Centres) using case study material from a project based on the North Humberside local labour market. In the first section the background to the project and the methodology utilised are outlined. Secondly, we examine the characteristics of the Skillcentre trainees and their evaluations of the courses followed. Thirdly, we discuss the job search process and post‐training employment experience of these trainees. The fourth section concentrates on the demand side consideration of the responses and views of employers vis‐à‐vis Skillcentre trainees. Finally, we conclude that while such retraining programmes have met with some limited success there are certain important aspects which warrant further discussion.

Citation

Showler, B., Pettman, B.O. and Maguire, M.J. (1978), "The Effectiveness of British Government Skillcentres: A Case Study", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 158-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb013827