Navigating the future of workforce skills in the UK 

The UK’s economic success hinges on a skilled workforce. 

Workforce development is highlighted as one of the six main policy areas for driving growth in the Department for Business and Trade’s Invest 2035 industrial strategy green paper.   

Despite strong institutions and policy frameworks, 10% of businesses struggle with vacancies due to skills shortages.  

At Urban Foresight, we believe solving this requires more than generic workforce planning. It demands insight-led, place-based strategies that anticipate future needs, engage stakeholders, and deliver tailored solutions. 

Anticipating the skills of tomorrow 

As industries evolve and technology reshapes the job market, the challenge isn’t just filling roles—it’s ensuring workers have the right skills for the future. 

To stay competitive, businesses and policymakers must forecast the skills landscape. We help organisations do this by analysing trends, predicting workforce needs, and developing strategies that bridge skills gaps.  

Our work includes: 

• Skills demand forecasting – identifying emerging trends across industries. 

• Supply analysis – mapping skills gaps by sector and region. 

• Strategic development – crafting roadmaps to ensure resilience and adaptability. 

Evaluating what works 

Effective policies require rigorous evaluation. We assess workforce development initiatives, measure their impact, and provide actionable recommendations to improve outcomes.  

Our expertise includes: 

• Impact evaluations – measuring the success of workforce programmes. 

• Policy analysis – identifying what works and where improvements are needed. 

• Workforce strategy reviews – ensuring professional standards and training reflect current and future demands. 

Insights that drive action 

A thriving workforce isn’t just about policies; it’s about people. Our research provides deep insights into specific sectors, helping organisations tackle recruitment, retention, and workforce planning challenges. We explore: 

• Sectoral needs – understanding the skills required in areas like green jobs, digital industries, and health & social care. 

• Stakeholder perspectives – gathering intelligence from employers, educators, and policymakers. 

• Workforce solutions – delivering evidence-based recommendations to improve skills provision and workforce participation. 

Real-world impact 

We don’t just analyse workforce challenges—we help to solve them. Our recent work includes: 

• Communication skills research – supporting the North East’s Local Skills Improvement Plan by identifying key skills gaps and informing training provision. 

• Green jobs strategy – helping the North East prepare for the demand in green skills through research with over 230 businesses. 

• Entrepreneurial skills development – partnering with Connected Places Catapult to improve access to entrepreneurial education for young people, particularly from underrepresented groups. 

A workforce fit for the future 

As the UK continues to address the challenge of skills shortages, it is critical for businesses, local authorities, and education providers to work together to build a workforce that is adaptable, resilient, and equipped with the skills required for the future.  

At Urban Foresight, we are committed to supporting the development of targeted, place-based skills strategies that will empower local economies and drive sustainable growth. 

Contact us at hello@urbanforesight.com to learn how our expertise in workforce planning, skills research, and policy evaluation can help you to drive positive change in your business or region.