BMG Research has been commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Education (DfE), to carry out a minimum of 4,000 interviews with UK businesses by the end of 2011. This survey is the UK component of the European-wide Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS) which aims to provide comparable data on continuing training in enterprises across participating EU and non EU European countries.

The first CVTS was carried out in 1994 and it is now in its fourth round. The aim of the UK CVTS4 project is to explore the nature and extent of vocational training that UK employers provide. Questions asked relate to the types of training offered, the numbers of employees being given training, and the costs of training.

The results of the research will be compared with the results from all EU member states and in Norway and Turkey, as well as with the results of previous vocational training surveys in the UK to monitor changes over time.

BMG greatly appreciates the participation of businesses in this survey which will ensure that findings represent the views of UK employers and that these views can be taken into account in government decision-making on vocational training in the UK going forwards.

Interviews are undertaken by telephone and take approximately 20 – 25 minutes. They are arranged at a time convenient to the business, and an information sheet is available to give employers notice of questions they may need to prepare for in advance. Responses will not be attributed to any individual or company. Results will be reported in the form of aggregated statistics.

BMG complies fully with all relevant standards and protocols, including the Market Research Society (MRS) Code of Conduct, and is a member of the British Market Research Association (BMRA).

If you have any questions about UK CTVS4 please contact Emma Parry or Ceri Matthias in the Research Team on 0121 333 6006 or email emma.parry@bmgresearch  or ceri.matthias@bmgresearch.co.uk .