Jun 2008 – SQW Consulting appoints expert to drive expansion of employment and skills services
SQW Consulting has appointed Dr Eleanor Breen as its Associate Director to drive forward the expansion of its Employment and Skills Policy services. Dr Breen, an expert in labour market policy and skills issues, formerly worked for GHK Consulting where she was a director for 13 years and helped build the UK arm of the business. To read the press release, click here.
Apr 2008 – Northwest Business ICT Survey 2007
The Northwest Development Agency has published the findings from a major SQW/GfK NOP study into the exploitation of Information and Communications Technology by businesses in the Northwest. Based on a series of interviews with 2,000 business users of ICT and 200 ICT suppliers in the region, the report examines differences in ICT adoption and impact between sub-regions, rural vs urban areas, sectors and different sizes of businesses. SQW presented the study findings at the Northwest Research Conference in Manchester in April 2008.To read the report, click here.
Mar 2008 – Economic Impact of Glasgow Prestwick Airport
In March 2008, SQW Consulting’s report on the economic benefits of Glasgow Prestwick airport was launched by the Chief Executive of the airport and the First Minister, Alex Salmond. The report demonstrated the contribution that the airport makes to the Ayrshire and Scottish economy. This was not just the direct employment, but also included a survey of businesses who reported on the role that it plays in supporting their performance. This ranged from tourism, direct sales to the airport, access to markets and use of freight services. The launch of the report was covered by Scottish television and the press. To read the report, click here.
Feb 2008 – Award of North West Scholarships
Since 2003, SQW Consulting’s Manchester office has offered an annual scholarship to students undertaking postgraduate study at a North West university in an area relevant to the firm ‘s work. We are pleased to announce that two awards have been made this year, to Elise Kaye and Liam Connors, both at the University of Liverpool. Elise is studying for an MA in Geographies of Globalisation and Development and Liam for an MSc in Urban Regeneration and Management. The award includes a bursary of £1,000 to help finance their studies and the opportunity to develop links with the firm during their studies.
Jan 2008 – Analysis of HEIF 3 Institutional Plans
HEIF supports institutions to engage in a broad range of knowledge transfer activities with business, public sector and community partners, for economic and social benefit. HEFCE commissioned SQW Consulting to inform HEFCE, and other stakeholders, on the uses of HEIF 3 funds and the potential outputs. The study found that tentative conclusions could be reached about the planned use of HEIF 3 funding. The report concludes, however, that the plans were of limited value for sector-level information on activities and projected outputs. SQW separately made recommendations to HEFCE about improving the format of plans and these recommendations have fed into HEFCE’s work to develop requirements for HEIF 4 from 2008-09. To read the report, click here.
Jan 2008 – Impact Evaluation of Spinno Programme in 2001–2006
The Spinno programme, funded by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs, is designed to promote knowledge exchange between universities and other organisations. In 2003, SQW undertook a mid-term review of the first round of Spinno funding and subsequently worked with the Ministry to design a process for appraising applications to the second round of funding. We were commissioned to evaluate the schemes’ operation and performance between 2001 and 2006 and to consider the implications for EU structural funds over the period 2007-2013. To read the report, click here.