Learning and Work Institute has been working in partnership with Edinburgh College to develop a pilot to support low-income workers in Scotland to progress into better jobs.
Funded by The Robertson Trust, the initial phase explored existing approaches to supporting low-income workers to progress into better jobs that could be adapted to the Edinburgh context. This evidence of what works was then used to inform a co-design phase where low-income workers, employers, and local training providers came together to design a programme based on the WorkAdvance model. The Step Up in Care programme would support people in Edinburgh to move into and progress within roles in the social care sector.
Looking forward, we hope to pilot Step Up in Care in Edinburgh. The pilot would be accompanied by a robust evaluation to contribute to the evidence base on what works to support working people to move into fair, sustainable jobs. If successful, the programme could represent an opportunity to improve outcomes for workers, strengthen the social care sector, and build a stronger evidence base for fair work in Edinburgh and beyond.
Our research
Discover our interim and final reports from the project
Interim report: Supporting the progression of low-income workers in Scotland
This report shares findings from the first phase of the programme to build the evidence base on what works to best support low-income workers to progress into better jobs, and to adapt and test proven in-work progression models in Scotland.
Final report: Supporting the progression of low-income workers in Scotland
This report shares findings from the second phase of the programme and sets out a proposed model for a new, evidence-led, in-work progression programme in Edinburgh.
Funded by
3 Tachwedd 2026
The road to net zero: How far have we come?
Commissioned by NOCN Group, this report finds that the number of people being trained in green skills and jobs is rising. However, current training uptake, qualification pathways and workforce readiness still fall short of what’s required to reach net zero.
3 Tachwedd 2026
UK risks missing Net Zero target owing to shortages of skills and workers
New L&W research, commissioned by NOCN Group, reveals key sectors for decarbonisation lack the workers and skills for the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050.
28 Hydref 2026
Tax bills and investment in skills: How can tax relief on training better support UK engineering and manufacturing?
A new Skills Tax Credit could unlock £2.2 billion of additional investment in skills according, to new research commissioned by Enginuity and produced by Learning and Work Institute.
28 Hydref 2026
A Skills Tax Credit for businesses could unlock £2.2 billion skills boost, including in sectors key to growth
Research from Learning and Work Institute (L&W) published today alongside the autumn budget finds that a Skills Tax Credit could produce a £2.2 billion boost to skills across the economy by incentivising more employer investment in training.
20 Hydref 2026
Labour market dashboard
Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.
22 Medi 2026
Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition
AI has transformative potential for the UK economy and could present a net uplift to productivity of up to £80 billion by 2035. Yet the UK workforce does not – yet – have the skills to successfully adopt and scale AI technologies in a truly transformative way.
22 Medi 2026
AI skills investment could add £80 billion to the UK economy
The UK can secure an £80 billion boost to its economy by 2035 if the Government and businesses act together to strengthen the technical skills system, according to a major report published today by L&W and The Rigby Foundation.
7 Medi 2026
UK must make training the ‘go-to’ response to skills needs, or risk holding back growth, new report warns
The Government’s plans to get the economy growing risk falling short unless it takes action to reverse sharp falls in the training employees get at work, new analysis warns.
7 Medi 2026
Understanding employer investment in skills
This is the third and final report of our project funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at employer investment in skills, and how employees are responding to the need to upskill and retrain in a transitioning economy.
