Small and Medium Sized Business and Disadvantaged Parents: Overcoming Training, Recruitment and Retention Barriers

Abstract

The objective of this project was to investigate how employer demand side issues affect the recruitment of lone parents. Specifically it considered how recruitment and retention activities within small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Scotland affected the supply of labour from such disadvantaged groups. The research is consistent with current policy efforts to improve labour supply for SMEs and to increase employment rates amongst lone parents and reduce child poverty. The research was carried out by the Employment Research Institute, Napier University, Edinburgh. The project was part funded by the European Social Fund Objective 3 Programme, as part of Priority 4 - A competitive economy, Measure 4a.1 - Positive actions for workforce training and learning. This reports sets out the detailed findings of the project, and a shorter summary document is also available.