Assessing markets for programmes and products

Marketwise Strategies supports Further Education colleges, private sector training providers and skills agencies, in assessing market demand, informing product positioning and developing marketing strategies. Our further education projects range from feasibility studies, to employer consultations:

  • Engaging with industry (qualitative and quantitative research) to assess demand for foundation degree modules.
  • Market analysis and positioning study for a government-supported training programme. Desk research and (UK-wide) telephone interviews.
  • Research to inform market positioning and promotion for online learning modules aimed at CPD markets. (Commissioned by a large, UK Professional body).
  • Multi-stage project to inform and facilitate conversion of a major, UK-wide training programme from a residential to a blended learning format. Involved: quantitative and qualitative research among past and present students and their managers; research among e-learning providers; research and development of a blended learning strategy; and preparation of OJEU-compliant tender documentation.
  • Feasibility Research for a leadership skills development programme, linking senior staff in the public and private sectors. Our recommendations were subsequently taken forward by the Whitehall and Industry Group. (RDA client)
  • Market assessment for new, web-based, language-learning software aimed at an international market.
  • Research among managers in Higher Education, Further Education, LEAs, City Learning Centres and national co-ordinating bodies, to explore the market for a new suite of web-based e-learning applications and to highlight implications for market entry.
  • Qualitative research for a national, independent training company, to inform market entry strategy for a medical-related qualification. Included researching perceptions of the learning providers brand and identifying key competitors.

Skills research

Our work for organisations tasked with developing sector skills strategies includes:

  • Partnering in a university research unit project to explore skills requirements and education and training levels in STEM companies.
  • Research to assess demand for higher level skills in the North East, in three key skills areas (Leadership and Management, Health and Social Care, and Engineering). Findings were disseminated to HEIs across the region.

Other relevant projects delivered by our research team

  • Analysis of marketing decision-making processes and marketing implementation in a FE college.