The labour market research team generates and communicates policy-relevant research findings, and develops new data sources to fill key information gaps.

The research programme for 2010/11 has a focus on:

• the labour market outcomes of people who undertake tertiary education or industry training,
• the employment conditions and work arrangements of people in the workforce, and
• adult literacy, language and numeracy skills.

Linked Employer-Employee Data research programme

The LEED research programme is a multi-year project that is generating new research findings about workers and firms using linked employer and employee data.

Survey of Working Life Research Programme

The SoWL research programme is analysing data from Statistics New Zealand’s Survey of Working Life (SoWL). This survey collected information on the employment conditions, work arrangements and job flexibility of employed people in New Zealand in the March 2008 quarter.

Literacy and Numeracy research and evaluation page

The Department of Labour, in partnership with the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Education, is responsible for a programme of research and evaluation on workforce literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) skills. Its purpose is to build the evidence base to inform policy development and practices for improving adult literacy, language and numeracy skills.

Discussion Papers

Discussion papers on topical labour market issues.