Understanding the workforce realities that shape regional growth.

Labour markets play a critical role in shaping investment outcomes, economic growth and the long-term success of places. We help Strategic and Local Authorities understand these relationships, providing the evidence, insight and challenge needed to make better decisions about economic development, skills, infrastructure and investment.

Our role is to act as a trusted strategic adviser, supporting organisations as strategies, growth plans, regeneration programmes and investment propositions evolve. We help clients navigate uncertainty, test assumptions and ensure that workforce considerations are fully integrated into decision-making.

Our services include:

  • Strategic challenge and review of policies, plans and investment priorities

  • Labour market and workforce analysis to understand opportunities, risks and constraints

  • Evidence development to strengthen business cases, strategies and funding bids

  • Stakeholder engagement and facilitation to support consensus-building and decision-making

  • Scenario testing and option appraisal to explore alternative growth pathways and investment outcomes

Workforce Modelling and Economic Insight

A key part of our offer is helping clients understand how labour markets influence economic and investment performance.

At Ascham Grindal, we have developed a bespoke workforce modelling approach that goes beyond traditional labour market forecasting. Rather than simply projecting future employment demand, our model examines how labour resources may be allocated across competing sectors, investment programmes and economic priorities within a place. This approach helps Strategic and Local Authorities understand:

  • Where workforce constraints could limit growth and investment ambitions

  • Which sectors and opportunities offer the greatest economic potential

  • How different policy, investment and development choices affect labour demand

  • The trade-offs that may need to be considered when setting strategic priorities

  • The actions required to align skills, jobs and investment with long-term economic objectives

By connecting labour markets with investment decisions, economic strategy and place leadership, we provide clients with a clearer understanding of what is achievable, what is at risk, and where interventions can have the greatest impact.

Tailored to Your Needs

Every place faces a different set of opportunities and challenges. While our services can be structured around the areas outlined above, we work flexibly with clients to develop support that reflects their specific objectives, priorities and local circumstances.

If you would like to discuss how we can support your organisation, please get in touch.