ABOUT THE AUTHORS
This research was undertaken by Dr. Johnny Sung, Prof. David Ashton and Dr. Arwen Raddon
Johnny Sung is currently Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester. Dr. Sung has carried out extensive research in international comparative skills systems and high performance working. Working closely with Prof. David Ashton and Dr. Arwen Raddon, Dr. Sung has provided research and consultancy to the Sector Skills Development Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry, the International Labour Organisation, Regional Development Agencies and overseas governments. As well as publishing in research journals, Dr. Sung is currently working on a book entitled Vocational Education and Training for Skills and Performance: the Fundamental Principles of a Contemporary Workforce Development System (Edward Elgar).
David Ashton is currently an Emeritus Professor at Leicester University, Honorary Professor at Cardiff University, and an Associate at the Centre for Skills Knowledge and Organisational Performance ( SKOPE). Prof. Ashton has published twelve books and over 150 scholarly articles. He has recently published Skills Abroad: A Comparative Assessment of International Policy Approaches to Skills Leading to the Development of Policy Recommendations, (with J. Sung and A. Raddon) and a Catalyst publication both for the SSDA. Currently, he is working (with J. Sung) on a book provisionally titled Competing Through Skills: Employers' Competitive Strategies and the Demand for Skills (Sage). He has provided consultancy services to a range of organisations: e.g. Cabinet Office, Department of Trade Industry, Department for Education and Skills, UKCES and the Welsh Assembly and overseas for Departments of the South African and Singapore Governments and various sections of the European Union. At the international level he has acted as a consultant for the United Nations International Labour Organisation and the World Bank.
Arwen Raddon is a Lecturer at the Centre for Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester. Dr. Raddon has worked on a number of research and consultancy projects for organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, the Department for Trade and Industry, the East Midlands Development Agency, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Sector Skills Development Agency. Dr. Raddon's research and publications focus on two key areas - working and learning in higher education, and training and skills. She recently published The Business Benefits of Training in the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry, commissioned by Improve, the Sector Skills Council for the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry, and Impact and Career Choices of PhD Graduates for the Economic and Social Research Council.