Learning and Work Institute today announced the appointment of Michelle Matheron as Director for Wales.

Michelle will lead our work in Wales and be an important part of the organisation’s senior leadership team. Michelle is currently Assistant Director, External Affairs at The Open University in Wales and has over 20 years experience of working in policy, public affairs and communications across the HE and voluntary sectors in Wales.

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Michelle to Learning and Work Institute. She brings great expertise in lifelong learning and will help to shape our work across learning, skills and employment. Michelle joins at a vital time, with Senedd elections next year and with learning and work being golden threads across so many of the big challenges. I look forward to working with Michelle to continue to grow the impact of our work in Wales.”

Michelle Matheron said:

“It is a huge privilege to be joining the team at Learning and Work Institute. I have worked alongside the organisation for a number of years and am excited to get the chance to lead their work in Wales at a time when lifelong learning, skills and access to employment could not be more important.”

20 Ionawr 2026

Labour market dashboard

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.

Darllen mwy

20 Ionawr 2026

Labour Market Briefing: January 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 20 January 2026.

Darllen mwy

20 Ionawr 2026

Labour market stats response, January 2026

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.

Darllen mwy

16 Ionawr 2026

From strength to strength: JobsPlus in Toxteth

Reflections from one of our delivery providers for JobsPlus, a new community-led approach to help people find work and boost their earnings. JobsPlus is being piloted on 10 sites across England, following the model’s success in the United States.

Darllen mwy

13 Ionawr 2026

Labour Market Evidence Programme

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies, in partnership with Learning and Work Institute, to deliver evidence reviews and practical resources on key labour market issues to help inform local policymakers.

Darllen mwy

2 Ionawr 2026

Getting neighbourhoods working: over 1,000 people take part in community-led employment support

Over 1,000 people have engaged with JobsPlus, a new community-led approach to finding work and increasing earnings which is being piloted across England from Medway to Merseyside following the model’s success in the United States.

Darllen mwy

24 Rhagfyr 2025

Falling short: Understanding further falls in employer training

This briefing looks at how employer investment in training continues to fall – now down 36% per employee since 2005 – and argues that we must turn this around to improve economic growth.

Darllen mwy

22 Rhagfyr 2025

From confusion to clarity: rethinking England’s 670 occupational standards

L&W’s Stephen Evans and Pearson’s Donna Ford-Clarke reflect on findings from our recent research on England’s occupational standards – of which there are now more than double the number in countries like Germany and Switzerland.

Darllen mwy

16 Rhagfyr 2025

Labour Market Briefing: December 2025

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 16 December 2025.

Darllen mwy