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Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Employer Perspectives Survey (EPS) is a large scale survey of UK employers across all sectors of the economy and is part of a series of studies historically commissioned by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to provide robust and reliable labour market information. Following the closure of the UKCES ownership of the survey transferred to the Department for Education (DfE) in late 2016. The survey provides a UK-wide picture of how employers are meeting their skills needs, looking both at their engagement with skills and employment services and broader approaches to people development. The Employer Perspectives Survey is a key customer insight tool for colleges, universities, schools and other providers looking to understand how employers view and engage with the skills system. The Employer Perspectives Survey is intended to complement the Employer Skills Survey series, which focuses on employer skills demand, skills shortages and training within organisations; the two surveys run in alternate years. The Employer Perspectives Survey, 2016: Special Licence Access was conducted between May and August 2016, and captured the views of over 18,000 employers across the United Kingdom. Interviews were conducted at an establishment level with the most senior person at the site with responsibility for human resources. Prior to the 2016 EPS, a statistical review of the sampling strategy was conducted to weigh up the relative merits of different approaches to the sampling; this was independent of both UKCES and IFF Research. While this review confirmed the previous approach to sampling had been sufficiently robust, it led to a series of recommendations that would enhance the statistical rigour of the 2016 sampling strategy. Moreover, the EPS questionnaire underwent a comprehensive review for 2016 to ensure its relevance for key stakeholders and to reflect changing policy needs. A set...