The Institute for Employment Research (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung – IAB) is Department V of the Federal Employment Services head office (Bundesanstalt für Arbeit - BA), and was founded in 1967. One goal of its research is to provide information to assist individuals in choosing a training programme, career of job. Another is to aid government decisionmakers in conceiving, implementing and monitoring labour market and employment policies.

The institute is operated on an interdisciplinary basis, involving such fields as economics, business administration, engineering sciences, analytical statistics, sociology and political science. It gathers results of research on business, academic education and vocational training, occupational pedagogy, vocational studies and futuristics. In its research it primarily uses methods derived from economics and social studies, including mathematical and statistical techniques for data analysis. It draws upon data from both official and unofficial sources of statistics on the economy, the labour market, social matters and education, as well as data obtained directly from gainfully employed individuals and businesses.

Research activity is co-ordinated with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the results are presented to the Ministry. Regular, prompt, complete publication of reports on the results in a variety of periodicals ensures that the research is made available to the public.