The Career Tech Challenge looked at supporting the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers, including those in low pay or insecure work. We’ve been conducting research with the finalists to explore the process of building data-driven solutions. This report explores the findings and highlights how the CareerTech Challenge innovators used labour market data to support adults to plan for their future career.

The CareerTech Challenge, launched in 2019 by Nesta and Nesta Challenges in partnership with the Department for Education, aimed to support the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers. Out of the 31 innovators supported by the CareerTech Challenge, 20 of these  focused on developing digital solutions that connect people with data-driven information, advice and guidance to help them navigate the labour market.

Solutions aimed to help users identify their own skills, and the skills needed for a rapidly changing labour market; identify jobs available in local areas; and provide pathways to prepare for and secure new, future-proof roles. Learning and Work Institute conducted research with the 20 innovators to explore the process of building these data-driven solutions. This final report shares key findings on:

  • Identifying, accessing and analysing existing labour market data
  • Developing new and experimental data
  • Translating and communicating labour market data

22 December 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.

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7 November 2025

No train no gain

This research, supported by Multiverse, finds that access to training is a boon for people’s pay and careers. The training dividend is greatest for those on the lower rungs of the occupational ladder, helping them go further, faster.

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7 November 2025

Spotlight on Newport: Place within a Place

Ufi VocTech Trust, in partnership with Adult Learning Wales, Newport City Council and Learning and Work Institute, have launched an innovative place-based collaboration to integrate education and skills development opportunities within the communities of East Newport.

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7 November 2025

Working class people paid more when they get training from their employer

Experts are calling on the Government to do more to get employers investing in training, as research reveals it’s a “boon for people’s pay and careers” – particularly for working class people.

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5 November 2025

Responding to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review

Learning and Work Institute’s Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

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4 November 2025

Manchester City Council, BBC Studios and former Chancellor Ed Balls all celebrated at the Get the Nation Learning awards

Manchester City Council, BBC Studios Drama and Ed Balls have all picked up trophies in a striking ceremony held at the Barbican to celebrate the first-ever Get the Nation Learning Awards.

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4 November 2025

Get the Nation Learning

Our campaign for lifelong learning. Because when adults learn, our society and economy thrive.

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3 November 2025

The workforce learning slowdown? Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2025

For nearly 30 years, the Adult Participation in Learning Survey has provided a unique insight into adult learning across the UK. It adopts a deliberately broad definition of learning. Discover our findings from 2025.

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3 November 2025

Post-pandemic leap in lifelong learning appears over, as national survey finds freefalling participation rates

Experts are warning of a “workforce learning slowdown” as the long-running Adult Participation in Learning Survey records a sharp contraction in the number of adults learning nationally.

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