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Alex Stevenson

Deputy Director

Alex is L&W’s strategic lead on essential skills, overseeing policy and research in areas such as adult skills devolution, adult literacy and numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and learning in communities. He leads L&W’s international work, and is currently an executive board member at the European Association for the Education of Adults and an Executive Committee member at the European Basic Skills Network. At L&W, Alex has delivered policy research and advice to central government on essential skills policy and practice, and has led national development projects producing resources to support the ESOL sector on behalf of the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Home Office. He has worked extensively with Mayoral Combined Authorities, delivering research, stakeholder engagement and evaluations on various adult skills programmes. Before joining L&W, Alex taught, managed and developed adult basic skills and ESOL provision for over 13 years, variously working in FE colleges, a local authority adult education service and for an independent training provider.
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Take a look at Alex’s work

8 September 2025

International Literacy Day 2025: (It’s still) time for action

Marking International Literacy Day 2025, L&W Deputy Director Alex Stevenson reflects again on the state of play on adult literacy. Spoiler alert – the positives are harder to see.

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11 December 2024

Review of English language acquisition in the West Midlands

This research for the West Midlands Combined Authority explored how adults can be supported to progress in English language learning and how strategic partnerships can contribute to improved outcomes for learners.

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16 November 2024

Older people and essential skills

This research for Age UK explores older adults’ (aged 50 and over) experiences of essential skills and what support is needed to help them improve their skills and thrive in later life.

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5 September 2024

International Literacy Day 2024: Time for action

Ahead of International Literacy Day on 8 September 2024, Alex Stevenson, L&W Deputy Director, sets out why it’s time for action on adult literacy.

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11 March 2024

ESOL provision in the South East of England: Understanding local capacity

Using funding from the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) engaged Learning and Work Institute to deliver an ESOL capacity building programme in the South East of England.

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12 January 2024

Supporting London’s Migrant Communities through the Adult Education Budget

The GLA has introduced flexibilities to make adult education more accessible to migrant communities. This research explores the impact of these changes.

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9 May 2023

Effective practice in English and maths for adult learners in London

This report, commissioned by the GLA, seeks to better understand these barriers and recommends how providers can better reach more Londoners, ensure achievement and progression in English and maths, and deliver improved outcomes for learners.

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23 March 2023

Evidence review: What works to improve adult basic skills?

Identifies the most effective approaches to developing adult basic skills and, where possible, their cost-effectiveness. A number of interlinked issues are also considered within the context of delivering basic skills programmes.

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27 May 2022

Local learning: Place-based insight on what works to drive up essential skills participation

L&W has investigated innovative, place-based interventions in three areas where participation in essential skills learning declined the most to look at what works at a local level to engage learners in essential skills learning.

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