In partnership with The Open University in Wales, Learning and Work Institute was pleased to present this year’s Annual Raymond Williams Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, KFSM, Chief Fire Officer, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Including Q&A with Vikki Howells, Minister for Further and Higher Education.

One of the most senior women in the fire service across the whole of the UK, Sabrina holds a PhD in Psychology and a number of honorary doctorates, including from The Open University. Her personal story – growing up in Newport, becoming homeless at 15, a firefighter at 18 and combining her frontline service with a passion for lifelong learning – is a clear demonstration of the power of adult learning in the face of life’s many challenges.

The Raymond Williams lecture is a prestigious opportunity to reflect on the life and work of Raymond Williams, particularly in the context of adult learning and its transformative potential. The lecture draws a large and well-informed audience of professionals from across civic society in Wales and beyond.

Raymond Williams was one of Wales’ and Europe’s greatest social thinkers, but his work presents as many paradoxes as possible solutions.

14 January 2026

Adult Learning Partnerships in Wales

Adult Community Learning (ACL) provides flexible learning opportunities for adults and families, delivered in venues in the community to meet local needs. There is an Adult Learning Partnership in every Local Authority area and a lead for adult community learning in each Local Authority and Further Education Institution.

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13 January 2026

Inspire! Adult Learning Awards

Nominations have opened for the 2026 Inspire! Adult Learning Awards. The annual awards are organised by Learning and Work Institute in partnership with the Welsh Government, and they celebrate the exceptional achievements of individuals and community projects in Wales that demonstrate outstanding passion, commitment, and drive to improve themselves and their community through lifelong learning.

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1 January 2026

Inspire! Tutor Awards

The annual Inspire! Tutor Awards recognise the valuable work of tutors and mentors in supporting lifelong learning across Wales. We are inviting nominations on behalf of outstanding individuals whose commitment, knowledge and teaching skills have given adults the confidence to engage with learning and transform their lives.

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17 December 2025

Motivations, Aspirations & Barriers to Adult Learning

This research was in partnership with the Learning and Work Institute Cymru to gain greater insight into adult learner experiences of further and higher education in Wales as this is largely a missing voice from the recent literature.

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3 December 2025

Family Learning

Family learning changes lives. Evidence shows that when learning opportunities for adults are linked to the education of children in the family, it builds motivation, confidence and a commitment to learning.

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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

Shine a light on the heroes of adult learning – celebrate the tutors who inspire, support, and transform lives every day.

Learning and Work Institute announces the launch of the Inspire! Tutor Awards 2026, celebrating the dedication, passion, and impact of adult learning tutors across Wales.

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10 October 2025

Never Stop Learning: Celebrating Success at This Year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards

Last month, Swansea came alive with celebration as we honoured the incredible achievements of adult learners at the awards ceremony. The room was filled with emotion, warmth, and powerful stories of perseverance and triumph. Each story is a shining example of the impact of lifelong learning as a catalyst for change that opens doors, builds confidence, and sparks real transformation.

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16 September 2025

It’s September, it’s back to school… and it’s Adult Learners’ Week. We’re putting family learning under the spotlight!

September has arrived, and my focus is on Adult Learners’ Week and coordinating a campaign with hundreds of partners across Wales. Together, we aim to encourage more adults to build their skills with confidence. We approach the campaign by identifying key partners to reach into communities and crafting messages that resonate with those who may have learned too early that education isn’t for them.

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