Adult Learners’ Week is a national moment to celebrate the power of lifelong learning — but celebration is not enough.
If we want more adults to start, stay and progress in learning, we must listen to what adult learners are telling us and use those insights to shape policy, funding and delivery.
We’ve heard from learners through the stories of our Inspire! Award Winners and through the Learner Forum pilot we facilitated for Medr in June and that’s why at Learning and Work Institute (L&W) we’ve supported the development of the Learner Engagement Tool for Adult Community Learning.
Adult learning is not simply a route to qualifications. Learners described confidence, connection, friendship, wellbeing, practical skills, employability and a renewed sense of purpose.
Some were returning after negative school experiences, bereavement, poor mental health, isolation or major life changes. Others wanted to support their families, improve their English or Welsh, progress in work, volunteer or stay connected to their communities.
Lifelong learning is the foundation of a stronger, fairer skills system. Access to learning opportunities shapes whether adults can move into work, participate in community life, improve their health and wellbeing, support their children’s learning and adapt to economic change.
Lifelong learning is the foundation of a stronger, fairer skills system. Access to learning opportunities shapes whether adults can move into work, participate in community life, improve their health and wellbeing, support their children’s learning and adapt to economic change.
Adult Learners’ Week rightly puts these stories in the spotlight, and we now need to do more to ensure that doors open for all and pathways take people where they want to go.
Learners were clear about what makes provision work: welcoming tutors, small and supportive groups, trusted local venues, affordable courses, flexible times that suit busy lives and importantly learning opportunities that are more visible in communities and promoted in a way that reaches them.
Adult Learners’ Week also shows the power of partnership. The campaign brings together courses, tasters, open days, advice and learner stories across Wales, with a clear focus on helping adults take a first step into learning. That visibility matters.
Adult learners are partners in designing a lifelong learning system that works. This Adult Learners’ Week, we should celebrate their achievements — and act on their evidence.
Listening to learners is one of the most practical tools we have to build provision that is inclusive, responsive and capable of changing lives, families and communities.
