Deanna Hughes and Carl Hill, Healthy Working Wales
Learning is something that continues throughout our lives. Whether it is developing skills for work, improving digital confidence, learning from colleagues or exploring a new interest, every learning experience can contribute to our personal and professional development.
As we celebrate Adult Learners’ Week 2026 (21 to 27 September), it is an opportunity to recognise the value of lifelong learning and the positive impact it can have on health, wellbeing and resilience.
Lifelong learning is often associated with qualifications and career progression, but its benefits extend much further. Learning can increase confidence, provide a sense of achievement and help people feel more connected to others. It can also support mental wellbeing by creating opportunities for growth, purpose and self-development.
Learning can be particularly valuable during periods of change. Whether adapting to a new role, embracing new technology or managing changes in life circumstances, developing new knowledge and skills can help people feel more capable and prepared. Even a small step, such as attending a webinar, taking part in a workshop or learning a new skill from a colleague, can build confidence and encourage further development.
The workplace has an important role to play in supporting lifelong learning. For many adults, work is where they spend a significant proportion of their time, yet barriers such as busy schedules, shift patterns, caring responsibilities or a lack of confidence can make learning opportunities difficult to access.
By embedding learning into everyday working life, employers can help remove these barriers and create environments where people are supported to grow and develop. This can benefit both employees and organisations. Employees may feel more valued, engaged and confident, while organisations can strengthen skills, improve retention and build a more adaptable workforce.
What employers can do
Employers do not need large budgets or complex programmes to support learning. Small, practical actions can make a meaningful difference:
- Ask employees about their learning interests and development needs
- Include learning goals in regular one-to-one meetings and appraisals
- Offer a variety of opportunities, such as mentoring, peer learning, bite-sized training and webinars
- Provide flexibility and protected time for learning where possible
- Ensure opportunities are accessible to all employees, including shift workers, part-time staff and remote workers
- Recognise and celebrate learning achievements and encourage knowledge sharing across teams
At Healthy Working Wales, we recognise the importance of continuous learning and development. Through our free workshops, webinars, podcasts and e-learning resources, we support employers across Wales to create healthier, happier, more supportive workplaces where people can thrive.
This Adult Learners’ Week, consider what learning could mean for you, your colleagues or your organisation. Learning does not have to lead to a qualification to make a difference. Sometimes a single conversation, new skill or fresh perspective can be the first step towards greater confidence, improved wellbeing and increased resilience.
By valuing lifelong learning, we can help create healthier workplaces, support personal growth and enable people to adapt and succeed throughout their lives.
