This webinar reflected on the results of OECD’s Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), published on 10 December.

PIAAC is designed to assess working-age adults’ (16-65) numeracy, literacy and digital skills, and collects data from 24 countries. It aims to use the data to help countries develop new ways to improve essential skills levels of the working age population. The first results were released in more than a decade ago in 2013. The results for England back then showed an estimated nine million working-age adults have low essential skills.

This webinar began with a short presentation of the key findings from the survey, before our panel considered the implications for essential skills policy making and practice and how adult skills commissioners, providers and employers can respond.

Speakers included:

  • Emily Jones, Deputy Director, Learning and Work Institute (Chair)
  • Rebecca Wheater, Research Director – International Large Scale Assessments, NFER
  • Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills, OECD
  • Sarah Waite, Chief Executive and Founder, Get Further
  • Jamie Cater, Senior Policy Manager, Make UK
  • Alex Stevenson, Deputy Director, Learning and Work Institute

8 Rhagfyr 2025

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets London learners at an event for adults’ access to essential skills learning

On Wednesday 3 December, Learning and Work Institute was delighted to welcome their patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to an event in London about essential skills for learning and life, like literacy, numeracy and digital.

Darllen mwy

8 Hydref 2025

Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century

‘Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century’ is the final report produced as part of our Ambition Skills programme of work. It finds that achieving world-class skills could boost the economy by £22 billion.

Darllen mwy

8 Medi 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.

Darllen mwy

28 Mai 2025

Channel 4, Make UK and the National Housing Federation join new campaign to “get the nation learning”

A coalition of organisations including broadcaster Channel 4, manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, and the National Housing Federation have pledged to “get the nation learning” as a new report demonstrates that when adults learn, our society and economy thrive.

Darllen mwy

16 Mai 2025

New expert group calls for strengthened resit policy and reversal of English and maths study requirement for adult apprentices

A new coalition of teaching and policy experts, including L&W, is calling on the Government to aim for at least 90% of 19-year-olds to achieve Level 2 English and maths by 2030.

Darllen mwy

11 Chwefror 2025

Responding to the Government’s apprenticeship reforms

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the apprenticeship reforms announced by the Government on 11 February 2025.

Darllen mwy

6 Ionawr 2025

Skills inequalities are larger in the UK than in other countries and are holding back growth, new report warns

New research from L&W finds the UK has larger gaps in workforce skills between different parts of the country than most other European countries.

Darllen mwy

11 Rhagfyr 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.

Darllen mwy

10 Rhagfyr 2024

Responding to the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the findings of the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) on 10 December 2024.

Darllen mwy