Lifelong learning
3 November 2025
Post-pandemic leap in lifelong learning appears over, as national survey finds freefalling participation rates
Experts are warning of a “workforce learning slowdown” as the long-running Adult Participation in Learning Survey records a sharp contraction in the number of adults learning nationally.
3 November 2025
Adult Participation in Learning Survey
Our survey series, which began in 1996, provides a unique overview of how many adults take part in learning, their reasons for doing so or not doing so, and how this varies by group and area.
21 October 2025
Responding to the post-16 education and skills white paper
Learning and Work Institute's chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the post-16 education and skills white paper published on Monday 20 October 2025.
8 October 2025
Restoring adult skills attainment to 2010 levels could boost the economy by £22 billion
A new report from Learning and Work Institute calls for sustained action to reverse over a decade of decline in adult literacy and numeracy skills as well as learning to GCSE and A level equivalent – with an economic prize of £22 billion at stake.
8 October 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.
17 September 2025
Development and use of occupational standards
Commissioned by Pearson, this report explores whether the current development and use of occupational standards are keeping pace with the changing needs of the economy.
17 September 2025
Report calls for overhaul of ‘unwieldy’ occupational standards to keep pace with the UK’s Industrial Strategy
A new report from Learning and Work Institute warns that England’s occupational standards lack the agility to train up workers for the eight ‘growth-driving’ industries in the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
10 August 2025
Responding to the Department for Education’s announcement on Technical Excellence Colleges
Learning and Work Institute's chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the Department for Education's announcement on Technical Excellence Colleges.
24 July 2025
Responding to the latest skills survey data from the Department for Education
L&W's chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest skills survey data from the Department for Education.
28 May 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.
