This report sets out the results of work undertaken by Learning and Work Institute in 2017/18 to develop and test the use of social metrics in Adult Community Learning provision to capture a range of wider outcomes of learning.
The report highlights lessons learned, examples of effective practice and suggests ways in which the use of social metrics in adult learning provision might be developed in future. It also features case studies of providers’ experiences in embedding social metrics in adult learning provision.
8 September 2026
Adult Skills Fund spending on English and Maths, 2016–24
This briefing explores the trends in investment in adult (19+) English and maths provision in England in the first five years of Adult Skills Fund devolution between 2019/20 and 2023/24.
7 September 2026
UK must make training the ‘go-to’ response to skills needs, or risk holding back growth, new report warns
The Government’s plans to get the economy growing risk falling short unless it takes action to reverse sharp falls in the training employees get at work, new analysis warns.
7 September 2026
Understanding employer investment in skills
This is the third and final report of our project funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at employer investment in skills, and how employees are responding to the need to upskill and retrain in a transitioning economy.
23 June 2026
VocTech Challenge: Skills for an Economy in Transition
The VocTech Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of technology to help every adult in the UK get the skills they need to participate and benefit from our transitioning.
29 May 2026
Multiply adult numeracy randomised controlled trials
Alongside Ipsos and other partners, L&W has conducted Randomised Control Trials to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and new interventions to improving adult numeracy.
29 May 2026
I found my voice through lifelong learning – others deserve the same chance
Ed Balls, Former Cabinet Minister and Shadow Chancellor, sets out why lifelong learning is vital for the country.
1 May 2026
Driving Change in Higher Education
Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher education.
19 March 2026
ESOL provision for 16–19-year-olds
Learning and Work Institute (L&W) was commissioned by the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) and funded by MHCLG, to research availability, challenges and opportunities in ESOL provision for 16-19‑year‑olds across the South East.
13 March 2026
Training and skills needs: Trends and challenges in UK growth sectors
This report, the second in a series of publications funded by Nuffield Foundation, explores the level of estimated skills needs in UK businesses alongside the level and type of training that employers provide.
