The Career Tech Challenge looked at supporting the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers, including those in low pay or insecure work. We’ve been conducting research with the finalists to explore the process of building data-driven solutions. This report explores the findings and highlights how the CareerTech Challenge innovators used labour market data to support adults to plan for their future career.

The CareerTech Challenge, launched in 2019 by Nesta and Nesta Challenges in partnership with the Department for Education, aimed to support the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers. Out of the 31 innovators supported by the CareerTech Challenge, 20 of these  focused on developing digital solutions that connect people with data-driven information, advice and guidance to help them navigate the labour market.

Solutions aimed to help users identify their own skills, and the skills needed for a rapidly changing labour market; identify jobs available in local areas; and provide pathways to prepare for and secure new, future-proof roles. Learning and Work Institute conducted research with the 20 innovators to explore the process of building these data-driven solutions. This final report shares key findings on:

  • Identifying, accessing and analysing existing labour market data
  • Developing new and experimental data
  • Translating and communicating labour market data

13 Mawrth 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.

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13 Mawrth 2026

UK’s training and skills ‘tick-box culture’ puts at risk job mobility and future growth, new report warns

New analysis has identified an overreliance on mandatory and compliance training in UK workplaces compared to other countries – at the expense of more in-depth upskilling required for the jobs of the future.

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2 Mawrth 2026

When it comes to lifelong learning, are we any closer to the College of the Future?

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, reflects on the role of colleges in providing adults with opportunity and agency throughout their lives.

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2 Mawrth 2026

Why adult education is an investment, not a cost

David Hughes, CEO at the Association of Colleges, sets out why a well-funded, high-quality adult education system is beneficial to society and the economy.

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22 Rhagfyr 2025

From confusion to clarity: rethinking England’s 670 occupational standards

L&W’s Stephen Evans and Pearson’s Donna Ford-Clarke reflect on findings from our recent research on England’s occupational standards – of which there are now more than double the number in countries like Germany and Switzerland.

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7 Tachwedd 2025

No train no gain

This research, supported by Multiverse, finds that access to training is a boon for people’s pay and careers. The training dividend is greatest for those on the lower rungs of the occupational ladder, helping them go further, faster.

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7 Tachwedd 2025

Spotlight on Newport: Place within a Place

Ufi VocTech Trust, in partnership with Adult Learning Wales, Newport City Council and Learning and Work Institute, have launched an innovative place-based collaboration to integrate education and skills development opportunities within the communities of East Newport.

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7 Tachwedd 2025

Working class people paid more when they get training from their employer

Experts are calling on the Government to do more to get employers investing in training, as research reveals it’s a “boon for people’s pay and careers” – particularly for working class people.

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5 Tachwedd 2025

Investing in skills: International policy insights for the UK

This report is the first in a series of three publications supported by the Nuffield Foundation that present the findings from multi-year research into employer investment in upskilling and reskilling in a changing economy.

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