The days of a quiet summer seem to be in the past. The
Government is consulting on further education funding and accountability in England and the National Skills Fund. There’s some sensible ideas in both, in particular focusing more on the outcomes of learning holds potential. However, like simplification of funding, this is easier said than done.
Ultimately, we need to get to increased, multi-year funding that’s focused on outcomes and need. Look out for new research from us on how to get there.
We also published research supported by NOCN showing how, despite an endless carousel of new policies, employer investment in skills has fallen in recent years and is skewed toward the already-highly skilled. Our next report will look at how we can change that.
The good news is that there are brilliant learners, providers, tutors and employers who are making a difference. Our Festival of Learning awards offered a chance to celebrate those. There’ll be plenty to get involved with during our Lifelong Learning Week in November.
Meanwhile, restrictions are lifting / lifted across much of the UK. The labour market has bounced back as a result with employment up and furlough down as our bars,
restaurants and shops fill up again. There are still big challenges ahead: long-term unemployment is up 40%; some groups and areas remain harder hit than others; and many people remain on furlough ahead of the scheme shutting in September.
But this is a world away from the risks of Great Depression-levels of unemployment feared at the start of the pandemic. This is the result of a flexible labour market, the hard work of Jobcentre Plus and employment and skills professionals, and in particular the furlough scheme.
The focus now turns to the autumn. Will the economy continue to recover, or will the virus lead to further restrictions? Will the spending review restore cuts to adult education, invest in young people and extend employment support more widely, or will they lose out again in a new age of austerity?
Stephen Evans Chief Executive
Updates from L&W
Our evaluation of the CareerTech Challenge
How can great careers support be delivered at a scale that has a real impact on the labour market? This was a central question that drove the CareerTech Challenge, a partnership between Nesta, Nesta Challenges and the Department for Education which sought to stimulate the development of new tools for career navigation and uncover what works to help adults develop new skills and find good work.
Our report highlights what we’ve learned about supporting adults who are most vulnerable to workforce change to upskills and retrain online and looks at the innovation process.
Learning and Work Institute selected as finalists for British Council awards We are delighted to announce that our Volunteers, English Language Learning and Conversation Clubs guidance has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious ELTons awards for Innovation in English Language Teaching, in the local innovation category. The award winners will be announced at the ELTons Innovations Award ceremony on 4 October.
Supporting young adult carers into Further Education
The Driving Change in Further
Education project, run in partnership with Carers Federation, seeks to improve the support for young adult carers in colleges. Congratulations to the 26 colleges in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England that have achieved QSCS accreditation as part of their involvement in the project to date.
L&W are recruiting now for more colleges to take part in the final year of the project, which provides free and tailored guidance and one-to-one advice on how to improve support for young adult carers. If you are interested, please get in touch with Jackie Woodhouse, research manager at L&W.
Adult Learners’ Week – join our network of providers Adult Learners’ Week is set to take place 20 – 26 September in
Wales. Throughout September we want to work with providers across Wales to promote live taster sessions, courses and resources, celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning and to highlight stories of adult learners who have changed their story. Becoming a partner is easy – visit our website for more information.
Events
Webinar series: Effective practice in pre-apprenticeship programmes
Learning and Work Institute is running a series of webinars to support the dissemination and exchange of knowledge on effective practice in pre-apprenticeships. The interactive webinars will offer training and insight to providers about how to develop key aspects of pre-apprenticeship provision to secure positive outcomes for young people. Find out more and register for each of the below events here.
Project based learning in pre-apprenticeship programmes Tuesday 7 September | 14:00 – 15:30 This webinar will provide practical advice on developing an evaluation approach, collecting and interpreting data and using evidence to inform decision-making about your pre-apprenticeship.
Blended learning on pre-apprenticeships Wednesday 6 October | 14:00 – 15:30 This webinar will provide practical advice on developing an evaluation approach, collecting and interpreting data and using evidence to inform decision-making about your pre-apprenticeship.
Future events
We’re planning major online conferences during the Autumn, including a Better Work Summit and a Youth Employment and Skills Summit. If you’d like to partner with us on these events, please contact Roisin Sheehy and look out for more details coming soon....
