Recommendations & Conclusions
45 items
1
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The benefits of adult skills and lifelong learning are well-evidenced and include benefits for productivity and the economy, for health and wellbeing, and for social justice and communities. To respond to the significant challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an ageing workforce, the skills gap, and the devastating impact …
Government response. The Government recognises the economic, social, and wellbeing benefits of lifelong learning outlined in the Committee report, and in September 2020 the Prime Minister announced the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which will help adults develop new skills and find new opportunities …
Department for Education
2
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Government must commission analysis to identify where the nation’s immediate and longer-term skills needs lie. This should be regularly updated, as real-time labour markets data is essential for ensuring that reforms to adult skills and lifelong learning are properly linked to skills needs. (Paragraph 10) The need for a …
Government response. We are already undertaking analysis through numerous means to help determine immediate and longer-term skills needs. As announced in September 2020, the new Skills and Productivity Board will provide expert analysis of national skills needs to inform government policy. The …
Department for Education
3
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Government policy on adult skills and lifelong learning has tended to be short- term, piecemeal, and initiative-led. The result has been a substantial churn of adult education initiatives which has worked against the implementation of a coherent, long-term strategic vision for adult education. Adult skills and lifelong learning is a …
Government response. 17. In July 2020, the Secretary of State for Education said there needed to be a major shift in how we treat FE as it is vital if we want our country to grow economically and our productivity to improve. …
Department for Education
4
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must set out an ambitious, long-term strategy for adult skills and lifelong learning. This must be a comprehensive and holistic vision for ASALL in its entirety—piecemeal adjustments and one-off initiatives will not deliver the reform needed. These reforms must be underpinned by a shift to more flexible, modular …
Government response. 17. In July 2020, the Secretary of State for Education said there needed to be a major shift in how we treat FE as it is vital if we want our country to grow economically and our productivity to improve. …
Department for Education
5
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Adults need clear and impartial advice and support on learning and funding. The National Careers Service is limited and overly centralised, particularly given the extent to which ASALL provision is now devolved. A far more proactive approach to promoting and communicating statutory entitlements and local offers is needed. 38% of …
Government response. 22. Careers guidance is vital in helping to develop talents and opportunities for all, so that people have the skills they need and employers want post-Brexit and post-pandemic. 23. There are no plans to devolve careers budgets; all National Careers …
Department for Education
6
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must devolve National Careers Service funding to enable local and combined authorities and local enterprise partnerships to co-design and promote locally relevant information, advice and guidance. The National Careers Service should provide more robust data on employment and learning outcomes to enable adults to make more informed decisions …
Government response. 22. Careers guidance is vital in helping to develop talents and opportunities for all, so that people have the skills they need and employers want post-Brexit and post-pandemic. 23. There are no plans to devolve careers budgets; all National Careers …
Department for Education
7
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The ability to study bite-size modules rather than commit to full qualifications is a much-needed reform that will make it easier for adults to upskill and retrain. Developing qualifications that can be taken in modules will enable adults with busy working lives and caring responsibilities to build up qualifications over …
Government response. 28. The Government recognises the value of flexible and modular learning and in addition to the increased flexibility of the HE loans that are noted in the Committee report, we are incorporating this into many of the provisions available to …
Department for Education
8
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend the Department work with the relevant sector bodies to develop a modular offer for skills qualifications at all levels. This should be linked to those qualifications and courses which meet the skills needs of the nation. The Department must also work with the sector to devise a funding …
Government response. 28. The Government recognises the value of flexible and modular learning and in addition to the increased flexibility of the HE loans that are noted in the Committee report, we are incorporating this into many of the provisions available to …
Department for Education
9
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Adult skills funding has fallen by 45% in real terms between 2009–10 and 2017–18. The consequence of this decline is that the nation’s adult skills and lifelong learning system is in poor shape to tackle the pressing challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an ageing workforce, skills gaps and the …
Government response. 35. We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the AEB (£1.34bn in 2020/21). 36. Currently, approximately 50% of the AEB is devolved to 7 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Mayor of London, acting …
Department for Education
10
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
For its 2021 Spending Review bid, the Department must properly cost what level of Adult Education Budget increase is needed to meet the urgent and overdue reforms we set out in this report. An ambitious, long-term strategy for adult education will require an ambitious funding settlement. The Department must prepare …
Government response. We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the AEB (£1.34bn in 2020/21). Currently, approximately 50% of the AEB is devolved to 7 Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate …
Department for Education
11
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must review funding for adult skills and lifelong learning to see how the various funding streams can be consolidated and made more streamlined and less bureaucratic for providers. (Paragraph 34) A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 49
Government response. Overall, as part of the Skills for Jobs White Paper, we outline our ambitions for a simplified and better targeted funding system. We want to create a simpler funding system that gives individuals access to high-quality education and training throughout …
Department for Education
12
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We believe that there is a place for a rigorously designed and independently overseen Individual Learning Accounts scheme funded through the new National Skills Fund. This would put purchasing power into the hands of the individual, enabling adults to take control over their learning and skills pathways. The pilot or …
Government response. In his speech on 29 September 2020, the Prime Minister announced plans to introduce a Lifelong Loan Entitlement as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. As set out in the ‘Skills for jobs: lifelong learning for opportunity and growth’ White …
Department for Education
13
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend that the Government develop Individual Learning Accounts, drawing on the lessons learnt previously. These should be funded through the National Skills Fund, and initially should be aimed at unemployed adults and adults in work earning a low wage.
Government response. In his speech on 29 September 2020, the Prime Minister announced plans to introduce a Lifelong Loan Entitlement as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. As set out in the ‘Skills for jobs: lifelong learning for opportunity and growth’ White …
Department for Education
14
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department should provide additional funding for the digital skills entitlement, and should ensure that any future statutory entitlements coming out of the Adult Education Budget are properly costed and funded. This should be clearly linked to forecast participation levels.
Government response. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting those …
Department for Education
15
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Adult enrolments on full level 2 courses have fallen by 87% between 2012–13 and 2017–18. Over six million working adults do not have a level 2 qualification. Without the foundation provided by level 2 qualifications, higher level skills and higher pay will be out of reach for many.
Government response. Accept. 71. Currently, students attending full-time courses can apply for support towards their childcare costs as the requirement to study on a full-time basis means that they will have less scope to make alternative arrangements to fund these costs e.g. …
Department for Education
16
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department should remove funding restrictions for first full level 2 qualifications, restoring funding for adults who are over 24 and employed. The Department must fund a promotional campaign to ensure no adult remains unaware of what qualifications and funding they are entitled to.
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
17
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Qualifications at level 3 have economic and labour market benefits for adults. Level 3 qualifications are also a key stepping-stone to higher level study. We are pleased that the Department has announced an expansion to the level 3 entitlement, so that from April, adults of any age without a level …
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
18
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department should extend the entitlement to a free level 3 qualification further, so that unemployed adults who already have a level 3 are fully funded to retrain at level 3 in priority skills sectors.
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
19
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Local enterprise partnerships, working with local and combined authorities, should be able to add to the Department’s list of fully funded level 3 qualifications, where that qualification meets local or regional labour market needs. The range of adult education courses should take into account local and regional adult education needs …
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
20
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We are concerned that the ambition of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee could be thwarted if take-up of the expanded level 3 entitlement is poor. (Paragraph 54) 50 A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
21
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend the Department fund a national promotional campaign to ensure all eligible adults are aware of the free learning they are entitled to. The Department should work with the sector to identify innovative ways to support adults to take up the new entitlement, such as incorporating accreditation of prior …
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
22
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision can be transformational for adults. Unfortunately, we heard evidence of long waiting lists and demand outstripping supply. And despite the critical importance of ESOL, Adult Education Budget funding for ESOL fell by 56% between 2009–10 and 2016–17, with participation following a similar …
Government response. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as …
Department for Education
23
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department’s lifelong learning strategy must include an ESOL element. The Department should take a lead role for adult ESOL strategy to ensure a more joined up approach to cross-Department ESOL funding and objectives. The Department must undertake analysis to assess current and longer-term demand for adult ESOL provision. Additional …
Government response. 64. This government remains committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society, as we know that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, …
Department for Education
24
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
More needs to be done to support adult learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There are opportunities including supported internships and apprenticeships, and community learning provision. But these opportunities are limited, and support funding is insufficient.
Government response. 67. The AEB funds colleges and providers to help adult learners to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning. This includes Learning Support, to meet the additional needs of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. 68. We …
Department for Education
25
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department should work with the sector to assess what additional funding is needed to better support adult learners with SEND. The Department should then introduce a funding premium for adult learners with SEND to ensure there is fully inclusive, accessible provision at all levels.
Government response. 67. The AEB funds colleges and providers to help adult learners to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning. This includes Learning Support, to meet the additional needs of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. 68. We …
Department for Education
26
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Childcare poses a barrier for parents and carers aspiring to upskill and retrain. More needs to be done to support parents and carers to participate in adult education.
Government response. 71. Currently, students attending full-time courses can apply for support towards their childcare costs as the requirement to study on a full-time basis means that they will have less scope to make alternative arrangements to fund these costs e.g. through …
Department for Education
27
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend that childcare grants and Parents’ Learning Allowance are made available to part-time learners studying for a Higher Education qualification. The Government should look at where childcare might be a barrier and extend the 30 hour per week universal offer to unemployed or low-income adult learners, where the lack …
Government response. 71. Currently, students attending full-time courses can apply for support towards their childcare costs as the requirement to study on a full-time basis means that they will have less scope to make alternative arrangements to fund these costs e.g. through …
Department for Education
28
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Community learning appears to have been largely overlooked by the Department. The Department does not have sufficient oversight of what data is available on A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 51 community learning. Nor are we confident that the Department has a good understanding of what …
Government response. 78. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting …
Department for Education
29
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must work with the adult education sector to develop a better understanding of what data exists on community learning and where any gaps might be. This should include mapping and regularly publishing data on how many community learning centres exist nationally and where they are located. The Department …
Government response. 78. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting …
Department for Education
30
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The community learning budget has been capped at an arbitrary level for ten years. Community learning funding is overly bureaucratic; an average community learning provider may have to negotiate up to ten different funding streams, all with different rules and outcomes. This places unnecessary strain on providers, and takes up …
Government response. 78. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting …
Department for Education
31
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must make the case for a three-year funding settlement for community learning at the next spending review. The Department should review and consolidate the many community learning funding streams to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy for providers. (Paragraph 83) Employer-led training
Government response. 78. The principal purpose of the AEB is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Community Learning plays a considerable role within AEB provision of supporting …
Department for Education
32
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Employer investment in training is in decline, with low paid, low skilled workers hardest hit by the decline. A skills tax credit to incentivise employers to invest in training for workers with no or low qualifications will help to revitalise employer- led training.
Government response. 84. As part of the current tax system, training expenditure for directors and employees can be claimed as a deduction when calculating taxable business profits, provided that it helps improve the skills and knowledge used in the business. Within the …
Department for Education
33
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Government must support employers to invest in the development of their workforces. The Government should introduce a skills tax credit, for employers who invest in training for workers. This should be tapered so that the tax credit is more generous to employers who provide training for employees with lower …
Government response. 84. As part of the current tax system, training expenditure for directors and employees can be claimed as a deduction when calculating taxable business profits, provided that it helps improve the skills and knowledge used in the business. Within the …
Department for Education
34
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Union Learning Fund is a crucial programme for delivering workplace training. It has a strong track record of proven effectiveness and should be treated in line with other training providers in both the public and private spheres. It has a vital focus on tackling disadvantage, upskilling low-skilled workers, and …
Government response. 89. The UK is facing a significant challenge on skills. The impact of covid-19 has compounded the already rapid rate of change of our economy and it is clear that we have a considerable skills gap. This needs to be …
Department for Education
35
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend that the Department reverse its decision to cease funding for the Union Learning Fund. To ensure public money is spent as equitably as possible, participation targets should be set mandating that Union Learning funds are split 50/50 between union members and non-union members. (Paragraph 96) Higher education
Government response. 89. The UK is facing a significant challenge on skills. The impact of covid-19 has compounded the already rapid rate of change of our economy and it is clear that we have a considerable skills gap. This needs to be …
Department for Education
36
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Part-time higher education student numbers have been decimated, and numbers of part-time learners from the most disadvantaged backgrounds fell by 42% between 2010 and 2015. Flexible part-time university study is a key route for delivering a highly skilled workforce and the Department needs to prioritise reforms that will restore the …
Government response. 93. The Department agrees that mature students need to study flexibly, and we have taken a number of steps over recent years to encourage more flexible learning, including greater support for part-time learners through up-front loans to meet the full …
Department for Education
37
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The Department must act to stem the decline in part-time higher education. Promoting access for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds must be a priority. Means-tested fee grants should be instated for part-time students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who study courses in priority skill areas. Maintenance support should …
Government response. 93. The Department agrees that mature students need to study flexibly, and we have taken a number of steps over recent years to encourage more flexible learning, including greater support for part-time learners through up-front loans to meet the full …
Department for Education
38
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Degree apprenticeships are crucial to boosting the productivity of this country, providing an important route to higher education qualifications and bringing more students from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education.
Government response. 99. Higher, level 6 plus and degree apprenticeships are an important part of our education and skills system, supporting productivity and driving social mobility by providing people of all backgrounds with a choice of high-value vocational training alongside traditional academic …
Department for Education
39
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
All higher education institutions should offer degree apprenticeships. The Department and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education should set out a plan for speeding up the expansion of degree apprenticeship provision in priority skill sectors.
Government response. 99. Higher, level 6 plus and degree apprenticeships are an important part of our education and skills system, supporting productivity and driving social mobility by providing people of all backgrounds with a choice of high-value vocational training alongside traditional academic …
Department for Education
40
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Current Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) funding restrictions are a barrier for adults seeking to reskill. Higher level skills at levels 4, 5 and 6 are key to unlocking productivity, and a relaxation of ELQ rules is a fundamental strand of a lifelong right to retrain.
Government response. 103. The Skills and Productivity Board has recently been established as an expert committee, tasked with providing independent, evidence-based advice to ministers at the Department for Education on matters relating to skills and their contribution to productivity. The board will …
Department for Education
41
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend that the Department identify courses at levels 4, 5 and 6 which meet the skills needs of the UK economy. Equivalent or Lower Qualification funding restrictions must then be removed for those courses. (Paragraph 108) Combined and local authorities
Government response. 103. The Skills and Productivity Board has recently been established as an expert committee, tasked with providing independent, evidence-based advice to ministers at the Department for Education on matters relating to skills and their contribution to productivity. The board will …
Department for Education
42
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
The new UK Shared Prosperity Fund offers an opportunity to improve on the design and administration of European Structural Investment Funds in relation to the funding of adult skills. Cross-government working will be critical to delivering the cross-cutting agenda this funding supports. We expect the Department to take a far …
Government response. 109. Following EU exit, the Government has committed to replacing European Structural Funds via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). To help local areas prepare over 2021– 22 for the introduction of the UKSPF, the government will provide an additional …
Department for Education
43
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Funding for the education and skills and employability strands of the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund must at least match those of their predecessor funds, and no region A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 53 should be worse off. Government must involve local and combined authorities …
Government response. 109. Following EU exit, the Government has committed to replacing European Structural Funds via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). To help local areas prepare over 2021– 22 for the introduction of the UKSPF, the government will provide an additional …
Department for Education
44
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Devolution of the Adult Education Budget has enabled Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop locally responsive adult skills strategies. We heard that devolution should go further. The benefits of skills devolution should not be confined purely to those areas that happen to have a Mayoral Combined Authority. Devolution of adult skills …
Government response. 115. We recognise that local areas have a role to play in mapping, commissioning and delivering adult skills and lifelong learning. We have taken the approach to do this in respect of MCAs/GLA by devolving the AEB. The Department recognises …
Department for Education
45
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
We recommend that local authorities are awarded powers and funding to take on an enhanced statutory role for mapping, commissioning and delivering adult skills and lifelong learning. The Department must carry out a comprehensive review of the powers and funding needed for local authorities to take on this role. (Paragraph …
Government response. 115. We recognise that local areas have a role to play in mapping, commissioning and delivering adult skills and lifelong learning. We have taken the approach to do this in respect of MCAs/GLA by devolving the AEB. The Department recognises …
Department for Education