Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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 of Covid-19, we need to make sure adults can upskill and retrain throughout their lives. Now more than ever there is a pressing need to ensure adult learners are equipped with the necessary skills and education to aid our economic recovery.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the economic, social, and wellbeing benefits of lifelong learning and references the existing Lifetime Skills Guarantee initiative to help adults develop new skills throughout their lives.
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Department for Education
11
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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
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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
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines its ambition for a simplified and better targeted funding system as part of the Skills for Jobs White Paper and states that a forthcoming consultation will explore how funding can be allocated in a simpler way.
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Department for Education
22
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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 trend. 2019 research commissioned by the Department for Education also found that 64% of providers stated their current level of funding was insufficient to meet demands for ESOL provision.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of English language teaching and its manifesto commitment to boost it, stating that substantial funding is already available through various provisions.
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Department for Education
23
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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 funding should then be allocated to areas with highest demand for ESOL provision.
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Government response AI summary
The government affirms its commitment to boosting English language teaching and highlights substantial existing funding and provision for ESOL. However, it does not commit to taking a lead role for a cross-departmental ESOL strategy, undertaking new demand analysis, or allocating additional targeted funding, stating an …
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Department for Education
24
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need to support adult learners with SEND, highlights existing provisions and general aims from the Skills for Jobs White Paper, and defers specific action to the ongoing cross-government SEND review and a call for evidence.
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Department for Education
26
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 AI summary
The government acknowledges childcare as a barrier and explains its current policy of providing childcare support for full-time students, but not part-time ones due to their study flexibility. It also outlines existing universal childcare offers and support via Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare.
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Department for Education
28
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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 provision exists nationally. The Department’s lack of strategic vision for community learning is concerning and suggests an underlying lack of insight into the benefits and value of community learning. An ambitious, long-term strategy for community learning provision and funding is needed.
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Government response AI summary
The government describes the purpose and existing structure of community learning, the data collected, and ongoing work with MHCLG, stating that funding beyond 2021-22 will be considered in a future Spending Review. However, it does not commit to developing the recommended ambitious, long-term strategy for …
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Department for Education
38
Conclusion
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of degree apprenticeships for productivity and social mobility, highlights existing provisions and their employer-driven nature, and encourages universities to offer more apprenticeships where there is demand.
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Department for Education
39
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of degree apprenticeships and notes existing provision. It encourages universities to offer them based on employer demand but does not commit to a plan for speeding up expansion or mandating all institutions to offer them.
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Department for Education
44
Recommendation
Third report - A plan for an adult skil…
Acknowledged
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 …
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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 should be considered for upper-tier authorities. With their knowledge of local communities, skills gaps and employer needs, local authorities are ideally placed to take on responsibility for mapping and commissioning adult skills and lifelong learning provision. With greater powers and sufficient funding, they could play a transformative role in ensuring every community has a truly local, place-based ASALL offer.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the role of local areas in adult skills and lifelong learning, highlighting existing devolution and committing to piloting Local Skills Improvement Plans in early 2021 and establishing a new Strategic Development Fund.
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Department for Education