Select Committee · Education Committee

Adult skills and lifelong learning

Status: Closed Opened: 26 Mar 2020 Closed: 22 Jun 2021 33 recommendations 12 conclusions 1 report

The Education Committee is relaunching their inquiry into adult skills and lifelong learning (ASALL). The Committee's inquiry will examine the state of adult skills and lifelong learning (ASALL) provision. The inquiry will explore key themes such as participation in ASALL, the balance and range of different forms of provision, and the role of employer-led training. … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third report - A plan for an adult skills and lifelong lear… HC 278 19 Dec 2020 45 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
15 Conclusion Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

Adult enrolments on full level 2 courses have fallen by 87% between 2012–13 and 2017–18.

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. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's response, despite stating "Accept," discusses existing childcare support for students and working families, which does not address the committee's observation about declining adult enrolments on full level 2 courses.
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Department for Education
16 Recommendation Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

The Department should remove funding restrictions for first full level 2 qualifications, restoring funding for...

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. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses its commitment to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision and related funding, but does not address the recommendation to remove funding restrictions for level 2 qualifications for employed adults over 24 or to fund a promotional campaign for adult …
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Department for Education
17 Conclusion Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

Qualifications at level 3 have economic and labour market benefits for adults.

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses its commitment to boosting English language teaching for migrants and existing funding, which does not address the committee's observation about the scope of free level 3 qualifications and the need for retraining.
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Department for Education
18 Recommendation Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

The Department should extend the entitlement to a free level 3 qualification further, so that...

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 AI summary
The government's response discusses its commitment to boosting English language teaching for migrants and existing funding, which does not address the recommendation to extend free level 3 qualifications for unemployed adults to retrain in priority skills sectors.
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Department for Education
19 Recommendation Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

Local enterprise partnerships, working with local and combined authorities, should be able to add to...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government discusses its commitment to boosting English language teaching for migrants and existing funding for this, which is entirely unrelated to the recommendation for local bodies to influence funded Level 3 qualifications based on local labour market needs.
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Department for Education
20 Conclusion Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

We are concerned that the ambition of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee could be thwarted if...

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 AI summary
The government's response discusses its commitment to boosting English language teaching and existing funding, which does not address the committee's concern regarding potential poor take-up of the expanded Level 3 entitlement under the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
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Department for Education
21 Recommendation Third report - A plan for an adult skil… Not Addressed

We recommend the Department fund a national promotional campaign to ensure all eligible adults are...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government discusses its commitment to boosting English language teaching for migrants and existing funding for this, but does not address the recommendation for a national promotional campaign for all free learning or DWP support for unemployed adults taking advanced skills qualifications.
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Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
29 Sep 2020 Gillian Keegan · Department for Education View ↗
22 Sep 2020 Dr Sue Pember · HOLEX, Ian Murray · Trade Union Congress, Joe Fizsimons · Institute of Directors, Matthew Percival · Confederation of British Industry, Professor Josie Fraser · The Open University, Simon Parkinson · Workers’ Education Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

7 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Dr Sue Pember · Director of Policy and External Relations HOLEX 1
Gillian Keegan · Secretary of State Department for Education 1
Ian Murray · Senior Policy Officer Trade Union Congress 1
Joe Fizsimons · Head of Education and Skills Policy Institute of Directors 1
Matthew Percival · Director for People and Skills Confederation of British Industry 1
Professor Josie Fraser · Deputy Vice Chancellor The Open University 1
Simon Parkinson · Chief Executive Workers’ Education Association 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
3 Nov 2020 To cttee Letter from the Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, follow…