Lifelong Learning Labs: Good Work

Would more people enjoy better working conditions with increased investment in adult learning?

Adult learning often connects to entering the workforce. The adult skills budget recently moved to the Department for Work & Pensions.

But are learning opportunities available for everyone? Can all individuals move into work through these courses?

Training often benefits those in higher positions with prior qualifications

Similarly, What about those needing extra help to meet employers' technical skill needs? And what about those already in low-paid, insecure jobs?

Access to training varies across the workforce.

Besides enforcement, can employees learn more about their rights? Can they challenge poor practices, often with union support?

🔬 TUC analysis of labour market data shows 4 million people in 2024 were in insecure work which amounts to one in eight of the workforce
🧬 The proportion of UK employees who were trade union members fell to 22.0% in 2024, down from 22.4% in 2023: the lowest union membership rate on record
🔬 ONS data tells us the number of jobs paid below the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage is estimated to be 447,000, or 1.6%
🧬 Government data shows around 6.5% of the working population have no formal qualifications

Two colleagues in a warehouse sit next to a computer

What do you think?

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning.

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Is there enough support for people in low paid or insecure work in the UK?
🧪 Do you feel like you know your rights as an employee if you are currently in work (or when you were last in work)?
🧪 Where would you go if you needed to find out more about your employment rights?
🧪 How can employers be encouraged or enabled to offer more learning and development opportunities?
🧪 What type of skills do you think everyone in work should have: for example, do you feel that everyday essential skills such as literacy and numeracy are well supported?