A collection of essays examined challenges and successes in the adult learning sector. Key themes included: participation and equality, social movements, public policy, teaching and learning, and leadership.
Source: Jay Derrick et al., Remaking Adult Learning: Essays on adult education in honour of Alan Tuckett, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education/Institute of Education
Links: Summary | NIACE press release
Date: 2010-Dec
The European Union approved a 10-year strategy designed to improve the quality of vocational training in Europe by making it more attractive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the labour market.
Source: The Bruges Communique on Enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training for the Period 2011-2020, European Union
Links: Communique | EU press release | European Commission press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A new book advocated the development of a universal 'entitlement' to lifelong learning and the creation of a 'community chest' of resources to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to support increased lifelong learning for all citizens. It also called for businesses to accept their wider responsibilities as 'corporate citizens', and supported a greater role for trade unions in promoting citizenship and belonging through lifelong learning.
Source: Bob Fryer, Promises of Freedom: Citizenship, belonging and lifelong learning, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Links: Summary | NIACE press release
Date: 2010-Oct
The Scottish Government published an action plan designed to raise standards of literacy at all stages, from the early years to adulthood.
Source: Literacy Action Plan: An action plan to improve literacy in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Action plan | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2010-Oct
A report examined how adults identified as priority groups in the 'Skills for Life' strategy (launched in 2001) were improving their language, literacy, and numeracy skills. Skills for Life was found to be having an impact on adults with the lowest skill levels, and many appeared to be using basic skills to progress to other courses.
Source: Anna Reisenberger et al., Engaging Homeless People, Black and Minority Ethnic and Other Priority Groups in Skills for Life, National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy/Institute of Education
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Oct
A survey for the inspectorate for education and children's services examined the benefits of employers' involvement in government-funded work-related education and training. It sought to identify the features of good practice and the ways in which provision could be further improved.
Source: Good Practice in Involving Employers in Work-Related Education and Training, HMI 090227, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report | OFSTED press release
Date: 2010-Oct
A new textbook examined contemporary issues and debates in the lifelong learning sector.
Source: Vicky Duckworth and Jonathan Tummons, Contemporary Issues in Lifelong Learning, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Oct
Two linked papers examined how museums, libraries, and archives could contribute to lifelong learning.
Source: Natasha Innocent, How Museums, Libraries and Archives Contribute to Lifelong Learning, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education | Tom Schuller, Co-Locating Colleges and Public Libraries, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Date: 2010-Sep
A report set out the case for trade union learning programmes. There was a distinct union vision for learning that combined: involvement with government; external accreditation and audit; and independence and democratic member choice.
Source: Tom Wilson, The Future for Union Learning, Unions 21
Links: Report | NIACE press release
Date: 2010-Sep
A report (published by an official advisory body) examined the challenges and potential of personal learning accounts.
Source: Steve Johnson, Richard Holt, Naz Khan, Mark Morrin and Szymon Sawicki, Personal Learning Accounts: Building on Lessons Learnt, UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Jul
The inspectorate for education and children's services highlighted the common factors that had led to high performance in the work of providers of work-based learning.
Source: Twelve Outstanding Providers of Work-Based Learning, HMI 100112, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
Links: Report | OFSTED press release
Date: 2010-Jul
A paper examined expenditure on lifelong learning, as well as models for funding.
Source: Jenny Williams, Stephen McNair and Fiona Aldridge, Expenditure and Funding Models in Lifelong Learning: A context paper, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Links: Report | NIACE press release
Date: 2010-Jul
A report assessed the impact of a union-supported learning programme. The projects were found to have had considerable impact on individuals, unions, and employers: this was despite barriers to maximizing their effectiveness, the biggest of which being securing time for learning from employers.
Source: Mark Stuart, Hugh Cook, Jo Cutter and Jonathan Winterton, Assessing the Impact of Union Learning and the Union Learning Fund: Union and employer perspectives, Policy Report 4, Centre for Employment Relations Innovation & Change/Leeds University Business School
Links: Report | TUC press release
Date: 2010-Apr
A paper reviewed research literature on the dynamics of learning throughout the life course: changing constellations of risk and opportunity in early childhood; the transitions from secondary, further, and higher education into employment; the opportunities for different groups of adult workers to engage in lifelong learning; and the changing fortunes of older people. The evidence pointed to the need to consider heterogeneity in life and work experiences, the need for more flexible and diversified life course models, and the need for broader definitions of 'successful' transitions and outcomes, taking into account variation in resources among different subgroups of the population.
Source: Karen Evans, Ingrid Schoon and Martin Weale, Life Chances, Learning and the Dynamics of Risk throughout the Life Course, LLAKES Research Paper 9, Centre for Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies
Links: Paper
Date: 2010-Apr
A report set out an agenda for improving lifelong learning provision. It called for a common curriculum framework that would include measures to build: health capability; financial capability; civic capability; and digital capability.
Source: Lifelong Learning in Challenging Times: An agenda for a new government, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Links: Report | NIACE press release
Date: 2010-Apr
A paper said that there were 'significant positive returns' for men and women from lifelong learning. The magnitude of effect was similar for both genders, with men and women experiencing a 20 per cent increase in hourly earnings 10 years after gaining a lifelong learning qualification.
Source: Jo Blanden, Franz Buscha, Patrick Sturgis and Peter Urwin, Measuring the Returns to Lifelong Learning, DP 110, Centre for Economic Performance/London School of Economics
Links: Paper
Date: 2010-Mar
A paper examined the effect of lifelong learning on men's employment and wages. Modest effects were found for men who undertook lifelong learning without upgrading their educational status, and more powerful and significant effects for those who did upgrade their status. For the latter, the influence of lifelong learning on employment prospects was an important influence on the overall return.
Source: Richard Dorsett, Silvia Lui and Martin Weale, Economic Benefits of Lifelong Learning, Discussion Paper 352, National Institute for Economic and Social Research
Links: Discussion paper
Date: 2010-Mar
