It’s time to turn the tide on a decade of decline in adult education and lifelong learning. This is the message coming out of the Get the Nation Learning campaign, launching today, and supported by the likes of Channel 4, the National Housing Federation, and the manufacturers’ body Make UK.

With the Government promising a “radical skills revolution” as an engine for growth, research also published today shows lifelong learning can increase employment, reduce welfare spending, and stimulate workforce productivity.

Independent policy and research organisation Learning and Work Institute (L&W) is leading the new campaign and conducted the research. The report, commissioned by the longevity think-tank Phoenix Insights set up by Phoenix Group, shows that adults qualified at or below GCSE level have the most to gain from engaging in education and training, but that increasing participation in lifelong learning across the board could be a game changer for people, our society and economy.

While the Government yesterday announced steps to give young people 120,000 new training opportunities, the adult skills budget in England has been cut by £1 billion since 2010, resulting in millions fewer people gaining qualifications. At the same time, employers are investing 26% less per employee than in 2005, with significant inequalities in who benefits from training at work.

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:

“The Government is right to recognise the importance of young people’s skills to growth and opportunity. But you can only have a ‘skills revolution’ if that also includes adults and the existing workforce.

“When adults learn, our society and economy thrive. Growth, productivity, good work, resilient communities, fuller and richer lives—these are some of the prizes on offer if we can build a culture of lifelong learning. That means valuing it, funding it, and giving everyone access to it.

“That’s why our new campaign to Get the Nation Learning is so important, and we look forward to working with our campaign partners in making the case for learning across the country.”

Jamie Ward, Head of Learning and Talent at Channel 4 said:

“The world of work is changing fast, not least in the media industry. Learning new skills throughout one’s working life is key to staying relevant, fulfilling your purpose and getting real satisfaction. Outside work, learning is a joy and why wouldn’t we want that to last our whole lives long? That’s why the Get the Nation Learning campaign is so important.”

Jamie Cater, Senior Policy Manager for Employment at Make UK, said:
“The importance of lifelong learning has never been greater to businesses and their workforces. As manufacturing jobs and the skills needed to do them change, the future growth and resilience of the UK’s manufacturers relies on their ability to invest in upskilling and retraining their employees. We back the campaign to Get the Nation Learning to embed lifelong learning in the education landscape, and support both manufacturing employers and their workers to retain and develop the skills they need to thrive.”

Catherine Foot, Director of Phoenix Insights, said:

“Somebody starting work today could have a career spanning five decades. Longer working lives mean that lifelong learning is ever more important. The government’s ambitious 80% employment target will be impossible to achieve without boosting employment for people aged 50 and over. With this research showing there is a causal link between learning as an adult and the likelihood of being in employment, it’s never been more vital for lifelong learning to be seen as a pivotal tool to keep people in work.

“The government can support this agenda by ensuring that lifelong learning is integrated into careers advice and employment support services, including the reform plans for the National Jobs and Careers Service.”