💬 Adult Learning Deserves Better: The Post-16 White Paper Misses the Mark - The Government’s new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper could have been a defining moment for lifelong learning – but instead, it risks sidelining millions of adults who want and deserve access to education. In a 38,000+ word document, adults barely get a mention. While the Government says it wants to “level up” skills and “leave no one behind,” community learning - which builds confidence, wellbeing and pathways to work - is barely visible. Our Principal & CEO Dipa Ganguli OBE, together with Caroline McDonald, CEO of HOLEX, have co-authored an article in FE Week calling for urgent recognition of the vital role adult learning plays in achieving the nation’s skills ambitions. They argue that adult and community education providers, including WM College, are key to tackling skills shortages, supporting employability, and helping people rebuild confidence and wellbeing. Yet funding cuts and a lack of a clear strategy risk leaving adult learners further behind. 🔑 Two key opportunities: 1. Essential Skills Review – Must go beyond English and maths to include language, literacy, digital and numeracy learning at every level, with community providers having a voice in delivery. 2. Skills Passport – Could help learners track achievements, but must be truly lifelong and include all learning, not just accredited or employment-linked qualifications. “For thousands of adults returning to study after years away, the first step is a short course that rebuilds confidence or language skills. Those experiences must count.” – Dipa Ganguli OBE HOLEX is calling for a £5 billion increase in the adult skills budget this Parliament, with funding distributed locally to meet real community and employer needs. As Dipa and Caroline write: “If ministers truly want a skills revolution, they must recognise that people – not just institutions – are its driving force. Adult learning isn’t an optional extra – it’s the backbone of an inclusive, productive and healthy society.” 📖 Read our summary and the full article in FE Week https://lnkd.in/ev2yYfxs #AdultLearning #Skills #LifelongLearning #FEWeek #WMCollege #HOLEX #Post16 #Education #CommunityLearning With thanks to Jessica Hill
'In the 38,000+ word education and skills white paper document, adult learners like those at WM College barely get a mention', point out Dipa Ganguli OBE and Caroline McDonald. 'Yet the government says it wants to “level up” skills, drive growth and “leave no one behind.” That ambition cannot be realised while community education remains an afterthought.' https://lnkd.in/eBvSGKne
