IMPACT OF ADULT LEARNING ON WORK European Agenda for Adult Learning 2015-2017 Wales Impact Forum 23 May 2017 MARK RAVENHALL

European Agenda for Adult Learning 2015-17 UK work programme coordinated by Learning & Work Institute funded by European Commission and UK government Key work strands: adult basic skills (the Citizens’ Curriculum), digital skills, and young adult employability Research strands - adult learning and: health and well-being work communities Final report in 2017 to include evidence of the impact of adult learning on three research themes BACK IN 2012 UK AGREED TO BE PART OF A PAN EUROPEAN PROGRAMME THAT AIMS TO BRING TOGETHER RESEARCH AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE ACROSS EUROPE ALTHO LED BY EC IT IS OPEN TO NON-EU COUNTRIES AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE 32 INVOLVED ACROSS EUROPE PARTICIPATION IN ADULT LEARNING VARIES BETWEEN 1.4 AND ALMOST 32% OF THE 25-64 POPULATION. THE AVERAGE IS 9%. UK IS ALMOST AT THE BENCHMARK OF 15%, BUT IT VARIES BETWEEN REGIONS OUR WORK ADDRESSES SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES WE FEEL APPLY ACROSS THE DIFFERENT POLICY CONTEXTS IN ENGLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES BUT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT POLICY ENVIRONMENTS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED IMPACT FORUMS IN EACH DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATION TO CONTEXTUALISE THE RESEARCH THE OUTCOME OF THIS WILL BE

GRALE (2016) 139 UNESCO member states responded to a monitoring survey Identifies trends in adult learning and how it responds to a changing world Looks at the impact of adult learning in 3 areas On the face of it countries report an improving picture since 2009, 75% countries report they have SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THEIR ALE POLICIES SINCE 2009 70% Have enacted new policies Literacy remains a concern Gender inequality remains a concern if almost 1 in ten girls are out of school it is not surprising that 63% of adults with low literacy skills are women Argues for adult learning to be built into holistic, intersectoral approaches, which requires deeper partnerships based on the impact of adult learning

Types of benefit in GRALE III Healthy behaviours & attitudes Longer life expectancy A reduction in lifestyle diseases Lower costs for acute healthcare Skills & employability Higher wages Job satisfaction & commitment Greater productivity & entrepreneurship Tax revenues Literacy & numeracy Life skills such as resilience & self-confidence Tolerance of diversity Attention to the environment Social cohesion Political participation

GRALE III (2016)

The “overlapping benefits” of ALE “…no matter where in the world they live, adult learning and education [ALE] helps people become healthier, to improve their economic prospects, and to be more informed and active citizens.” GRALE 3 (21)

Progression HS2 STEM PROGRESSION PATHWAY BIRMINGHAM 2016-2024 ENTRY PATHWAY FOR THOSE FARTHEST FROM THE LABOUR MARKET Mark (6-7 mins) A learning system designed to reduce poverty / contribute to Inclusive Growth

UK Final Report (Nov 2017) The Impact of Adult Learning in the UK Overview Health Work Communities Devolved contexts: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Conclusions / summary

Feedback and ideas to: Mark Ravenhall Senior Research Fellow European Agenda for Adult Learning Learning and Work Institute (UK National Coordinator) markravenhall@sky.com or via EPALE