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

2. European Agenda for Adult Learning
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 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. GRALE III (2016)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

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