Search Results

As part of UK government policies Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs, all adults in England who do not yet have A levels or equivalent can now take their first Level 3 qualification for free, funded through the National Skills Fund (NSF). The aim of this policy is to upskill people to help them access jobs with better career prospects and prepare for the economy of the future. Despite the evidence on the benefits of learning, the UK has seen a recent decline in the number of adults participating in learning and skills training. Studies have consistently demonstrated that adults who could most benefit from participating in learning are the least likely to do so. For the NSF to be effective, these entrenched inequalities in participation in learning need to be addressed.

This research was undertaken on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) to understand how adults can be effectively engaged in the NSF Free Courses for Jobs offer. The research included an online survey of 1,006 respondents and 50 qualitative in-depth interviews with adults who may be eligible for the NSF Free Courses for Jobs offer. This report examines barriers adult learners face in taking their first level 3 qualification, their opinions on the Free Courses for Jobs offer, their interest in the available subjects, and factors that would encourage and enable adult learners to take up the offer. The findings will be used to inform NSF policy development and implementation.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less