"No time to waste in rebuilding a culture of lifelong learning " Dr Jo Grady (General Secretary UCU) opens The Ruskin College Lifelong Learning conference 2025 chaired by Professor Graeme Atherton (WEA's Chris Butcher in attendance) @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social

Nice walk to the @solidar-eu.bsky.social social affairs/education & learning meeting hosted by @feps-europe.eu in #brussels. Great to share the work of the @weaadulted.bsky.social & learn from others across #Europe. Re-affirms that lifelong learning is key to solving many of our shared challenges.

Let’s value and fund all aspects of adult learning. The hope is this reshuffle will bring greater alignment around the skills for work agenda & that is welcome. However, it can’t be at the expense of tailored & lifelong learning. Let me know what your thoughts are

Massive thanks to @feweek.bsky.social for running this piece. Let me know what you think

Sunderland City Council is on the front foot when it comes to bridging the digital divide. We had the opportunity to ask Nicol McConnell about ‘what really works’ when it comes to getting communities connected. Take a look at her insights ➡️

Thanks to @newstatesman.com for referencing @weaadulted.bsky.social We really do need to take adult learning to those communities that need it most rather than just what is easy policy wise. We need to protect lifelong learning not cut the funding by 6% www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/te...

Proud to represent @weaadulted.bsky.social with Preeya Searle & our better halves. Honoured that Her Majesty Queen Camilla stopped to shake our hands and ask about our work. Her response when we said what we did “you are much needed” taking this as royal approval. Thanks @holexpolicy.bsky.social

Difficult blog & post to write and thanks to the WEA team for working on this. The language and rhetoric around this White Paper is troubling & the lack of Govt join up is staggering. The importance being place in growing skills whilst the DfE cut the Adult Skills Fund by 6% beggars belief

This is interesting and it does raise the question of why the Government would choose to cut 6% from the Dept for Education’s Adult Skills Fund. Here at @weaadulted.bsky.social we will keep fighting for this decision to be reversed and more investment put into this vital public service

Good morning spent at Brass Bolton with Helen Clayton from Bolton CVS Nick & Athena (behind the camera) @weaadulted.bsky.social Great to sit in on a digital class for ESOL learners then lots of talk about how we can support adults in their learning journey across GMCA @andyburnham.bsky.social

Read Sue's new blog for Campaign for Learning. There is significant uncertainty in the economy right now - we cannot lose sight of the potential in growing and investing in the talent of adults. The government needs to rethink, reset and reinvest. @sahn14.bsky.social @cforlearning.bsky.social

Join us for our next APPG event on 24 April, focusing on skills for a thriving economy With an expert panel including @laurenedwardsmp.bsky.social, Pearson, @cipd.bsky.social, BCS and @simonparkinson.bsky.social of @weaadulted.bsky.social Register now: www.futureworkappg.org.uk/events/2vna2...

"The involvement of trusted organisations from the VCS and adult education in developing local plans could achieve a more inclusive approach and reassure communities that their voice is being heard." 5/5

"Adult education organisations have vast experience of supporting people to build their confidence and to find their own pathways. There is justified concern that benefit and employment reforms will be imposed on some vulnerable groups." 4/5

"It is crucial that the lead local authorities draw on this expertise for the benefit of their communities. Organisations who understand the employment barriers faced by different groups will be the key to a more tailored and person-centred approach to progression into work." 3/5

"The guidance is clear that expertise is needed to understand the factors contributing to unemployment and economic inactivity. We believe it is those organisations working most closely with local communities who will have this expertise." 2/5

WEA's @simonparkinson.bsky.social responds to Get Britain Working Guidance published today: "The WEA welcomes the prominent role for voluntary sector and adult education organisations set out in the DWP’s Get Britain Working guidance published today." 1/5

Great webinar this morning by @holexpolicy.bsky.social credit to Kat Hayes from the Depart for Education for trying to answer tough questions around cuts to the Adult Skills Fund & the impact this will have. @weaadulted.bsky.social will continue to lobby against the cuts

The first @weaadulted.bsky.social courses began in Jan 1908 in Rochdale and Longton & delivered by RH Tawney. The archives at London Met Uni are an incredible resource where you can trace the incredible challenges faced in setting up this remarkable achievement.

@feweek.bsky.social @ukshane.bsky.social @weaadulted.bsky.social Any chance just a small bit of the £700m underspend could be reallocated to the Adult Skills Fund? Just asking

"A cut in adult education budgets coinciding with challenging new benefit rules will remove a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable in our communities." Read @simonparkinson.bsky.social response to the government's Spring Statement: www.wea.org.uk/news-views/n... #SpringStatement

This Thursday, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social will be speaking at this @weaadulted.bsky.social webinar on how we can protect adult learning. 📅 Thursday 27 March ⏰ 5pm-6pm Register now. ⬇️

Ahead of the Spring Statement, our Chief Executive and General Secretary, @simonparkinson.bsky.social, has written an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlining the benefits of adult learning. Read letter online: thewea.info/chancellor_l... #adulteducation #budget #springstatement

Deeply frustrated as I post this. For a mission led Government who put skills at the heart of the agenda to cut the Adult Skills Fund by 6% is bizarre. This will affect thousands of adult learners. @weaadulted.bsky.social will campaign on their behalf against these cuts & I call on you to join us

This has been a really important, interesting and wide ranging discussion - like many governments, the UK gives far too little priority to #AdultEducation and #LifeLongLearning With @clancyfirefox.bsky.social, @iainj.bsky.social, Prof. Jonathan Michie, @simonparkinson.bsky.social

Really enjoyed doing this and representing @weaadulted.bsky.social Happy to connect with anyone here who would like to discuss further. Thanks again Frank & Stan

Can participation in adult learning grow to meet need? Where can the funding be found to invest in provision which benefits everyone? Join us on the 13 March as we host expert speakers exploring current practice and future challenges #lifelonglearning #adulteducation

See HOLEX asks of government below and view the full spending review submission at www.holex.org.uk/policy/ 📣

Really enjoyed hosting @amandaruggeri.bsky.social for @weaadulted.bsky.social 1st open lecture of 2025. Over 400 participants for the important and timely issue. More resources coming and a massive thanks to all the team that made this happen

Minutes from the 1903 Provisional committee which would form the WEA @weaadulted.bsky.social. Representing workers were G Alcock (Railway Servants), WR Salter (Brushmaker), & AH Thomas (Engineer). From documents held by London Met Special Collections

Reminder that the latest Policy Insights from @prospectmagazine.co.uk includes a chapter from WEA's @simonparkinson.bsky.social . Essential skills in literacy, numeracy and digital are in urgent need of support in the Spending Review and need higher profile in regional growth strategies

Really looking forward to this. A massive thanks to @amandaruggeri.bsky.social former support with this. An important and timely issue so sign up now before it becomes full.

Coming up this week: debate in the House of Lords (Thursday 6th) and deadline for submissions to Treasury for Spending Review (9th). In our briefings @weaadulted.bsky.social has shown the positive impact of adult learning despite years of underfunding. Keep an eye on our socials for more detail.

Thank you @simonparkinson.bsky.social for citing our Adult Participation in Learning Survey in @prospectmagazine.co.uk showing stark disparities in access to learning. 🗞️ www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/pol... 📑 Read the 2024 survey: learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...

Important and Welcome inquiry and a chance for @weaadulted.bsky.social @holexpolicy.bsky.social and others to highlight the benefits of and challenges to Post 19 Adult learning. An important part of the F.E. Sector which is often overlooked.

Great to represent @weaadulted.bsky.social with @weachrisbutcher.bsky.social at yesterday’s meeting with Skills Minister Baroness Smith. Talked all things Adult Literacy and it was clear the Minister was engaged & had good questions. Hopefully we can build on this and promote this important issue

Just received official confirmation that all the £300m additional FE funding from the budget is for 16-19s. £50m as one off grant for “workforce recruitment & retention” challenges, rest via funding rates. Same challenges in Post 19 further education but again no extra funding. Just makes it harder

Shocking lack of investment in Adult Community Ed highlighted by @theifs.bsky.social annual report. Particular decline in venue based Community Ed. We need to ensure the wider economic and societal benefits of community education are not lost @weaadulted.bsky.social www.wea.org.uk/news-views/n...

NEW: The UK has larger skills inequalities between different parts of the country than most other European countries. 🌍 ‘Worlds Apart’, our 2nd #AmbitionSkills report, supported by City and Guilds and NOCN, shows these inequalities are set to widen. learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...

Excellent weekend in beautiful #Northumberland Lovely cosy cottage, great country and costal walks. Good start to #2025

Thanks to @feweek.bsky.social for carrying this. Real chance that further devolution can empower local communities. It is vital that the importance of Adult Community Education in supporting this is recognised and funded. Yes to local skills provision & also yes to learning that builds communities.

Nice evening representing @weaadulted.bsky.social at the 140th Birthday celebrations of Toynbee Hall. We are all part of a movement which seeks to show the importance of Adult Community Education in improving social justice across the U.K.

Nice article here and a great reminder of the link between the Pitman Painters & @weaadulted.bsky.social @kimmcguinness.bsky.social wondering if the McGuiness mentioned here may be a relative www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

As we look ahead to the English Devolution White Paper, @rosielockwood.bsky.social and I have a new essay out exploring the different ways in which the footprint of devolution deals can be determined. www.ippr.org/articles/the...

Happy 25th birthday to @coalfieldsregen.bsky.social & launch of their new strategy. @weaadulted.bsky.social named as a strategic partner & thanks to Grahame Morris MP, Steph Peacock MP & @sarahlonglands.bsky.social for their speeches. Liked Sarah’s reference of a Fat Boy Slim lyric. Any Guesses?

For those interested in reading the full report the link is here oe.cd/5Q5. This little paragraph from the country notes is interesting & matches what adult learners tell us here @weaadulted.bsky.social

Interesting to read the country notes for England. I wonder to what extent Multiply helped the numeracy scores. Agree the poorer outcomes for older learners is due to under investment & perhaps an over focus on higher level quals @weaadulted.bsky.social will continue to advocate for older learners

Good day representing @weaadulted.bsky.social at our end of year Parliamentary reception. Massive thanks to Lord Johnson & Baroness Garden for sharing their thoughts on all things adult education. Great to see supporter & partners and make new connections. Well done @weachrisbutcher.bsky.social

Another good year for Adult Community Education (ACE) providers 96% Good or Outstanding. Pleased for all involved in this important part of our sector. @weaadulted.bsky.social an overall Good provider with learners making Outstanding personal development & showing Outstanding attitudes to learning

Agree with @jimmcmahon.co.uk here that partnerships with local providers is important and glad to see this in the Get Britain Working white paper. Just posted @weaadulted.bsky.social response to the white paper and good to see an acknowledgement that developing essential skills is important.