Learning and Work Institute

The overlooked NEETs: the policy gap we can no longer ignore The weekly headlines on the rising NEET numbers show the need for bolder solutions. We talk of a million young people 'falling through the cracks'. Within that group...

We're pleased to be to be working with Shaw Trust to evaluate their innovation trial supporting young people with a health issue or disability find and stay in work.

➡️ Read Shaw Trust Chief Impact Officer Julie Leonard's article in the MJ about the project: www.themj.co.uk/overlooked-n...

Interested to get involved in the convention further?

We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available.

Explore these on our website: learningandwork.org.uk/events/emplo... ⭐

@maxuknews.bsky.social @ingeusuk.bsky.social @edgeuk.bsky.social

Employment and Skills Convention 2026 - Learning and Work Institute On Thursday 2 July 2026, the Employment and Skills Convention returns to Manchester.

The Employment and Skills Convention is coming to Manchester! #EmpSkills26

This year's convention will explore how to grow opportunity and unlock potential in a changing workforce.

Thank you to our sponsors Maximus, Ingeus, Edge Foundation and Youth Futures Foundation.

Register now. ⬇️

Unlocking the potential of Connect to Work - Learning and Work Institute Our interactive webinar explored how to unlock the potential of Connect to Work, with a specific focus on lessons for successful delivery.

And watch our webinar on unlocking the potential of Connect to Work: learningandwork.org.uk/events/unloc...

Connect to Work Top Tips - Learning and Work Institute Learning and Work Institute has been commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) to produce a series of top tips to support local government to develop a high quality Connect to Work servic...

The Government has today announced the expansion of the Connect to Work scheme across regions of England and Wales.

Check out our top tips to support local government develop a high-quality Connect to Work service, commissioned by @local.gov.uk. ⬇️

learningandwork.org.uk/connect-to-w... 📑

When it comes to lifelong learning, are we any closer to the College of the Future? - Get the Nation Learning Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, reflects on the role of colleges in providing adults with opportunity and agency throughout their lives.

"Together, we can build a future where everyone is able to learn throughout life. And together, we can still build the College of the Future."

✍️ Reflecting on #CollegesWeek2026 L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social explores why we must continue calling for a more joined-up all-age skills system.

Home - Get the Nation Learning

Find out more and get involved: getthenationlearning.org.uk

In less than a year, the #GetTheNationLearning campaign has created a community of almost 200 supporters dedicated to making and winning the case for lifelong learning. 💡

Hear from Nicola Dolan, Associate Director of Charity, Impact and Operations at Enginuity, on why they've joined the campaign. ⬇️

Adult education is also about strengthening our democracy The real power of adult education lies in rebuilding civic life at a time when democracy feels fragile

Great to be cited by Dipa Ganguli @wmc-adultlearning.bsky.social on how learning can strengthen connection, communities and our democracy.

📑 Read our 2025 Adult Participation in Learning Survey which shows where participation in adult learning has fallen: learningandwork.org.uk/the-workforc...

Reeves hints at more NEET reforms in spring statement 'More reforms' to tackle the government’s spiralling problem of young people who are out of work or training will be announced in coming weeks.

Check out L&W Director of Policy and Research @emilyishness.bsky.social's comment on today's Spring Statement in:

🗞️ @feweek.bsky.social: feweek.co.uk/reeves-hints...

🗞️ @fenews.bsky.social: www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/sp...

#springstatement

No policy announcements today - but Reeves said there is more to be announced on Youth unemployment, which is clearly truly worrying this Gvt (more so than overall ⬆️ of unemployment rate, which OBR thinks will peak this year).

We have had a lot already announced - so what else might be coming?

Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's spring statement 2026 - Learning and Work Institute L&W's Director of Policy and Research Dr Emily Andrews responds to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's spring statement on 3 March 2026.

"We continue to call on the Government to extend the Youth Guarantee to young people aged up to 24."

✍️ L&W Director of Policy and Research @emilyishness.bsky.social responds to the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

➡️ learningandwork.org.uk/responding-t...

The Employment and Skills Convention is back!

We're pleased to be supporting @learnworkuk.bsky.social on this event, exploring how to grow opportunity and unlock potential in a changing workforce.

👇

Why adult education is an investment, not a cost - Get the Nation Learning David Hughes, CEO at the Association of Colleges, sets out why a well-funded, high-quality adult education system is beneficial to society and the economy.

"Education leads to personal agency. And when you have agency, you have confidence and more opportunities."

Happy #CollegesWeek2026! 🎉

In a new #GetTheNationLearning article @hughesdavid.bsky.social, CEO at @aoc-info.bsky.social, sets out why adult education is an investment, not a cost.

Adult Learning Awards – Nominate now Join us in celebrating the achievements of adult learners, educators and organisations who support adult learning across the West Midlands by completing this form.

The West Midlands Adult Learning Awards are now open! 📣

We're thrilled to be supporting the West Midlands Combined Authority on these awards for the fourth year running.

✍️ Nominate an inspiring adult learner, educator or organisation by Monday 16 March.

“Rises in the number of unemployed Neets and falls in the number of economically inactive shows more young people are looking for work but many are facing challenges finding a job.”

📰 Read @stephenevans.bsky.social's comments on NEET levels in @telegraph.co.uk: www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

Take a look at our chart showing how numbers of young people not in education, employment or training has changed over time. ⬇️

New innovation trial offers young Londoners with health conditions tailored support to get 'work ready’ - Learning and Work Institute Shaw Trust is funding and designing a new service to help young people with a health condition or disability get 'work ready.' The innovation trial will be evaluated by L&W and launched in partnership...

📣 NEW: As the latest ONS figures show almost 1 in 7 young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training, West London is due to trial new support to help young residents with a health issue or disability get ‘work ready’.

Find out more 👇

Responding to the latest NEET data, February 2026 - Learning and Work Institute Learning and Work Institute chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the NEET data released on 26 February 2026.

"Almost one in seven young people is not in education, employment or training, risking long-term damage to their career prospects."

💬 L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social responds to today's ONS data on young people not in education, employment or training.

No train, no gain - Learning and Work Institute This webinar will explore findings of L&W research showing how access to in-work training can act as a boon for people’s pay and careers.

Register for our webinar: 'No train, no gain' 📺

This webinar will reflect on our research commissioned by Multiverse showing how access to in-work training can act as a boon for people’s pay and careers.

📆 Wednesday 11 March

🕑 1-2pm

Register now: learningandwork.org.uk/events/no-tr...

Lifelong learning has never been more important.

That's why our #GetTheNationLearning campaign is focussed on ensuring everyone can learn throughout life, with now nearly 200 supporters.

The 5% Club is one of these. Hear from their Chief Executive Mark Cameron OBE about why they're on board. ⬇️

We're now live! 🔴

Looking forward to hearing from:

Stephen Evans, @learnworkuk.bsky.social
Luke Bocock, @thenfer.bsky.social
Jim Bligh, @britishretail.bsky.social
Fiona Aldridge, @skillsfederation.bsky.social
Kate Bell, @tuc.org.uk
Imman Laksari-Adams, Greater London Authority

Turning risk into opportunity: Reskilling workers in a changing economy - Learning and Work Institute This webinar will present research from NFER’s The Skills Imperative 2035 programme and consider how the adult skills system can be reinvigorated to better meet the needs of people in at-risk occupati...

Join us at 1pm today to explore how the skills system can better support people in at-risk occupations! 📺

This webinar with @thenfer.bsky.social will present research from their #Skills2035 programme to explore how we can support workers to upskill, reskill and adapt to changes in the economy.

Partnership - Get the Nation Learning

Put your organisation at the head of the #GetTheNationLearning campaign!

With nearly 200 supporters and high profile coverage in 2025, now is the perfect time to help lead our fast-growing movement making and winning the case for lifelong learning.

➡️ getthenationlearning.org.uk/partnership/

@maxuknews.bsky.social @ingeusuk.bsky.social @edgeuk.bsky.social

Employment and Skills Convention 2026 - Learning and Work Institute On Thursday 2 July 2026, the Employment and Skills Convention returns to Manchester.

Registrations are open for the Employment and Skills Convention 2026!

This year, we'll explore how to grow opportunity and unlock potential in a changing workforce.

📆 Thursday 2 July
🕑 All day

Thank you to our sponsors Maximus, Ingeus, Edge Foundation and Youth Futures Foundation.

#EmpSkills26

Join our team - Learning and Work Institute

Join the L&W team!

There's still time to apply to be a:
⭐ Deputy Director - to help us generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work
⭐ Head of Research - to lead innovative, impactful research and evaluation projects on employment and skills

#hiring

Adult Learning Awards – Nominate now Join us in celebrating the achievements of adult learners, educators and organisations who support adult learning across the West Midlands by completing this form.

The West Midlands Adult Learning Awards are now open! 📣

We're thrilled to be supporting the West Midlands Combined Authority on these awards for the fourth year running.

✍️ Nominate an inspiring adult learner, educator or organisation by Monday 16 March.

Why men are finding themselves out of work and on the scrapheap Males tend to work in industries that have been hardest hit by tax increases and structural change

"More men are looking for work, and the sectors where vacancies and jobs have declined more are male-dominated."

Read L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comments on male unemployment in @telegraph.co.uk. 📰