adult education

Confronting the skills paradox

Paper examining the so-called 'skills paradox' in the UK whereby funding and investment in skills formation operates on a 'trickle down' principle, in which those already enjoying privileged status within the education and training system benefit most from the highest levels of investment from both the state and employers. It suggests ways to address this paradox and create an education and training system which works for everyone and maximises the benefits to individuals, organisations and the economy.

Adult skills and higher education: separation or union?

Paper assessing and discussing the position of adult skills training in England in the context of the creation of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the continuation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It argues that giving responsibility for funding adult skills training to the DIUS risks adult skills being left behind by higher education.

Strategic review of Learning Connections : report into the findings and recommendations arising from a strategic review of Learning Connections, a division within the Lifelong Learning Directorate of Scottish Government

Document reporting on the conclusions reached after a strategic review of the community learning and development (CLD) agency, Learning Connections and recommendations for the future development of CLD policy in Scotland.

Developing the use of online blended learning with adult literacies learners in Scotland : an overview of the E-learning Support Project, September 2008-March 2009

Report charting the progress of a project developed by Learning Connections to help literacies practitioners in Scotland incorporate online learning into their work with adult literacies learners. The report details some of the online resources developed as a result of the project.

Identifying and quantifying the outcomes of community learning and development: development and testing of a research instrument - full report

Report describing and discussing a research project whose purpose was to develop and trial an instrument which could determine whether it is possible to identify and quantify retrospectively the outcomes of community learning and development for individuals and communities in Scotland.

The annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, children's services and skills 2007/08

Report presenting evidence and findings from the first full year of inspection and regulation carried out by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills established in April 2007 and covering childcare, children's social care and education and skills provision for learners of all ages.

The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills 2007/08 (Full report)

This Annual Report presents evidence from the first full year of inspection and regulation undertaken by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, which came into being in April 2007. The report draws on evidence since July 2007 and reflects the first full year of inspection and regulation by Ofsted across its expanded remit, including findings from childcare, children’s social care, and education and skills provision for learners of all ages.