This webinar presented research from NFER’s The Skills Imperative 2035 programme and considered how the adult skills system can be reinvigorated to better meet the needs of people in at-risk occupations.
Up to three million UK jobs in declining occupations could disappear by 2035, largely due to AI and automation. Although the labour market as a whole is expected to grow in this time, growth will be concentrated in professional and associate professional occupations, whereas most low-skilled occupations are declining at an increasing pace.
It’s more important than ever that workers in declining occupations are supported by the adult education and skills system to upskill, reskill and adapt to changes in the economy. However, investment and participation in lifelong learning have declined, with large inequalities in who accesses learning. Graduates are three times more likely to get training at work than non-graduates. This needs to change.
The webinar will be of interest to policymakers at national and local levels, researchers, learning providers, employers, and awarding organisations, as well as those interested in post-16 skills and education.
Speakers:
- Stephen Evans, Chief Executive, Learning and Work Institute
- Luke Bocock, Research Director, NFER
- Jim Bligh, Corporate Affairs Director, British Retail Consortium
- Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive, Skills Federation and Board Member of Skills England
- Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary, TUC
- Imman Laksari-Adams, Head of Strategy and Relationships, Greater London Authority
Watch the recording of the event here:
