The Career Tech Challenge looked at supporting the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers, including those in low pay or insecure work. We’ve been conducting research with the finalists to explore the process of building data-driven solutions. This report explores the findings and highlights how the CareerTech Challenge innovators used labour market data to support adults to plan for their future career.

The CareerTech Challenge, launched in 2019 by Nesta and Nesta Challenges in partnership with the Department for Education, aimed to support the development of new solutions to help people find rewarding future careers. Out of the 31 innovators supported by the CareerTech Challenge, 20 of these  focused on developing digital solutions that connect people with data-driven information, advice and guidance to help them navigate the labour market.

Solutions aimed to help users identify their own skills, and the skills needed for a rapidly changing labour market; identify jobs available in local areas; and provide pathways to prepare for and secure new, future-proof roles. Learning and Work Institute conducted research with the 20 innovators to explore the process of building these data-driven solutions. This final report shares key findings on:

  • Identifying, accessing and analysing existing labour market data
  • Developing new and experimental data
  • Translating and communicating labour market data

30 Medi 2026

22 Medi 2026

Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition

AI has transformative potential for the UK economy and could present a net uplift to productivity of up to £80 billion by 2035. Yet the UK workforce does not – yet – have the skills to successfully adopt and scale AI technologies in a truly transformative way.

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22 Medi 2026

AI skills investment could add £80 billion to the UK economy

The UK can secure an £80 billion boost to its economy by 2035 if the Government and businesses act together to strengthen the technical skills system, according to a major report published today by L&W and The Rigby Foundation.

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7 Medi 2026

UK must make training the ‘go-to’ response to skills needs, or risk holding back growth, new report warns

The Government’s plans to get the economy growing risk falling short unless it takes action to reverse sharp falls in the training employees get at work, new analysis warns.

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7 Medi 2026

Understanding employer investment in skills

This is the third and final report of our project funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at employer investment in skills, and how employees are responding to the need to upskill and retrain in a transitioning economy.

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23 Mehefin 2026

VocTech Challenge: Skills for an Economy in Transition

The VocTech Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of technology to help every adult in the UK get the skills they need to participate and benefit from our transitioning.

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29 Mai 2026

I found my voice through lifelong learning – others deserve the same chance

Ed Balls, Former Cabinet Minister and Shadow Chancellor, sets out why lifelong learning is vital for the country.

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1 Mai 2026

Driving Change in Higher Education

Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher education.

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13 Mawrth 2026

Training and skills needs: Trends and challenges in UK growth sectors

This report, the second in a series of publications funded by Nuffield Foundation, explores the level of estimated skills needs in UK businesses alongside the level and type of training that employers provide.

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