27 October 2025
Lifelong Learning Century could boost economy by £22 billion
The last report in the Learning & Work Institute’s Ambition Skills programme, supported by NOCN and City & Guilds, sets out a vision for a ‘lifelong learning century’ with people encouraged to undertake learning throughout their lives.
With the UK lagging behind other countries, and wide disparities in skill levels regionally and demographically, the report argues for a reversal of the £1 billion cut to skills investment in England since 2010 and 26% fall in employer spend on training since 2005.
An increase in funding in skills could generate £22 billion for the economy and save taxpayers £8 billion a year.
Recommendations include community-based approaches to increase participation in learning, support with the costs of learning, encouraging employers to invest in skills and improving support for career change.
Regarding career change, the report sets out the barriers to this for many people, including ‘knowing what alternative career options are available, understanding what is needed to move across and transferable skills you may already have, and the confidence to make the move’. The report includes a recommendation for regular Career MOTs and creation of career plans.
Read the full Ambition Skills report.
With the UK lagging behind other countries, and wide disparities in skill levels regionally and demographically, the report argues for a reversal of the £1 billion cut to skills investment in England since 2010 and 26% fall in employer spend on training since 2005.
An increase in funding in skills could generate £22 billion for the economy and save taxpayers £8 billion a year.
Recommendations include community-based approaches to increase participation in learning, support with the costs of learning, encouraging employers to invest in skills and improving support for career change.
Regarding career change, the report sets out the barriers to this for many people, including ‘knowing what alternative career options are available, understanding what is needed to move across and transferable skills you may already have, and the confidence to make the move’. The report includes a recommendation for regular Career MOTs and creation of career plans.
Read the full Ambition Skills report.
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