News and blog

Catch up on what our previous award winners have been up to and find out latest updates.

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Jagdeep Soor

5 November 2024

Blog

In this guest blog for Lifelong Learning Week 2024, Jagdeep Soor, Executive Director at Pathway Group, sets out his vision for lifelong learning over the next decade and how this can be made a reality.

Ambitions for lifelong learning in the next decade

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Dr Katerina Kolyva

5 November 2024

Blog

As part of Lifelong Learning Week 2024, Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), reflects on the benefits of lifelong learning and sets out how greater investment in FE and skills could break down barriers to opportunity

Lifelong learning is key to delivering the Government’s five missions

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David Hughes CBE

5 November 2024

Blog

In his blog for Lifelong Learning Week 2024, David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive at the Association of Colleges, reflects on the chancellor’s first budget and highlights three opportunities to make the case for lifelong learning.

Are we set to turn a corner on lifelong learning?

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Dame Ann Limb

5 November 2024

Blog

This Lifelong Learning Week, Dame Ann Limb, Chair of the Lifelong Education Institute, spots the clues the Government knows it’s time for skills to make a positive change.

The time has never been better – for skills, adult and further education

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Hannah Larsen

5 November 2024

Blog

In this guest blog for Lifelong Learning Week 20204, Hannah Larsen, Policy Officer at British Chambers of Commerce, sets out how employers, government, learning providers and individuals can work together to meet skills needs in a changing economy.

Towards a collaborative approach to building a skilled workforce for tomorrow

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Dr Fiona Aldridge

5 November 2024

Blog

In this blog for Lifelong Learning Week 2024, Dr Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive at Skills Federation, calls for lifelong learning to be a priority to widen opportunity and realise ambitions for economic growth

Breaking patterns for a decade of national renewal

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Dipa Ganguli OBE

5 November 2024

Blog

As part of Lifelong Learning Week, Dipa Ganguli OBE, Principal of WM College and Chair of Holex, reflects on why WM College’s mission to widen access to education is just as important as ever as they celebrate their 170th year.

Lifelong learning: a critical investment for the future

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Naomi Clayton

18 January 2024

Blog

Investment in training and workforce development can help businesses of all sizes stand out from the crowd, says Naomi Clayton, deputy director of Learning and Work Institute.

Why 2024 should be a year for employer investment in training

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Nominations open for 2024 adult learning awards

Nominations open for 2024 adult learning awards

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7 November 2023

News

To mark Lifelong Learning Week 2023 and as part of our Learning for Creativity and Culture Day, we have curated a new Instagram gallery (@folpeoplesgallery) of artwork from adult learners.

Introducing the People’s Gallery

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Jill Rutter

7 November 2023

Blog

With growing numbers of independent providers, one might argue that the loss of craft provision in local authority services and colleges does not matter. But there is an economic and social case to be made maintaining public provision.

Why making things matters

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Mica Jayne Coleman Jones

28 July 2023

Blog

In April, Festival of Learning held an 'Art for the People' event at City Lit to celebrate the benefits of art-based learning for individuals, communities and wider society. Mica Jayne Coleman Jones, winner of our 2022 Patron's Award, looks back on her experience of the day and reflects on meeting Learning and Work Institute's patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Reflections on Art For The People and meeting HRH The Princess Royal

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Catherine Foot

7 July 2023

Blog

We are proud to partner with L&W on their Festival of Learning campaign. The inspiring stories of the nominees are proof positive of the life-changing role that learning can play in people’s lives.

How lifelong learning can help us make the most of longer lives

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5 July 2023

News

The Festival of Learning award winners for 2023 have been announced by Learning and Work Institute. The ten winners, revealed at an awards ceremony, include inspiring stories of adult learners, as well as outstanding adult learning provision, tutors and employers.

This year’s Festival of Learning award winners showcase the power of adult learning to change lives and inspire others to fulfil their potential

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Jo Wyard

19 July 2022

At the awards ceremony, we ask each award winner a question. Jo Wyard, our New Directions Award winner, shares her answer...

How has your learning journey made a difference to your family?

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Paul Eeles

11 November 2021

Blog

When it comes to learning, education and qualifications, there is a mainstream narrative in society and it is this: that we go to school, and then on to college, for which the secret code is A levels, and then, if we are lucky, we reach the pinnacle and go to university - and then we are done as far as formal learning is concerned!

The opportunity to learn, to be educated, or to be qualified can never be a one-off opportunity

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Jane Hickie

10 November 2021

Blog

As L&W celebrates their centenary, AELP proudly stands with L&WI on our shared ambitions to transform people’s lives through learning and employment.

AELP’s role in the future of lifelong learning

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Katie Easey

8 November 2021

Blog

The recent 2021 WEA Impact Report highlights the impressive benefits of community learning. In this post, Katie Easey outlines the 10 reasons why adult education is a great idea!

You’re never too old to learn

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6 July 2021

News

The Festival of Learning award winners for 2021 have been announced by Learning and Work Institute.

Festival of Learning award winners showcase the power of learning and inspire others to transform lives

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23 March 2021

News

Learning and Work Institute has announced its shortlisted Festival of Learning award nominees for 2021.

Festival of Learning announces shortlisted award nominees for 2021

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David Hughes

3 November 2020

Blog

I realised that to achieve society-wide change, we need to empower more people in every community to have agency, to believe in themselves and to realise that learning for life is not a one-off nor a sentence, but a necessity for us all.

The role of colleges in supporting lifelong learning

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3 November 2020

News

Learning and Work Institute has announced its Festival of Learning award winners for 2020.

Inspiring Festival of Learning award winners showcase the power of learning to transform lives

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Stephen Evans

1 November 2020

Blog

Our first Lifelong Learning Week aims to celebrate the best in adult learning and harness the appetite for lifelong learning we’ve seen during lockdown.

Why we’re celebrating the first Lifelong Learning Week

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1 April 2020

News

Learning and Work Institute has announced its shortlisted Festival of Learning award nominees for 2020.

Festival of Learning announces shortlisted award nominees for 2020

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15 December 2019

Blog

Are you thinking of submitting a Festival of Learning nomination for the first time this year? Or have you nominated in the past, but your nominees are never shortlisted?

5 Ways to Make Your Festival of Learning Nomination a Winner

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2 July 2019

News

Learning and Work Institute has announced its Festival of Learning award winners for 2019.

Inspiring Festival of Learning award winners show the power of learning to transform lives

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22 March 2019

News

Learning and Work Institute has announced its shortlisted Festival of Learning award nominees for 2019. The shortlisted nominees are:

Festival of Learning announces shortlisted award nominees for 2019

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Oriana White

8 March 2019

Blog

Education enables you to focus and rebuild your future, taking control of your own destiny.

Education feeds your soul. It nourishes your mind.

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Hala Akhras

8 January 2019

Blog

Moving to England from Syria brought a range of challenges, including a new language. Determined to integrate into my new country I learnt to speak English and found a new career.

Growing enthusiasm and motivation to continue my educational journey

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9 November 2018

News

Festival of Learning Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of adult learners and aim to inspire others to discover how learning can benefit them, their families and communities.

2019 Festival of Learning award nominations now open

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12 June 2018

News

Learning and Work Institute is delighted to announce their Festival of Learning award winners for 2018.

Award winners for Festival of Learning 2018 announced

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Jonathan Beebee

8 November 2017

Blog

In 2017, I was nominated for a Festival of Learning award. I had recently completed a course with the School for Social Entrepreneurs on how to start up a social enterprise.

A great opportunity for you to recognise the achievements of someone you know

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