Skills, Work and Work and Lifelong Learning Lifelong Learning: The Role of Guidance

Within the UK, much attention has been given to focusing on the skills of the workforce and identifying adult skill shortages within traditional, new, and evolving economies. An in-depth analysis of labour market demands and skill shortages is presented which provides strong evidence that in order to ensure the future success of the UK economy, a significant increase in the number of adults engaged in learning is crucial.

It is suggested that if we are to persuade more adults to participate in productive work-related learning, help them make appropriate choices relative to their interests and capabilities, and support them to persist and succeed, this will require a wide set of capabilities within future
adult guidance provision. This has significant implications for the development of adult guidance services in the UK, and offers real challenges to policy-makers and practitioners to find innovative ways of inspiring and motivating individuals and employers to invest in learning and personal development.