Age 16-18
New City College has launched a major new campaign calling on the government to take urgent action to protect adult education.
The campaign – ‘Stop The Cuts: Back Adult Learning’ – warns that years of flat funding have resulted in a significant real-terms cut that is limiting opportunities for millions of adults and having a severe effect on the UK’s economic resilience. It argues that providing college education for adults should be seen not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in the country’s future.
With the right support, adult learning can help tackle multiple national challenges, such as closing skills gaps in health, digital, green jobs and public services; boosting productivity and supporting economic growth; supporting employers who urgently need skilled adults; reducing inequality, especially for those who missed out first time around and strengthening communities through confidence and connection.
At the heart of the campaign are four core demands to the government:
- Increase adult education funding, reversing a real-terms cut since 2019
- Reduce bureaucracy, so colleges can respond quickly to local skills needs
- Reform VAT, which currently costs further education (FE) colleges millions each year
- Recognise adult learning as a strategic national priority
Gerry McDonald CBE, Group Principal and CEO of New City College, said: “While the government calls for growth, productivity and a stronger workforce, the very adults who could fill those roles are being priced out of the opportunity to retrain, progress and contribute.
“We’re proud to launch this campaign and to stand alongside the Association of Colleges in supporting their #AdultLearningPays campaign, which calls for fair funding and meaningful investment in adult skills.”
Adult learning remains one of the country’s most powerful tools for personal growth and social cohesion. Every day, adults use learning to retrain or step into new careers, rebuild their confidence and wellbeing, gain digital and technical skills, connect with others to combat isolation, and support their families and communities.
And the impact goes far beyond the classroom – employers gain a more adaptable workforce, communities grow stronger, and society becomes more inclusive. Yet despite these wide-reaching benefits, adult education remains undervalued and underfunded.
NCC’s campaign highlights real stories that show the impact of learning.
Adult student, Cameron Jarvis, 33, works as a forklift driver in a warehouse, but he wants to change his path to a career in the fast-growing technology industry. He’s learning how to code, analyse and interpret data on NCC’s evening Data Analytics course.
He said: “Before I joined the course, I felt stuck. But this has given me direction and confidence. I want to progress, to contribute and to start earning better money. These courses pay for themselves in the long run because they build a stronger workforce.”
Another learner, Tracey, 61, has found her course to be the most empowering experience of her life. She signed up for NCC’s AI Prompt Engineering course after feeling left behind with the rise of AI and new technology.
Tracey said: “College didn’t just teach me digital skills, it brought me back into the world. I feel more positive, more sociable and more confident than I have in years. Adult education has been a real boost to my mental health.”
Employers are also backing the campaign. One said: “Our workforce depends on skilled adults. Without colleges, we simply couldn’t meet demand. Things need to change.”
According to national data, 1.83 million adults took part in further education and skills programmes in 2023/24, and adult learning participation grew by 5.8% last year. Yet funding remains 20% below 2009 levels, with further reductions expected.
Group Principal and CEO Gerry McDonald CBE, added: “You cannot grow an economy while cutting the people who power it. Adult education delivers skills, confidence and opportunity and the UK needs all three. This under-investment restricts productivity, limits social mobility and slows economic growth. By investing properly, the government has the opportunity to unlock a wave of talent – supporting individuals to retrain and the national economy to thrive.
“We are urging members of the public, employers, educators and students to support our campaign. Share our student stories, spread the word, and help us show decision-makers that adult learning matters.”
Follow our campaign calling for change and find out more here: https://www.newcitycollegehub.co.uk/back-adult-learning
#BackAdultLearning #AdultLearningPays
Stop the Cuts: Back Adult Learning
