Rajesh

Adapting to a changing world: Rajesh is thriving due to lifelong learning 

‘This course has been the perfect stepping stone back into work and has given me a set of skills and a road map – I know exactly what I’m going to do next.’

Rajesh decided to return to education after working in IT for more than 30 years. He felt there was a need to up his skills and prepare for the changes happening in the tech industry. Taking a break for family reasons gave him time to reflect on how fast the world is changing – and inspired him to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) to stay ahead and prepare him for his next career move.  

The growing use of AI is a significant driver, with nearly a quarter (23%) of businesses using AI technology as of late September 2025 and Rajesh wanted to make sure, he had the knowledge and confidence to thrive in this new landscape.  

What made you decide to return to education after so long in the IT industry? 

I’ve worked in IT for about 30 years, but after taking a break for family reasons, I realised the industry had moved on a lot. I saw how quickly AI was taking off and I thought that if I go back to work, I need to understand what’s changing and where I’d like to be in five years. I decided not to return to what I was doing before, because that’s going to change anyway. Instead, I wanted to learn about AI and how it fits into what I used to do, so that I’d be better prepared for the job market. For me, this course has been the perfect stepping stone back into work and has given me a set of skills and a road map – I know exactly what I’m going to do next. 

How has the course made you feel about your next steps? 

Empowered – that’s the word that really sums it up. I don’t know everything about AI, but now I understand how things fit together and how it connects to my previous experience. The course is excellent and has a great balance of theory and practical work. I’ve gained two big benefits from it. One is learning what I need to do to get back into the workplace, and the other is being able to guide my children about the world they’re growing up into. It’s given me direction, a set of new skills and a clear sense of what comes next. 

Why do you think courses like this are so important right now? 

The world is changing very quickly, and AI is at the heart of that change. If people don’t have access to courses like these, they’ll find it difficult to keep up in the world – it’ll hit them like a brick wall. These types of courses are especially vital for those on low incomes, because they open doors to new opportunities and help people get onto the employment ladder, enabling them to support the country by working. Without these courses, people like me might not be able to consider going back to work at all. 

If you could send a message to the government about adult education, what would it be? 

Adult education gives people a stepping stone into work and helps them adapt to the new world we’re moving into. Without it, we risk having a workforce that can’t keep up with the pace of change. If I could speak to the government, I’d ask: What kind of future do you want for this country? Do you want people in employment, generating revenue and driving growth – or people stuck without opportunities and relying on benefits? The decision is yours.