Our Research

We often work with external partners to conduct research on trends and particular policy issues regarding skills, adult education and employment. Here you will find our research reports across a range of policy topics.

Transferable Skills: Understanding effective delivery through adult skills provision

May 2024

Ask Research were commissioned to undertake research on the delivery of transferable skills through GLA adult skills funding in London.

This research aims to improve the GLA’s understanding on the delivery and impact of transferable skills on learners’ economic and social outcomes. It provides a qualitative deep dive into the need for and impact of transferable skills provision and the challenges, approaches to and success factors in the delivery of transferable skills.

This report includes recommendations for the GLA, providers and employers on how to engender a more consistent understanding and delivery of transferable skills and how to support more Londoners to gain these vital skills.

Navigating the Transition: A Cost and Skills Analysis for Net Zero Carbon by 2030 in London’s Further Education Colleges

July 2024

The Mayor of London is committed to reducing emissions and addressing the climate emergency. As part of this, the Mayor is driving forward an ambitious plan to make the city Net Zero-Carbon by 2030 and expects GLA funded training providers to have a Net Zero-Carbon plan in place by 2024.

To help providers meet this expectation, the Mayor launched a Net Zero- Carbon toolkit in November 2023, providing best practice and guidance. Building on this work, the GLA has commissioned a report, led by the Carbon Trust and Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education EAUC. This report estimates the potential cost and skills required for FE colleges to achieve Net Zero-Carbon by 2030.

Whilst highlighting opportunities for the government to work more closely with the Mayor on this agenda, the report estimates that decarbonising London’s FE estates could cost between £213-279 million.

Understanding the Impact of Covid-19 on Remote Learning in the FE sector in London

October 2023

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, London’s adult education sector saw a shift in its approach to teaching and learning, requiring a swift pivot to online delivery methods. In response, the Mayor launched a £9m Skills for Londoners Covid-19 Response Fund. This initiative aimed to bolster the capabilities of adult education providers, ensuring not only the continuation of skills development among Londoners but also addressing the challenge of digital exclusion.

To gain a better understanding of the post-pandemic landscape, the Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned Learning and Work Institute (L&W) to carry out mixed-methods research into the experience of learners in adult education and the quality of adult education provision in London.

This report provides an understanding of the impact of the increased use of remote learning following shift to online delivery during the pandemic. This research explored recent trends in remote learning, learner and provider experiences and how policy and best practice can enhance remote learning in the city.

Supporting London’s Migrant Communities through AEB

November 2023

The Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned the Learning and Work Institute to undertake research to explore the impact of changes to expand the accessibility of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) for refugee and migrant communities. These changes include expanding the three-year residency waiver to include long term migrants; full funding for those earning less than the London Living Wage (LLW); and full funding for AEB-eligible people seeking asylum, where previously they were required to part fund their course.

The report includes recommendations for both the GLA and local delivery partners to provide additional support to the sector and migrant Londoners.