Our research on adult careers and skills explores how lifelong learning and career development supports individual opportunity and wider economic resilience. In a labour market defined by rapid change and evolving employer needs, IES investigates how adults can adapt and thrive through access to the right training, guidance, and career pathways. Our work spans education and skills initiatives, career transitions, and the role of employers, government, and providers in creating effective systems of support.
Barriers and opportunities
Adults can face a range of barriers in seeking to return to learning, such as cost, accessibility, and confidence. IES conducts in-depth analysis of participation in vocational training, apprenticeships, and higher education among mature learners, highlighting where gaps exist and how policies might be reformed to widen access. In parallel, we explore the effectiveness of careers advice and guidance services, particularly how they can be tailored to meet the needs of workers in early, mid-career or those transitioning between sectors due to redundancy, automation, or changing personal circumstances.
Linking skills to workforce development
IES also examines the intersection of adult skills with workforce development strategies, helping employers to understand the value of investing in staff learning and the long-term benefits of supporting career progression. By engaging with policymakers on these themes, we provide evidence to shape reforms in lifelong learning entitlements, skills funding, and adult education frameworks. Our research ensures that discussions about productivity, growth, and inclusion are firmly grounded in the realities of how adults acquire new skills and navigate their careers. Ultimately, IES’ work positions adult skills and careers as central to building a dynamic, fair, and future-ready labour market.