'More adult education opportunities needed in London'

London Assembly committee writes to mayor over fears not enough adults have opportunities in education, reports Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Sadiq Khan has been urged by City Hall politicians to boost adult education opportunities in London.

In a recent letter to the mayor, the London Assembly’s economy committee said organisations representing learners, providers and employers all felt that City Hall “could do more to improve the delivery and outcomes of adult education” in the capital.

Hina Bokhari, the Liberal Democrat chair of the cross-party committee, said in her letter to Khan that “adult education can transform people’s lives by enabling them to secure a job and progress in their career”, but that it was currently “not reaching the number of Londoners that it could do”.

Among other suggestions, the committee has recommended that the mayor work with colleges and training providers to ensure a greater availability of mentors to support new learners, and that he should work with Job Centre Plus to ensure work coaches consistently promote adult education to learners and support them to access it.

A spokesperson for Khan said: “It’s vital we give Londoners the skills they need to get them into good jobs and boost the economy, that’s why the mayor has expanded the adult education budget to ensure all Londoners can access the skills and job training they need to progress in this city.

“The mayor has received the assembly’s letter and will be responding in due course.”

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