Adult education programmes are among the most important social priorities, playing a significant role in strengthening communities, improving employment opportunities and supporting
lifelong personal development. Enhancing an adult’s professional skills cannot be separated from their broader intellectual, cultural and spiritual development. Access to education throughout life enables people not only to acquire new qualifications and adapt to changing labour market demands, but also to develop their abilities, regain confidence and make a meaningful contribution to society.
The importance of adult learning has been highlighted by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has announced the winners of his fifth annual Adult Learning Awards. The awards recognise Londoners who have transformed their lives through education, changed careers, returned to employment or progressed professionally, as well as the teachers, training providers, employers and community organisations supporting their achievements.
Since the awards were established, more than 90 winners and finalists have been recognised across a wide range of sectors, including technology, social care, business and sport. Their experiences demonstrate that education is not limited to childhood or formal academic institutions. On the contrary, lifelong learning can provide opportunities for personal transformation at any stage of adulthood.
One of this year's most notable recipients was Elise Harrison from Westminster, who received the Inspirational Adult Learner of the Year award. Her story illustrates how education can become a turning point in an individual's life. Having overcome significant personal challenges, including alcohol dependency and difficulties maintaining employment, Harrison joined Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) in September 2023.
Her subsequent professional development has enabled her to support others facing similar difficulties. She now works with the drug and alcohol charity V-I-A, helping people affected by substance misuse and mental health challenges. Her experience demonstrates that adult education can have an impact extending far beyond individual professional advancement, creating opportunities for people to become active contributors to their communities and support others facing social challenges.
The awards also recognised the contribution of employers to developing professional skills and expanding access to employment. Housing association Peabody received the Champion Employer for Skills and Apprenticeships award. In 2023, the organisation established the Peabody Academy to create additional routes into employment in the housing sector. Since its launch, the initiative has helped more than 200 London apprentices secure jobs in housing, customer service, leadership and management.
Such programmes demonstrate the importance of cooperation between educational institutions, employers and public authorities. Providing adults with access to professional training helps address skills shortages, improves employment prospects and enables businesses and public services to recruit people with the qualifications they need.
Adult education also has a wider social and cultural dimension. Professional training alone cannot fully address the challenges facing modern society. The development of critical thinking, communication skills, cultural awareness and intellectual independence is equally important. Educational programmes give adults opportunities to broaden their horizons, engage with new ideas and strengthen their capacity to participate in social and civic life.
This broader understanding of lifelong learning is particularly relevant at a time when technological transformation, economic restructuring and demographic changes are reshaping labour markets across Europe. Adults increasingly need opportunities to update their knowledge and acquire new competencies throughout their working lives. At the same time, education can help combat social exclusion, reduce inequality and provide people with the confidence to overcome personal and professional obstacles.
London's recognition of adult education is also reflected in its preparations to host the WorldSkills UK National Finals in 2027 and 2028. The competitions, which bring together apprentices and students from across the United Kingdom, will represent the largest skills competition to take place in the capital in more than a decade. The initiative is expected to provide an additional platform for showcasing vocational education, professional excellence and opportunities for skills development.
The fifth annual Adult Learning Awards ceremony took place at City Hall on Thursday, 12 November. It was hosted by Gogglebox personality and education consultant Baasit Siddiqui and brought together approximately 170 learners, educators, employers and representatives of community organisations from across London. The programme included a performance by Music Performance and Production students from City of Westminster College, part of United Colleges Group.
Speakers included Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, and historian and researcher Professor Olivette Otele, who attended as the ceremony's special guest. The awards were sponsored by Ascentis and NCFE, with FE Week acting as media partner.
Ultimately, the recognition of adult education should be understood as an investment not only in the economy but also in human potential. Programmes that combine professional training with intellectual, cultural and personal development help people overcome barriers, discover new opportunities and contribute more actively to society. The experiences celebrated at London's Adult Learning Awards demonstrate that lifelong education can transform individual lives while simultaneously strengthening the social and economic foundations of entire communities.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said “Congratulations to all this year’s winners and finalists. Their stories show how adult education can help Londoners get ahead in their careers, help employers find people with the skills they need and build stronger communities.
“At a time when technology is changing the way we work, I want more Londoners to have that opportunity, whether they’re returning to work, looking for a better job or learning something new. That’s why we’re investing in adult education and working with employers to make sure the training on offer gives Londoners a route into good jobs and helps businesses find the skilled people they need.
Baasit Siddiqui, Director of Siddiqui Education Ltd, said: “I’m incredibly privileged to be hosting the Adult Learning Awards 2026 and celebrating individuals who demonstrate the courage, curiosity and commitment to embrace education at every stage of life.
“Working across the education ecosystem, from children as young as seven through to adults, I see first-hand how transformative learning can be. Education is about so much more than qualifications or certificates. It’s about developing confidence, adaptability and the belief that we can continue to grow, regardless of our age or circumstances.
“In a world that is constantly evolving, lifelong learning has never been more important. I have enormous admiration for adults who take that step to learn something new, not only to improve their own opportunities, but to positively impact their families and wider communities.
“To play a part in recognising and celebrating their achievements is something I don’t take lightly, and I’m genuinely excited to be part of such a meaningful occasion.”
Phil Wilkinson, CEO of Ascentis, said: "Ascentis is delighted to sponsor the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards for the fifth year in a row, recognising the outstanding learners, tutors and providers who make such a difference across the capital. Adult education changes lives, helping Londoners to gain the confidence, skills and qualifications they need to thrive.
"Congratulations to all this year’s winners and finalists, whose achievements reflect the very best of London’s adult learning sector. We are especially pleased to congratulate Urban Care Community Limited, winner of the Ascentis Award for Distinguished Provider of Adult Education. Through its inclusive, employer-led approach, the organisation is helping Londoners overcome barriers, gain valuable skills and build rewarding careers in a key sector to London’
Tracy Round-Turner, Principal of Peabody Academy, said “We set up the Peabody Academy to tackle skills shortages in housing and give more people the chance to learn and build a career.
“Since 2023, we've helped more than 200 London apprentices into roles, with the training and support to reach their full potential. Paying our apprentices the real Living Wage is an important part of that, particularly with London's high cost of living.
“We're really pleased to see this work recognised through the awards and look forward to helping even more people develop their skills and careers.”
Elise Harrison, from Westminster, said “After years of struggling to stay in work, living with undiagnosed autism and ADHD, and rebuilding my life through recovery, I was looking for a place where I could learn, grow and find a sense of purpose.
“Studying at WAES has helped me rediscover my creativity and given me the confidence to believe in my abilities. The encouragement and support from my tutor, Caroline, and the wider team challenged me to aim higher than I thought possible.
“Adult education has changed my life. It has shown me that it is never too late to start again and that, with the right support and opportunities, anything is possible.” Photo by Robert Garstka, Wikimedia commons.
