Unveiled by the Prime Minister on 29 September, the new UK adult education plan will, among other things, give those over 18 and without an A-level or equivalent certification the opportunity to benefit from free university courses in domains that are lacking manpower skills. Against the backdrop of an economy disrupted by the health pandemic, the government is seeking to " transform the foundations of the skills system so that everyone has the chance to train and retrain", explained the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Starting in April 2021, those 18 and over and without final secondary education certification will be able to undertake, free-of-charge, a variety of courses to boost their skills in domains that employers deem to be essential. These courses can be taken at the time and place that best suits the student. Called the ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ and funded via the National Skills Fund, the system is unprecedented, as until now the government has only supported adults up to the age of 23 in securing final secondary level certification (A-Level equivalent), and on a very limited range of topics.
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