In a recent FE Week article, Caroline McDonald, CEO of HOLEX (the lead professional body for Adult Community Education and Learning) emphasises the growing need for investment in adult education to bridge the widening skills gap exacerbated by the AI revolution.  
 
As AI transforms industries and the workforce, adults who lack digital literacy and technical skills risk being left behind. McDonald highlights how underfunding of adult education, particularly since 2010, has resulted in millions of adults missing out on opportunities for reskilling. 

Dipa Ganguli, Principal of WM College and Chair of HOLEX, underscores the importance of adult education in the digital age. She stresses that adult colleges play a critical role in combatting disinformation and equipping learners with the tools to navigate a rapidly evolving digital world. She says, “We can be an effective part of the arsenal against activities that undermine all that we—as educators—are trying to achieve in building a cohesive society.” 
 
Ganguli argues that without proper investment in adult education, the socio-economic and digital divide will continue to widen, leaving millions of adults unprepared for future workforce demands. 

The article calls for greater government investment in adult learning and digital skills training to ensure that adults are not left behind in the AI revolution. Without adequate resources and a focused strategy, the UK risks exacerbating inequalities and hindering overall economic progress. It is crucial to prioritise adult education in the national conversation on AI and technological advancement. 

For more details, you can read the full article here.