The Education Secretary could learn from courses he is axing

MOST post-school education in the UK was free or very low cost until the 1980s.

As governments started to hike up fees, my former trade union tried to warn of the consequences with the slogan, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance’” Tory governments didn’t listen.

When I went to university the fee was £50 per year. My grandson is now expected to pay £9,250 per year in fees alone, so that many are graduating with debts of more than £60,000.

Further education has been cut to the bone since 2010. And second -chance part-time learning through further education colleges, the Workers Educational Association and University Extra-mural Departments, lifelines for many older learners and citizens, has almost totally disappeared.

This month, the Government has insisted that all this is about to change, that the post-covid world will be based on a skills revolution, with more training opportunities, most of it free up to Level 3, (A-level standard). Boris Johnson presented this as part of his “levelling up” strategy.

But it looks as if Boris Johnson forgot to tell his Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson. Williamson has just announced – without any prior review or discussion - the closure next March of one of the few remaining opportunities for part-time adult skills development, the Union Learning Fund (ULF).

Companies emphasise how the courses raise workers’ aspirations to move beyond low-skilled and lowpaid jobs, and consider training for new emerging jobs and industries. Workers, many with bad school experiences or whose learning was disrupted by care issues, family crises, etc, gain skills, boost confidences, consider promotion, and raise their aspirations at work and beyond.

The scheme has run for over 20 years. Last year it supported 200,000 learners acquiring new skills.

No reason has been provided for the closure, even though a 2018 evaluation estimated a net contribution to the economy of £1.4bn through increased jobs, wages and productivity.

Mr Williamson refused to listen to trade union warnings on A-level results and on virus spread in primary schools and universities.

He would be well advised to learn something about the Union Learning Fund before closing down a fine success story. He might even improve his ministerial performance by actually attending a ULF course.

Daniel Vulliamy, former Head of Lifelong Learning at the University of Hull.