“Focus on more than just qualifications to value women’s adult learning” – Chwarae Teg

20th September 2023
This Adult Learners Week, Chwarae Teg and the Learning and Work Institute are calling for a rethink of how adult education is designed and delivered to make sure that it supports women to achieve their potential.

Research published today (20.09.23) by Wales’ leading gender equality charity, Chwarae Teg and the Learning and Work Institute reveals the multiple benefits to women from adult learning but also the many barriers they face to taking full advantage of learning opportunities.

The findings show that focusing only on outcomes such as qualifications risks ignoring the real value adult learning can have for women in increasing their confidence, wellbeing and determination. These outcomes can have a hugely positive impact on women’s career progression and mental and physical health which in turn fosters positive outcomes for communities across Wales.

Increasing confidence, in particular, can have a significant impact on women’s lives. Those interviewed for the research noted that caring and understanding tutors were key to them building their confidence and helping them to understand what they are capable of. Additionally, some participants interviewed also valued women-only learning environments which they described as supportive as opposed to competitive experiences with men.

While the report makes clear the benefits of adult learning for women, all too often women face a range of additional obstacles which can prevent them from accessing learning and education. Caring responsibilities combined with a lack of high quality, affordable and accessible childcare means that accessing learning opportunities is a particular challenge for many women.

Some groups of women also experience additional barriers to overcome when accessing learning due to their ethnicity, disability, or other personal characteristics. In particular, education providers noted that women from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds faced specific barriers around social exclusion, low literacy and numeracy skills and stigma.

The report contains multiple recommendations across three broad areas to tackle the barriers faced by women accessing adult education.

The first relates to the policy landscape and development of the new Commission on Tertiary Education and Research. The report recommends that the new Commission should have a clear focus on addressing gender-based inequalities in the delivery of post 16 learning.

The second group of recommendations call for the prioritising of person-centred approaches to learning which means that provision should be accessible and flexible with modes of study at places and paces that suit women learners.

The final set of recommendations relates to innovation and further research, in particular calling for a review of outcome measurement frameworks so that they capture the wider benefits of learning – including those around confidence, wellbeing and determination.

The full report and recommendations can be found here:

This research highlights the real value that adult learning has for many women across Wales. While we have known for a long time the positive impact that continued learning can have for women, both in terms of their career and wellbeing, this report really strongly makes the case for us to focus on more than just qualifications, and to recognise the impact of learning on women’s confidence and wellbeing.

“As evidenced in the report, too many women still face multiple barriers to continuing their education and engaging in learning. In order to create a truly gender equal Wales, we need to make sure that women are able to access learning that works for them. None of these barriers come as a surprise and once again remind us of the need for systemic and transformational change to bring about gender equality.

“Importantly, this report provides a number of actions and solutions for Welsh Government and their partners. We now need to see action to ensure that all adult learning provision is person-centred so that it can deliver on the promise of better outcomes for learners and better outcomes for Wales.
Lucy Reynolds
Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg

We’re delighted to launch this research with Chwarae Teg during Adult Learners’ Week and highlight how learning can support women to reach their potential.

“The premise behind Adult Learners’ Week is simple; to encourage people back into learning because learning allows us to fulfil our potential. This report confirms that in highlighting the positive impact learning can have on women’s confidence, wellbeing, and determination.

“However, as our research has shown, for many women there are significant barriers that prevent them from learning such as caring responsibilities and unaffordable childcare. We hope today’s report launch can begin the discussion on how to address these barriers.
Kay Smith
Head of Campaigns, Development & Policy, Learning and Work Institute