This report from the new Centre for Levelling Up at the University of West London (UWL) looks at one part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda – the provision of educational opportunities in 8 ‘red wall’ areas of the country. It found that the agenda needs to focus on providing better, local learning opportunities and move away from talking about social mobility if it is to improve the lives of those in areas of the Midlands and north of England.
Based on in depth discussions with education leaders in 8 ‘red wall’ areas of the country, the report highlights the need for a more flexible lifelong learning strategy, more localised careers support and an expansion of higher education if the government’s levelling up agenda is to be effective.
The research found a drastic reduction in community-based and introductory learning opportunities, which help older adults and vulnerable people to get back into learning.
Even where entry-level learning provision does exist, people are not aware what is available to them and are unable to benefit, with the pandemic only exacerbating challenges around access to careers guidance and work experience schemes. But those areas where universities are more active offer greater opportunities for those at all levels to learn. The report argues that increasing higher education provision will boost opportunity in areas where such provision does not exist.
It also finds that those working in such areas want the language of policymakers to change. Phrases such as social mobility, disadvantaged / left behind and lost generations do not describe what people want or who they are.