Learning and Work Institute

What Learning and Work Institute does

Learning and Work Institute is an independent UK policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and employment. Registered as a charity (no. 1002775) and company limited by guarantee (no. 2603322), headquartered in Leicester, it was formed in 2017 through the merger of the National Learning and Work Institute and the Centre for Learning and Work Research, with institutional roots traceable to 1918. Its work centres on statistical analysis, programme evaluation, and policy advice across adult learning, essential skills, apprenticeships and technical education, youth employment, and the health-and-employment intersection.

The organisation operates a portfolio of interconnected programmes rather than a single software product. Core research assets include the Adult Participation in Learning Survey (running since 1996) and the Labour Market Dashboard, an interactive monthly analysis of ONS labour market statistics. Operational programmes include the DWP-commissioned Labour Market Evidence Programme (delivered with the Institute for Employment Studies), the JobsPlus community-led employment support pilot (co-funded with Youth Futures Foundation and active across England), the VocTech Challenge, and the Connect to Work policy support initiative. Flagship convening assets include the annual Employment and Skills Convention and the Essential Skills Summit, alongside the Get the Nation Learning public campaign.

Revenue is generated through commissioned research and evaluation for UK government departments (DWP, DfE, Ministry of Defence), devolved administrations (Welsh Government, partners in Scotland), Mayoral Strategic Authorities (Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Greater London Authority), and charitable foundations (Nuffield, Health Foundation, Youth Futures Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Robertson Trust, Gatsby, ESRC, Ufi VocTech Trust, among others), supplemented by event sponsorships, attendance fees, and supporter network engagement. Customer outreach is concentrated among policymakers, practitioners, and the employment and skills sector rather than commercial end-markets.

Name

Learning and Work Institute

Legal name

Learning and Work Institute

Website

https://learningandwork.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Learning and Work Institute is an independent UK policy and research charity that conducts statistical analysis, evaluation, and policy advice on lifelong learning, skills, and employment, serving government departments, devolved administrations, Mayoral Strategic Authorities, and charitable foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Skills/Employment Analysis

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI), Senior Workforce Transition & Encore Career Learning (Post-retirement work) (EDAAAMAE)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• Skills and employment research
• Adult learning programmes
• Labour market analysis
• Lifelong learning research

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research and Evaluation Services: The organisation conducts research, analysis, and evaluation for government departments, foundations, and strategic partners. This includes policy research, programme evaluation, and evidence reviews.
2. Events and Conferences: The organisation generates revenue through sponsorships and attendance fees for events such as the Employment and Skills Convention, Essential Skills Summit, and other professional development events.
3. Campaign Activities: Support for campaigns such as Get the Nation Learning through partnerships and supporter networks.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Learning and Work Institute is an independent policy and research organisation that conducts statistical analysis, policy research, programme evaluation, and pilot delivery focused on lifelong learning, skills, and employment. It produces long-running survey series, labour-market dashboards, commissioned research reports for government and charitable foundations, and convenes the sector through flagship events.

Product overview

Learning and Work Institute operates as a unified policy and research organisation offering a portfolio of interconnected services rather than a single software product. The core offering consists of research and analysis on employment, skills, and lifelong learning (including the Adult Participation in Learning Survey and Labour Market Dashboard), combined with evaluation and policy development capabilities. These are delivered alongside campaigns (Get the Nation Learning), events (Employment and Skills Convention), and place-based pilots such as JobsPlus. The Labour Market Evidence Programme represents a major research partnership with DWP and IES, while VocTech Challenge and Connect to Work support represent targeted policy implementation initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Employment and Skills Convention: A major annual event bringing together the employment and skills sectors to tackle key issues in policy and practice.
• Get the Nation Learning
• JobsPlus

Products and services

• Learning and Work Data Analysis
• Labour Market Dashboard
• Adult Participation in Learning Survey
• JobsPlus

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 270 people moved into work through JobsPlus programme since July 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Age UKminorOthersListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work in recent years
• Blagrave TrustminorOthersListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work in recent years
• Central London ForwardcoreOthersPartnership on youth employment trailblazer evaluation and Youth Guarantee Trailblazer (Full Potential programme)
• Centre For Ageing BetterminorOthersListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work in recent years
• Centre for Progressive PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder and potential strategic partner
• City & GuildsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Clarion FuturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Department for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government department commissioning research on adult learning and skills
• Department for Work and PensionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government department co-funding JobsPlus pilot and Labour Market Evidence Programme
• GenerationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Greater London AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on employment and skills policy, Adult Learning Awards, and youth employment initiatives
• Greater Manchester Combined AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on employment and skills devolution and policy development
• Local Government AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership working with local government on employment and skills policy
• Maximus UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• MedrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelsh further education body working in partnership on skills and employment policy in Wales
• Ministry Of DefenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Morley College LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• National Open College NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Open UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Phoenix GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• S.E. Strategic Partnership For MigrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership researching ESOL provision for 16-19-year-olds across the South East
• Serco LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• The Edge FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a main funder of Learning and Work Institute's work
• Welsh GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevolved government partnership on employment and skills policy work in Wales
• West Midlands Combined AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Adult Learning Awards and employment and skills policy development
• Institute for Employment Studies (IES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Labour Market Evidence Programme and co-evaluator of JobsPlus pilot
• Communities that WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting delivery of JobsPlus pilots across England
• MDRCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based research organisation providing expertise on JobsPlus model adapted from US pilots; additional support partner
• The Carers FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with funding from National Lottery Community Fund for Driving Change in Higher Education programme
• Edinburgh CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Robertson Trust funding for low-income worker progression programme in Scotland
• Shaw TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and designing innovation trial for young Londoners with health conditions, with L&W evaluating
• West London AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launching innovation trial for young Londoners with health conditions
• Cumbria Youth AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in health and employment webinar series under Labour Market Evidence Programme
• Disability InsightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in health and employment webinar series under Labour Market Evidence Programme

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Cities: Independent UK think tank producing data-driven research on urban economies, skills, and labour markets. Comparable to L&W in delivering policy research and analysis for mayors, combined authorities, and central government.
• New Economics Foundation (NEF): Independent UK think tank combining economics, social research, and policy advocacy on work, wellbeing, and inequality. Similar independent, mission-driven research model with mixed grant and contract funding.
• National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR): Long-standing UK economic and social research institute producing labour market analysis and policy evaluation. NIESR's social-science research methodology and government/funder mix closely mirrors L&W's operating model.
• Centre for Progressive Policy: UK think tank focused on inclusive growth, skills, and productivity at the regional and national level. Listed as a partner of L&W and operates as a comparable independent policy research organisation serving similar audiences.
• Institute for Employment Studies (IES): UK-based independent research institute focused on employment, labour markets, and skills policy. IES is L&W's co-delivery partner on the DWP Labour Market Evidence Programme, making it the closest operational peer in mission and customer base.
• Policy Studies Institute (PSI): UK social policy research institute producing evidence on work, welfare, and education. Comparable to L&W in conducting commissioned evaluations, social-science research, and policy-facing analysis for government and foundations.

Broad incumbents

• Resolution Foundation: UK think tank focused on living standards, jobs, and low- to middle-income workers. Overlaps with L&W on labour market evidence, in-work progression, and adult skills, and shares similar funding sources (Nuffield, etc.).
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation: UK poverty and social policy research foundation. Comparable in its research-and-evidence model and overlaps with L&W on disadvantage, employment support, and adult learning for low-income groups.
• IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research): One of the UK's largest progressive think tanks covering jobs, skills, and public services. Larger and broader in scope than L&W but competes for the same government, foundation, and media attention in employment and skills policy.

Others

• City & Guilds: Major UK vocational qualifications and skills body. Listed as a partner of L&W and operates in the adjacent skills and apprenticeship space, providing credentialing infrastructure that L&W's research and policy work complements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn3IP0i3Lq9e5I4G9T5c5Kg
• Facebookfacebook.com/learningandwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learning-and-work-institute
• Xx.com/LearnWorkUK

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Learning and Work Institute