Statement by the Chair of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel regarding the Lifelong Learning Review

STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE CHAIR OF THE CHILDREN, EDUCATION AND HOME AFFAIRS SCRUTINY PANEL

ON TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2026

Review into Lifelong Learning

I just want to say a few words about the Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel's review into lifelong learning which was published on 13th February. It's a busy time, so for any States Members who have not yet had the opportunity to read our report, I'll briefly highlight some of the main findings and recommendations and also the reasons why the Panel believed this review was necessary.

Background:

This review was undertaken because lifelong vocational learning is central to Jersey's resilience. As work changes rapidly, people need opportunities to gain new skills not just at the start of their careers, but throughout their lives. Our Panel therefore examined how well Jersey's current system supports apprenticeships, technical qualifications, professional retraining and other forms of vocational learning.

We gathered written submissions from stakeholders and the public and engaged directly with the Jersey Youth Assembly to understand young people's experiences. We also appointed Professor Ellen Boeren, an expert in lifelong learning from the University of Glasgow, to provide comparative analysis and identify lessons from other jurisdictions. In addition, we held public hearings to further inform our work. What we discovered was a system with real strengths, but also significant challenges that limit access, progression and future readiness.

Findings:

The Panel identified 33 findings across the review, reflecting both strengths and systemic challenges within Jersey's lifelong vocational learning landscape.

• Early-career vocational pathways were found to be well established and effective, with Highlands College delivering strong Level 2 and 3 programmes and employers consistently valuing the contribution of apprentices.

• The Panel learnt that adult learners face significant financial, structural and cultural barriers, particularly when seeking to progress beyond Level 3 or retrain later in life.

• The Highlands College estate is outdated and no longer able to fully support modern, industry standard vocational training.

• The system is fragmented, with provision spread across numerous providers, limited coordination, and no single, accessible source of information for learners and employers.

• The system is exposed to UK qualification reforms, with the introduction of T levels and V levels and planned phasing out of BTECs creating uncertainty around future pathways.

Recommendations:

To address these challenges, the Panel has put forward 20 recommendations, with key areas highlighted:

• Improved information, visibility and cultural change: The Panel recommends the creation of a single online portal for apprenticeships and vocational courses, supported by communications campaigns to raise the profile of vocational learning and challenge the persistent perception that these routes are "second best." The Panel stresses the need to promote a culture of lifelong learning and continuous skills development so that Islanders can adapt, progress, and contribute to Jersey's long-term economic resilience.

• Stronger adult pathways and funding reform: Recommendations include introducing modular and flexible learning options, clarifying eligibility rules, improving support for retraining, and redesigning funding systems so that learners of all ages can access opportunities on an equitable basis.

• Investment in infrastructure, data and coordination: The Panel proposes developing a modern lifelong learning hub at Highlands College, standardising data collection across providers, strengthening labour market intelligence and reforming apprenticeship subsidies and business support so that employers, including small businesses and sole traders, can participate more easily.

Conclusion

Overall, the Panel found a vocational learning system with committed providers, strong early- career pathways, and clear enthusiasm from employers. But the Panel found that the lifelong aspect of lifelong learning is underdeveloped. Adults seeking to retrain or change careers face too many barriers, and the system lacks the coherence, visibility and modern infrastructure needed for the future.

Lifelong vocational learning will be essential to Jersey's economic resilience, social inclusion and workforce sustainability. Strengthening it will ensure Islanders of all ages can adapt, progress and contribute to a modern, dynamic economy. In a period of rapid technological change, increasing automation and the emergence of new green and digital skills, it is vital that Jersey has a lifelong vocational learning system that is flexible, adaptable and capable of futureproofing the workforce, so the Island remains resilient and equips islanders with transferrable skills.