The main aim of NIACE was to promote the study and general advancement of adult continuing education by improving the quality of opportunities available, by increasing the number of adults engaged in formal and informal learning, and by widening access for those communities under-represented in current provision. This was summed up by the words "more, better and different".
Methods
NIACE undertook this work through:
advocacy to national and local government, funding bodies, industry and providers of education and training;
collaboration with providers in all sectors of post-compulsory education and training; and through fostering progression routes for adults seeking to develop pathways as learners;
a commitment to supporting evaluation and monitoring and to high-quality service;
securing informed debate – through research, enquiry, publication and through arranging seminars and conferences;
effective networking – to ensure that lessons learned in one part of the system could be drawn on elsewhere;
ensuring that the best of international practice was available to its members and users;
From 1988, Alan TuckettOBE was the Director of NIACE. The predecessor of Alan Tuckett was Arthur Stock. Its President from 2006 was David Sherlock CBE, and before that Christine King, and before that Richard Smethurst.
Centre for Research into the Older Workforce
The Centre for Research into the Older Workforce is researching ways in which employers, government, unions and the European Union can encourage older workers to delay retirement. It is the only research centre in Europe with a specific remit to look at older workforce issues. Its specific research interests include:
Employer policies and practices in relation to older workers.
CROW has carried out research for the UK Department of Trade and Industry and Department for Work and Pensions on age discrimination. It is also involved in European funded research into the effects of gender and qualifications on work in later life and knowledge management in the automotive industry. CROW has researched older workers' attitudes towards work and retirement. It found that 80% of workers between 51 and 70 would consider delaying retirement, but most would only do if they could work more flexible hours. This research was quoted in a statement by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Professor Stephen McNair was the Director of CROW which, from August 2006 to September 2012, was located at the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. In 2012, it moved to Middlesex UniversityBusiness School London.
Merger to form Learning and Work Institute
With effect from 1 January 2016 NIACE merged with the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion to form a new organisation, the Learning and Work Institute.
