"Many adults in Cornwall still live with the consequences of being underestimated or overlooked in their school years," writes the Liberal Democrat town councillor for Liskeard.
The recent focus on NEETs, young people not in employment, education or training, is understandable. The rising numbers are concerning, and the government's investment in technical skills is a positive step. But concentrating only on NEETs overlooks a broader issue. Skills gaps do not stop at 18. In Cornwall, adult education is changing lives quietly, yet it gets little attention or funding.
As a Liberal Democrat town councillor for Liskeard, I have long believed in opportunity at every age. My party has always supported lifelong learning, fairness and second chances. My own story illustrates why adult education deserves equal priority with youth skills in any national strategy.
During my school years, I was advised not to apply for A-levels because I was not expected to achieve the grades. That discouraging message reflected a common attitude then. In the end, I earned 1 A, 2 Bs and 5 Cs. Young people were often judged on narrow expectations, and those judgements could affect their entire lives.
In 2017, I left my job to care for my son. That difficult period prompted me to consider how I could use my abilities. Cornwall Adult Education became a lifeline. I completed two bookkeeping qualifications and then an Access course, which allowed me to study business management at university. These courses provided more than skills. They gave me confidence, independence and a way back to contributing to my community.
The bookkeeping qualifications also led to an unexpected opportunity. I became treasurer of Read Easy Cornwall, an adult literacy charity. In that role, I see adult education's impact from another perspective. Every learner has a story. Some slipped through the education system decades ago. Others have carried the burden of missed learning into adulthood. Many are talented, capable and keen to work, but without literacy they are excluded from jobs, training and everyday independence.
Investment in NEETs is essential, but a thriving economy cannot be built if we ignore adults who were once NEETs themselves and still need support. Adult education transforms families, strengthens communities and offers a second chance at futures they thought were lost. It also benefits local organisations and charities, as people who gain skills often give back.
My commitment to adult learning stems from my own late education. I have witnessed what happens when someone is given the tools they were denied the first time. They do not just rebuild confidence; they rebuild their future. That belief in opportunity, fairness and community drives my work for Liskeard.
Cornwall Needs Adult Education Investment to Close Skills Gaps