Milestones in adult education
1903Workers' Educational Association created by trade unions, co-operative movement and university extension authorities to provide higher education to working people
1919
Ministry of Reconstruction, Adult Education Committee's final report led to local authorities being charged with providing adult education
1921
British Institute of Adult Education founded to promote adult education (became Niace in 1983)
1970s
Open University opened using technology and broadcasting to provide non-standard route to university degrees.
Russell report proposed adult education for all
1980s
Access courses offer route to HE for adults without A-levels. University of the Third Age (U3A) founded as self-managed co-operatives for older people no longer in full-time work to pursue informal learning
1998
David Blunkett's Learning Age green paper saw dramatic widening of participation in adult learning through Ufi, Individual Learning Accounts, Union Learning Fund, Adult and Community Learning Fund
1999
Moser report revealed between 5 and 7 million functionally illiterate and innumerate adults and led to government Skills for Life strategy to give all adults basic skills
 2006
Leitch report said huge skills shortages threatened UK prosperity. The government responded by redirecting funds to the Train to Gain skills programme
2009
Learning Revolution white paper - revitalising informal learning was launched
2011
Coalition government launches national Review of Informal Adult Continuing Learning