Establish dedicated funds within UK and EU member states’ national education budgets exclusively targeting the development of lifelong learning programmes funded via a minimum % of annual government spending. This should promote regional autonomy and empowerment over education and skills policy.

Enhance collaboration frameworks between the UK and European nations in the field of education to facilitate knowledge exchange, cultural understanding, and skills development across borders. This should include cross-border sector or subject specific networks and partnerships and an Erasmus+ style year abroad for learners across the further and higher education spectrum.

Prioritise digital literacy education and training programmes as integral elements of UK and EU education strategies to ensure that citizens are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape by fostering innovation and addressing challenges related to digital transformation effectively.

Encourage EU-based partnerships, modelled on British Regional Skills Improvement Partnerships, between educational institutions, government bodies, and private sector entities to co-create learning opportunities tailored to the evolving needs of industries and society, promoting innovation and competitiveness.

Invest further in the development of flexible learning pathways, including via microcredentials, short courses, remote or hybrid learning platforms, specifically adapted for apprenticeships and vocational training to enable individuals to acquire new skills and adapt to changing job markets.

Expand measures to mandate national or supranational standards for education providers to eliminate barriers to education and ensure equitable access for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

Encourage employers to invest in the continuous professional development (CPD) of their workforce by offering training opportunities, upskilling programmes, and career advancement support, thereby enhancing productivity and retaining talent. They should set a minimum training level for every worker to take at least 1 week of upskilling per year, and 30 days per year on average, as part of all future job contracts.

Support the technical implementation of standardised tools, modelled on the Europass, for recognising prior learning experiences, both formal, and informal, such as work-based learning and volunteering. This would internationally validate skills and competencies acquired outside traditional educational settings.

Create a Skills Entitlement Framework across the UK and Europe, dedicated to advancing lifelong learning, which guarantees the acquisition of a set of core competencies and skills (e.g. oracy, literacy, numeracy, interpersonal and professional development). This will also feed into further development of core specialisations for priority sectors such as health and social care and education.

Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and impact of lifelong learning policies and initiatives. These should be under the core remit of an established Skills England or Institute for British Productivity in the UK and, in the EU, an explicit task for the Economic and Social Council.