Making lifelong learning work for everyone

In a rapidly changing world, lifelong learning has become the key to staying relevant. We used to learn to do the work, now learning is the work. It empowers people to keep pace with evolving skill demands, transition between jobs and to participate fully in society, while also fostering social inclusion and resilience. That’s why part of this year’s G20 Education Working Group under South Africa’s presidency touches on skills mobility and lifelong learning.  

It is important we ensure that every adult is empowered to continue learning throughout life. Yet across OECD countries and beyond, Participation is stagnating and remains highly unequal. Those who would benefit most from lifelong learning – adults with lower levels of education and income – are least likely to take part in training. And while short courses are proliferating, they often don’t translate into deeper reskilling. But with the right policies we can build effective adult learning systems that leave no one behind. 

Schleicher, A., 2025. Making lifelong learning work for everyone. OECD Education and Skills Today.