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About

Skills for Life Network is a key news, information and signposting resource for teachers, managers, supporters and learners of functional skills and GCSE maths and English, digital skills, ESOL, employability and SEND.

Developed in 2003 by practitioners Barbara Zealley and Caryn Loftus, Skills for Life Network was subsequently part funded by the Learning and Skills Council and played a key role in communicating the Government’s Skills for Life Strategy.

Fully self-supporting since 2007, Skills for Life Network is managed by an editorial team and inspired by a vibrant community of subject specialists who are actively engaged in supporting teaching and learning in the Further Education and Training sector.

The Skills for Life Network website currently has 5000+ unique users per month, and our monthly e-news update has 1500+ active subscribers. Principal areas of interest are:

  • Functional skills and GCSE maths and English
  • ESOL
  • Essential Digital Skills
  • Employability Skills
  • Dyslexia, Specific Learning Difficulties and Learning Disabilities

Our audience includes: Learners, Tutors, Trainers, Assessors, Verifiers, Heads of School, Curriculum Leaders, Principals, Volunteers, Learning Support Workers, Teacher Trainers, Trainee Teachers and Supporters, individuals looking to move into teaching, employers and independent consultants.

There is a representation from a wide range of sectors and organisations, including: Further Education Colleges; Adult and Community Learning; Work-based Learning; Foundation Learning; Workplace Learning; Independent Specialist Colleges; Offender Learning; Universities/Higher Education providers and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

View Skills for Life Network E-News Updates

Contact Details

Skills for Life Network E-News Update February 2023

Skills for Life Network E-News Update March 2023

Check out the Skills for Life Network E-News Update March 2023 for a round up of what’s new and what’s happening in maths, English, ESOL and digital skills in the FE and Training sector.

Skills for Jobs

Skills for Jobs White Paper

The Skills for Jobs White Paper sets out reforms for transforming post-16 education and training, boosting skills and getting more people into work.

Improve your memory, improve your spelling

Functional Skills

Functional skills are practical skills in English, mathematics and ICT that enable learners to deal with practical problems and challenges.

construction - bricks

Employability Skills

Employability defines the knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour you need to get work, stay in work and do your job well. These are employability skills.

Artificial Intelligence tools for teachers

Artificial Intelligence tools for teachers

The Government is investing up to £2m to ensure that all teachers in England will benefit from new tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will help them plan lessons and reduce their workloads.

Downloadable functional skills resources

Downloadable functional skills resources

The Functional Skills Resources subscription website has hit a landmark figure of 300 unique resources available for you to download and use with your learners.

Understanding Tech and AI

Understanding Tech and AI

This series of bitesize podcasts from BBC Sounds provides an engaging and useful introduction to current technology, including AI.

Tenders update

Tenders Update November 2023

Take a look at Tenders Update November 2023 for an overview of the latest opportunities open to providers of services to the Essential Skills sector.