Attitudes Towards
Adult Education
in the West Midlands

Q1 asked respondents about their current relationship with formal education. In the West Midlands, 20% are currently enrolled; the picture is slightly higher in Birmingham at 24%. The vast majority, over 73% in both areas, are not currently enrolled.

Q2 (base: not currently in education, n=727) shows most people left at 18–24. Birmingham respondents are notably more likely to have stayed in education until 17–18 (33% vs 26% in WM), while the West Midlands sees a higher share leaving at the 10–16 stage.

Q3.1 (base: all, n=1025). A combined 43% of West Midlands respondents correctly understand there is no upper age limit for attending formal education in the UK. Birmingham sits slightly lower at 38%. Misperceptions about age caps, particularly those citing limits of 21–25, represent a significant communications opportunity.

Q3.2 (base: all, n=1025). Perceptions of age limits for work-related retraining are broadly similar to formal education, though more respondents cite younger limits of 21–25. Both regions share an equal 43%/39% who know there is no upper age limit for training. This misperception actively discourages older workers from pursuing upskilling opportunities.

Q3.3 (base: employed, n=833). Two-thirds of employed West Midlands residents say they are not in their dream job, a figure that falls to 59% in Birmingham. This latent career dissatisfaction is a powerful hook for skills retraining messaging: most people want a better career but have not yet acted.

Q4.1 (base: not in education, n=727). A majority in both regions would consider returning to education or training, 57% in the West Midlands and 60% in Birmingham. This latent demand represents a substantial addressable market for providers who can overcome the practical barriers respondents cite.

Q4.2 (base: would consider returning, n=461). Part-time study is the overwhelming preference for potential returners in both regions, 58% in the West Midlands, 54% in Birmingham. Providers that offer flexible, modular programmes address the majority of latent demand. Full-time study attracts only a small minority.

Q5 (base: would not consider returning, n=216). Among those who would not return, disengagement is the single biggest factor, 42% in the West Midlands and 36% in Birmingham simply are not interested. Cost and time are the leading practical barriers; addressing them alone would not overcome the majority.

Q6.1 (base: all, n=1025). Awareness of the government's Lifelong Loan Entitlement Offer is critically low in both regions, 70% of West Midlands adults and 60% of Birmingham residents have never heard of it. The gap is even larger at Birmingham, where 18% say they are strongly aware vs 14% in the wider region.

Q6.2 (base: aware of LLE, n=333). Even among those who are aware of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement, only 45–46% correctly identify it as a post-18 education loan. Over a third believe it is a home-buying scheme, and 17–20% think it covers energy bills. Mass confusion about the policy's purpose hampers take-up even among those who have heard of it.