The Learning and Work Institute, formed out of the merger of adult learning body Niace and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, will celebrate its launch tonight.

The two bodies, which have been in a strategic alliance since February 2015, have formed a new “independent research, development and campaigning organisation” covering learning, skills and employment. The merger was approved at Niace’s annual general meeting in November, and will combine the two organisations under one governance structure. The new organisation will offer research and development project services, policy development, statistical analysis, events, conferences and campaigns.

Back in July, Maggie Galliers CBE, chair of the Niace board, said that the merger would secure the future of both organisations and provide the sector with a powerful voice.

On the launch of the Learning and Work Institute, which will take place tonight in Canary Wharf in London, chief executive David Hughes (pictured) said: “There has never been a more important time for learning, employment and inclusion issues to be tackled together. With 5 million adults in the UK lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills, alongside widening skills gaps, we believe learning investment needs to increase for people across their careers and to support people into active retirement.” 

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