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The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) established an independent committee of inquiry to review the current state of adult learning in further education (FE) colleges in England and to provide advice on: the current position of adult learners in FE; the longer-term implications of current policy and skills strategies; trends in participation and identified concerns; the demand for adult learning in FE; and successful initiatives in widening participation. The Committee identified the following three key themes as being central to the work that colleges undertake with adults: access to employability, including welfare to work programs and provision of support for literacy, numeracy and language; workforce development including supporting employers and employees in developing skills, knowledge and understanding; and creating and sustaining cultural values. Recommendations include: a lifelong learning strategy to complement the 'Skills for life strategy' (indexed at TD/IRD 88.171); coherent policy and guidance on course fees in FE; and recognising the strategic role of colleges when planning and funding policy in post-16 education.