Ealing's Learn Ealing service has received a 'GOOD' Ofsted grading, according to a report presented at the Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel meeting on 1 July 2025.
The report highlighted the role of Learn Ealing as the main provider of adult community education for the London Borough of Ealing. Learn Ealing collaborates with partners to provide courses focused on employment readiness, upskilling, and reskilling. Specific collaborations include providing ESOL, Employability and Digital training to the unemployed in partnership with Ingeus and JCP. Learn Ealing also works with Ealing Soup Kitchen to offer ESOL, financial literacy, and digital skills courses to homeless residents. The service's career pathways work with West London College aims to prevent residents from experiencing long-term unemployment or homelessness.
Learn Ealing's 'GOOD' Ofsted grading contributes to the council's broader strategy to support vulnerable communities and promote economic well-being. The council's Regeneration, Economy & Skills department is responsible for the Council Plan strategic objective on 'creating good jobs', and is responsible for the development and delivery of Ealing's Jobs & Skills Strategy 2024-29.
Work Ealing and Learn Ealing services are focused on the prevent, reduce, delay (PDR) framework that is aligned with the council's Health & Well Being Strategy 2023 – 28. The report states that Learn Ealing is the main provider of adult community education for the London Borough of Ealing, and achieved a 'GOOD' Ofsted grading.
Cristi Gonzalez, Head of Adult Learning and Skills, and Naz Kauser, Head of Employment, Enterprise and Apprenticeships, authored the report. The report also presented data on economic inactivity in Ealing, noting that 18.1% of Ealing's working age population is economically inactive, which is lower than the London and Great Britain averages. The report notes disparities between ethnic groups, with the Asian Ethnic Group experiencing the highest unemployment rate.
The report included a case study on Spark!, a charity working across west London to improve young people's employment prospects. Spark! works in partnership with schools and colleges, and alongside a range of employers, to enhance young people's employability skills and provide work experience opportunities. The meeting information also included a case study on a Temporary Accommodation Pilot, in partnership with the Housing Solutions department, to provide employment support to residents living in temporary accommodation at The Barn (Ruislip).
The Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel also discussed panel operations and climate resilience at the meeting. Climate resilience measures discussed included addressing climate resilience through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Programme, retrofitting existing buildings, prioritizing nature-based solutions, and strengthening community connection and preparedness. The terms of reference state that the scope of the panel is to scrutinise matters relating to the local economy and environmental sustainability of the borough.
