Monday, 07 December 2009 22:22 UK attitudes towards learning throughout life are outdated, warns education charity Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), which hosts its annual conference tomorrow.

LLUK, the Sector Skills Council for post-compulsory education, claims Britain has a long way to go before fully embracing the opportunities created by lifelong learning. The organisation believes the UK needs to address the skills and training of its workforce, including those who deliver it, if the nation is to regain its international competitiveness post-recession.

Keynote speakers at tomorrow's conference in London include Stephen Uden, head of skills and economic affairs at Microsoft, Dame Lynne Brindley, chief executive of the British Library, and LLUK's chair Sir David Melville. They will discuss measures to tackle rising unemployment, boost productivity and engage communities through lifelong learning.

The conference is the only one of its kind that brings such high profile leaders and practitioners together to debate why lifelong learning is crucial to prevent a whole generation being left behind in the skills race. It will be hosted by journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.