Meet Rajesh: Adapting to a changing world through lifelong learning
After more than 30 years in IT, Rajesh could have easily rested on his experience. Instead, he chose to reinvent himself.
When rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) began transforming the tech sector, Rajesh realised it was time to upskill and prepare for the future. Taking a career break for family reasons gave him space to reflect on the speed of change, and the importance of staying ahead. That’s when he decided to enrol on a Skills Bootcamp in AI at New City College.
“I realised that if I go back to work, I need to understand what’s changing and where I want to be in five years.”
“I’ve worked in IT for about 30 years, but I saw how quickly AI was taking off,” Rajesh says. “I realised that if I go back to work, I need to understand what’s changing and where I want to be in five years. This course has been the perfect stepping stone back into work and has given me a set of skills and a road map – I know exactly what I’m going to do next.”
Learning for the future
Nearly a quarter of UK businesses now use AI technologies, and demand for digital skills continues to surge. For Rajesh, returning to learning has been empowering — not just professionally, but personally.
“I don’t know everything about AI, but now I understand how it connects to my previous experience,” he explains. “The course has a great balance of theory and practical work. I’ve learned what I need to re-enter the workplace, and I can also guide my children about the world they’re growing up in. It’s given me direction, confidence and a clear sense of what comes next.”
Why adult learning matters
Rajesh believes courses like this are essential for helping people keep pace with technological change — especially for adults who need accessible and funded routes back into employment.
“These opportunities are especially important for those on low incomes — they open doors, build confidence and help people contribute to the economy.”
“The world is changing very quickly, and AI is at the heart of that change,” he says. “If people don’t have access to courses like these, they’ll find it hard to keep up. These opportunities are especially important for those on low incomes — they open doors, build confidence and help people contribute to the economy. Without them, many adults might not be able to go back to work at all.”
A message to policymakers
For Rajesh, investing in adult education isn’t optional, it’s essential for the country’s future.
“Adult education gives people a stepping stone into work and helps them adapt to the new world we’re moving into. Without it, we risk having a workforce that can’t keep up with change. If I could speak to the government, I’d ask: what kind of future do you want for this country? Do you want people in employment, driving growth and generating revenue — or people stuck without opportunities? The decision is yours.”
“Adult education gives people a stepping stone into work and helps them adapt to the new world we’re moving into. Without it, we risk having a workforce that can’t keep up with change.”
Find out more
Discover flexible, part-time and funded courses for adults at New City College and join the campaign to protect lifelong learning.
