WULF Learners Report 2025 – Celebrating the Power of Learning in Wales

Funded by Welsh Government and delivered through TUC Cymru and our partner trade unions, WULF opens the door to learning for thousands of workers every year, giving people the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
This year’s report, based on survey responses from over 800 learners, highlights once again that WULF is not just a training programme – it is a catalyst for personal growth, better work, and fairer workplaces

Key Highlights from the 2025 Report
 

Learning that builds confidence and changes lives

•    90 per cent of learners reported a boost in confidence.
•    Most participants said their communication and self motivation improved; skills that benefit both their working lives and their wider communities.

Opening doors for non traditional learners

WULF continues to reach workers who are often under represented in adult learning:
•    23 per cent of learners reported having a disability.
•    36 per cent had childcare responsibilities.
•    A higher than average proportion of learners came from minority ethnic backgrounds.
•    Half of participants had not done any training in over six months before engaging with WULF – showing WULF’s success in reconnecting people with lifelong learning.

Real impact in workplaces across Wales

For those who took part in longer courses:
•    85 per cent felt more able to support colleagues.
•    Nearly a third reported significant improvements in job performance.
•    Many reported greater job satisfaction, clearer career aspirations, and an improved work–life balance.
And importantly:
•    14 per cent secured a new job role as a direct result of their training.
•    And of those, 76 per cent received a pay rise.

Learning leads to more learning

WULF sparks ongoing commitment and development:
•    87 per cent felt encouraged to continue learning.
•    78 per cent had either already progressed into further training or planned to do so within the next year.
From digital skills and coaching to mental health training and job specific CPD, WULF enables workers to build the skills they need for today – and tomorrow.

Delivered through the strength of the trade union movement

Union support remains at the heart of WULF:
•    Learners who engaged with union reps or project staff were significantly more likely to report positive outcomes.
•    Among non union members, six per cent chose to join a union after accessing WULF learning – evidence of the value of trade union-led support.

Why WULF matters

Whether it’s helping someone return to learning after decades, supporting career progression, improving mental wellbeing, or giving workers the essential skills to thrive in a changing economy, WULF continues to demonstrate the life-changing impact of union-led learning.

At a time when fair work, inclusion and upskilling are more important than ever, WULF stands as one of Wales’s most successful and empowering learning programmes.