Millions of adults are aiming to improve their job prospects by developing skills, according to new research.

The research, from Association of Colleges (AOC), shows that 21% of respondents plan to gain further qualifications over the next 12 months, while a third of these (31%) aim to train during the economic downturn. 

The report also found that 8.4m people have changed career in the last three years, while 3.2m plan to do so over the next year.

David Collins, president of the Association of Colleges, said: “Understandably the current economic situation will trigger people to reassess their situation and to come to bold decisions about their future. Quite rightly people will be looking at the qualifications they have got and those they need to get to fulfil their future aspirations.”