In Lifelong Learning: A View from the Coal Face, the author revisits research undertaken in 1999-2000 which examined how the then current government initiatives could contribute to the development of human potential and more importantly, the whole person; the centre of Rosalie Marsh's personal ethos. This extensive research was undertaken when there was a new focus on Work-Based Learning; an area in which the author was involved as she worked with a wide spectrum of adult learners across the UK. This new direction in learning was in an effort to raise standards,improve skills and meeting national targets in education and training to increase the prosperity of the nation. The author examines various issues and new initiatives of the day and reflects on where we are now.This is the first in the new Lifelong Learning:Personal Effectiveness series by Rosalie Marsh which draws from her extensive skills & experience in sales management in industry and work-based learning in further education;they seek to enable readers to become more effective and confident as they develop themselves throughout their lives and careers towards a successful future.