Starting this Parliament, the United Kingdom (UK) Government is providing £2.5 billion (£3 billion when including Barnett funding for devolved administrations) for a new National Skills Fund (NSF). This is a significant investment which has the potential to deliver new opportunities to generations of adults who may have been previously left behind. The NSF builds on extensive user research and engagement with local areas and employers undertaken through the National Retraining Scheme (NRS). To ensure the effective implementation of adult training initiatives and encourage a positive employer response, it is crucial to understand how employers make hiring and training decisions to meet their skills needs. As such, the Department for Education (DfE) commissioned Learning and Work Institute (L&W) to undertake research to explore the views of employers in sectors considered to be at lower risk of automation and showing potential for future growth: Professional, Scientific and Technical; Accommodation and Food; Information and Communication; and Construction. The research sought to: (1) establish a better understanding of employer behaviour, motivations and decision-making in relation to training provision; (2) review their initial views on the proposed elements of the NRS; and (3) explore what needs to be in place to ensure employers can successfully engage with the NRS. This summary report presents the key findings of the research and highlights considerations for the DfE in relation to the future design and development of adult skills initiatives. The report refers to the NRS, as this was the context in which the research took place, but the findings will continue to be used to inform wider adult skills policy, including the National Skills Fund.