In the "Adults Learning" autumn issue, the journal staff asked key players in the learning and skills sector what they thought should be at the top of new skills minister Matthew Hancock's in-tray. The new minister shares that his job in the further education and skills sector is to rise to the challenge and play his full part in giving people of all ages what they will need to compete, not just with other European countries, but with rising powers like China, India, and Brazil. He wants to give attention to occupational and technical education with the help of the people in the UK. He also mentions four priority areas for reform.