The government published a series of research reports on the prior qualifications of: adults undertaking workplace learning in further education (Report 117A); adult apprentices 2011/2012 (Report 117B); adults undertaking classroom-based courses in further education 2011/12 (Report 117C); and adults undertaking skills for life courses in 2010/2011 (Report 117D).
Source: , Research Reports 117A/117B/117C/117D, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report A | Report B | Report C | Report D
Date: 2013-Nov
A report examined the impact of learning below level 2 in further education in England.
Source: Evaluation of the Impact of Learning Below Level 2, Research Report 150, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Oct
A report called for all children's education to include family learning. The report urged investment in family learning to reduce spending on vulnerable families and to aid sustained economic growth.
Source: Family Learning Works: The inquiry into family learning in England and Wales, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Links: Report | Summary | NIACE press release | BBC report
Date: 2013-Oct
A new book examined lifelong learning In European countries.
Source: Ellu Saar, Odd Bjorn Ure, and John Holford (eds), Lifelong Learning in Europe: National patterns and challenges, Edward Elgar Publishing
Links: Summary
Notes: Chapters included:
John Holford and Thushari Welikala, '"Renaissance" without enlightenment: New Labour s learning age 1997-2010'
Elisabet Weedon and Sheila Riddell, 'Has lifelong learning policy and practice in Scotland promoted social inclusion?'
Date: 2013-Sep
A report presented the results of a survey of 2,000 unemployed adults who had studied a further education course in the academic year 2010 to 2011. Many people without a job were motivated to learn to improve their job prospects. They often found out about learning by themselves or with the help of Jobcentre Plus. Learners were very satisfied with their course and felt it had helped them get a job and improved their confidence and motivation to learn in the future.
Source: London Economics and Ipsos MORI, The Economic and Social Benefits Associated with Further Education and Skills: Learning for those not in employment, Research Report 127, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Aug
A report examined adult and continuing education in Europe, and the ways in which it could be promoted by policy-makers.
Source: Paolo Federighi, Adult and Continuing Education in Europe: Using public policy to secure a growth in skills, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Aug
A paper examined the points in the life cycle at which adult learning took place in Europe, and whether it led to a medium or high level of educational attainment. A rise in educational attainment, as well as participation in education and training, happened mostly at the age range of 25-29. However, investment across the life cycle by cohorts older than 25 still occurred: in most countries examined, participation in education and training, as well as educational attainment, increased observably across all cohorts.
Source: Miroslav Beblavy, Anna-Elisabeth Thum, and Galina Potjagailo, When Do Adults Learn? A cohort analysis of adult education in Europe, Working Document 383, Centre for European Policy Studies (Brussels)
Note: Also published as Working Paper D4.3.2, NEUJOBS Research Project (European Commission)
Date: 2013-May
A paper said that over two thirds of people gained qualifications in adult life – often to enhance their career prospects. 71 per cent of people in England, Scotland, and Wales achieved at least one qualification between the ages of 23 and 50, and more than half (53 per cent) did so between the ages of 33 and 50.
Source: Andrew Jenkins, Learning and the Lifecourse: The acquisition of qualifications in adulthood, Working paper 2013/4, Centre for Longitudinal Studies (University of London)
Links: Paper | CLS press release
Date: 2013-Mar
The report of an independent commission made a series of recommendations designed to strengthen the system of adult vocational teaching and learning in England.
Source: Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning, It's About Work Excellent adult vocational teaching and learning, Learning and Skills Improvement Service
Links: Report | Commission press release | AOC press release | NIACE press release
Date: 2013-Mar
An article said that the legitimacy and stability of the social and political order were undermined by persistent inequalities of skills and opportunities. There was a mismatch between the ideal of meritocracy and the reality of a stratified society, both objectively and as they were perceived. This was likely to contribute to the political alienation of disadvantaged groups. In theory adult learning could reduce the skills gap: but in reality it only magnified it, as well educated people and those in work had higher participation rates than poorly educated and unemployed people.
Source: Jan Germen Janmaat and Andy Green, 'Skills inequality, adult learning and social cohesion in the United Kingdom', British Journal of Educational Studies, Volume 61 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Feb
