NIACE adult participation in learning survey 2005

At first sight, the figures reported in the 2005 NIACE survey of adult participation in learning are encouraging. There is a marked increase in the proportion of adults reporting current and recent participation in learning, reversing the decline reported in the last four years.

Given the demographic context facing the UK, however, the 2005 findings must be of concern. Diminishing cohorts of young people can only fill one in three of the vacancies for new and replacement jobs of the next decade. The other places will need to be filled by people currently outside the labour force, and by older people taking on new roles. On the evidence of this survey, these groups are least likely to participate in adult learning.

This survey continues the series documenting adult participation in learning in the UK. Using responses of around 5,000 adults in the UK, it offers key findings, breaking down participation, trends in participation and future intentions to learn by gender, socio-economic class, age, employment and the regions. It provides up-to date data as well as a valuable means for comparison over time.

Click here for more information about Better news this time?, which reports on the headline findings of the 2005 survey