Learning and ageing Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 17:22

NIACE welcomes the government's new White Paper on Britain's ageing population - Building a society for all ages, published 13 July 2009 - and in particular the recognition it gives to the role of adult learning in supporting people to make the most of their later years - whether in the labour market, in managing their health and active life, their finances, their relationships and civic engagements.

Professor Stephen McNair, NIACE Associate Director, said:

"Ageing has been a major Government priority for the last 5 years, but education policy has focused strongly on the demands of the labour market. This White Paper, together with its companion on informal learning - The Learning Revolution - give a very welcome boost to the learning needs of people in the final third of their lives.

We particularly welcome the recognition of the diversity of older people, that people need training and education to stay longer in the workforce, but also to build rewarding lives outside it. It is also pleasing that the new Adult Careers Service will recognise that people go on needing help to plan their lives after they have left paid work.

The Government's plans are ambitious and NIACE is ready to offer what support we can to ensure that an educational thread runs through such a complex mix of interlocking services. We urge our members to contribute their specialist knowledge and insights in responding to the White Paper's consultation questions by 12 October 2009."

NIACE is holding a seminar on the paper on Thursday 10 September 2009. If you would like more information, please email Gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk with the words ‘Ageing White Paper' in the subject line.