Cedefop survey: Skill needs are not enough to encourage adults to participate in lifelong learning

This second edition of Cedefop Info reaches out to MEPs looking for insights on why most EU Member States have consistently underperformed in efforts to reach EU targets for adult participation in lifelong learning. It gives MEPs a preview of the results of a Cedefop survey on adult learning and continuing vocational education and training (CVET) and offers them an opportunity to discuss the findings with Cedefop’s experts.

Despite trying for 10 years, only a handful of Member States reached the EU target of 15% of adults participating in lifelong learning by 2020. The European average in 2020 was 9.2%, down from 11.8% in 2019, mostly due to the pandemic.

There is no doubt that people need to learn. Cedefop’s survey shows 88% of adults in all types of occupations say that their job requires them to keep their skills constantly up to date. Around a quarter admit that they lack some skills to do their job, either technical or general (e.g. communication). Adults are also positive about learning and recognise the need to learn.

So, why don’t more adults participate in learning? The survey suggests that motivation to learn depends on people’s individual circumstances and on when the benefits of learning are acquired.

• People’s different types of labour market transitions, not only to and from work (e.g. from unemployment to a job), but also in work, such as change of tasks or location, determine their motivation to learn, rather than characteristics such as sex, age or qualification. These transitions are unique for everyone. Unique circumstances also mean unique learning needs.
• Decisions to take part in adult learning and CVET depend, to some extent, on how soon the expected benefits will be obtained, e.g. a promotion, better pay, or a new job. But usually employers, not learners, decide if and when these benefits are obtained.

The results of Cedefop’s survey – which comprised more than 40,000 telephone interviews of adults of all ages and qualification levels – suggest that encouraging participation in adult learning and CVET requires policies that put the learner centre stage:

• To suit adults’ specific needs, adult learning and CVET must integrate learning opportunities with support measures adapted to individual circumstances. Such measures exist in many countries and include guidance to align individual and employer needs, accreditation to make learning visible, financial support and help with family responsibilities. However, often they operate separately from each other and are rarely combined to suit individual needs.
• Closer links between initial and continuing VET, with access to different types of learning dependent on need rather than age, should be part of a learner-centric approach.
• Participation in adult learning needs to be linked with ‘reward’; not all rewards are financial, different forms of recognition for participating in learning, e.g. a certification, can be rewarding and motivating.
• Finally, a ‘learner-centric’ approach is a partnership, where the benefits of learning are shared between employers and employees. Its premise is that learning is not just a reaction to new skill needs that arise, but a continual process to support adaptation to change and encourage anticipation and innovation. It addresses individuals’ learning and circumstantial needs and helps them manage the labour market transitions that are particular to them.

Cedefop has released a new briefing note presenting the results of its survey in a nutshell.

The detailed results of the survey were published by Cedefop in two volumes in 2020 and 2021 describing the different perceptions of adult learning in the EU Member States and the views of European adults on adult learning and continuing VET.

A previous briefing note on the survey, analysing and comparing results across Member States, was published in late 2020.

Interested in obtaining first-hand information from the Cedefop experts behind the survey? Steve Bainbridge and Daniel Scheuregger from our statistics team are happy to talk to you and share their insight in the survey results in English, French or German.

Keep abreast of Cedefop’s ongoing work. Started in February 2022, CEDEFOP info will be sent to the Members of the European Parliament several times per year.

For any additional information please visit our Webportal, or follow us on social media.

Login or register to our Webportal to subscribe to Cedefop’s other media products (newsletters, magazines, briefing notes, events, etc.).