Formal or non-formal learning – of a general or vocational nature – undertaken after initial education and training to:
- acquire general education in topics of particular interest (e. g. in open universities);
- acquire core skills not acquired earlier during initial education or training, such as literacy, numeracy – this is called compensatory learning – and thus to;
- gain access to qualifications not obtained, for various reasons, during initial education and training – this is called second chance education;
- improve or update knowledge and skills (upskilling);
- acquire new skills for a career move (retraining / reskilling);
- ensure social integration (e.g. language courses for migrants).
Source
Based on Council of the European Union, 2011; Cedefop.