Adults in Training: An International Comparison of Continuing Education and Training.

N

39

Adult Education; Adult Learning; Adult Programs; Age Differences; Aging (Individuals); Comparative Analysis; Continuing Education; Corporations; Education Work Relationship; Educational Attainment; Educational Finance; Educational Needs; Educational Trends; Employment Level; Employment Patterns; Employment Qualifications; Enrollment Influences; Enrollment Trends; Financial Support; Foreign Countries; Job Training; Lifelong Learning; Middle Aged Adults; Needs Assessment; Older Adults; Participation; School Business Relationship; Sex Differences; Small Businesses; Training Methods; Trend Analysis; Unemployment; Young Adults

Australia; Belgium; Canada; Ireland; Netherlands; New Zealand; Poland; Switzerland; United Kingdom; United States

Data from the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) were analyzed to compare the incidence and volume of continuing education (CE) and training among adults in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The following were among the key findings of the analysis: (1) in all 10 countries, employed adults are more likely than unemployed adults to participate in CE or training; (2) participation in job-related training is substantially higher than participation in education and training undertaken for personal or other reasons; (3) participation rates do not differ substantially by gender; (4) participation rates are higher among adults who already possess higher-level educational qualifications; (5) younger adults are more likely than their older counterparts to participate in CE or training; (6) individuals working in large firms and organizations are more likely to participate in CE; and (7) in all countries studied, employers were by far the most common financial sponsors of all training and job-related training in particular. (Appended are a table detailing enrollments in education and training courses by selected populations and a table detailing responses to the IALS by target populations in the 10 study countries.) (MN)

2001

ED449346